The Grey Cup. Stampeders against Alouettes. The momentous conclusion.
Enough preamble, let's do this:
BACK'EM UP
Each week we ask someone to back up their picks. But we're talking Grey Cup here and everyone has an opinion.
Andy - Alouettes - With both Henry Burris and Anthony Calvillo performing at the top of their games, I look for the play of the running backs to be the difference in the Grey Cup. While Joffrey Reynolds has certainly established himself as one of the best backs in the league, he has struggled in the second half and tallied just 43 yards last week versus the Lions. I look for Avon Cobourne come up big for Montreal like he has all year. Cobourne appears to be back to his usual self after missing time with an ankle injury. Last week, his ability to pick up the blitz and help protect A.C. was a huge part of Montreal's success against the Eskimos. Expect the Stampeders to do everything they can to get to Calvillo on Sunday to upset his timing and disrupt his rhythm. Cobourne will be called upon once again to help in the protection schemes to protect Calvillo, don't be surprised if he makes some big plays catching the ball out of the backfield, whether on designed screen passes or simple checkdown routes. I'm calling for Cobourne to get in the end zone a couple of times. Cobourne is your MVP.
Jack - Alouettes - Calgary's two wins over Montreal were a lot closer than people seem to remember. In the first game, the Alouettes had the Stamps on the ropes and let them off the hook at the end of the game. In the second tilt, the Stamps kept their composure a little better and were the more consistent offence on the day. At this point in the season, Montreal has evolved into an ultra-consistent offence and is a more composed team than Calgary, especially in terms of picking up major penalties. They'll take this game at home, one way or the other.
D.J. - Alouettes - Montreal has home field. The Als' players already have parties planned on Ste. Catherine Street and they don't want to let the fans down. I fully expect to see Cobourne, Anwar Stewart and Ben Cahoon at Club Super Sexe with Cabbie and Tony Ambrogio after the game.
Bob - Stampeders - I've been on the Stamps to win the Grey Cup for the last three seasons. Now they finally have a chance to do it and this time they have a defence to support the offence. I hate to go against the Alouettes in their home city, but I'm gonna go with my gut.
Derek - Alouettes - It's only fitting that the toughest prediction of the season would be the final one. Now typically I've lived by the stats but keeping with that theme made this decision even harder. Calvillo had the top QB rating. Reynolds was the league's top rusher with Cobourne not far behind. Rambo led in receiving, but Richardson and Cahoon didn't trail by much. The only thing the stats prove is that the two best teams, with the league's best players, are playing for the Grey Cup. Montreal will win this game because they've been the most consistent in the CFL this season, they've got game-changers on both sides of the ball and playing in front of a home crowd the Alouettes will have the fans on their side. It should be tight, but the Als will come out on top.
Jann - Stampeders - Numbers have this thing looking even pretty much down the page, but Henry Burris has a fair bit to prove and sometimes that chip on the shoulder looks good on him. I'm seeing it coming down to who's defence gets tired first as both teams have weapons on the ground and in the air. While a Montreal win in Montreal sounds like a nice football storybook, the Stamps have a chance at a plot twist.
DIVISON FINAL RECORDS:
Andy 2-0
Jack 2-0
D.J. 1-1
Bob 2-0
Derek 1-1
Jann 1-1