After all of Saskatchewan is back on the bandwagon, the climb to the top of the CFL's West Division heats up since Calgary went into a bit of a funk. After losing to the Green and White two weeks ago in overtime it doesn't get any better for the Stamps, as they take on Montreal the next two weeks.
The Riders will face Toronto and if all goes according to plan, Saskatchewan should be perched on top of the West Division before Calgary goes back to Regina Oct. 17 and Rider Nation gets another chance to serenade Smilin' Hank.
Things are getting exciting in the eight-team league, but that brings me to my point this week; the fact there are eight teams in all of Canada.
Ottawa will soon be returning to the league since it appears they have collected enough recyclable cans and bottles to make another go financially in the CFL. A team in the nation's capital is a no doubter, but where next? A 10-team CFL would make for a more complete coast-to-coast league and will give those CIS stars a better chance to play professional football.
After the first regular season game was played in Atlantic Canada in Moncton, N.B. on the weekend, the East Coast is the logical place for a 10th team. The hope is that Moncton, Halifax and area can make it a regional team like the Roughriders in Saskatchewan.
It would be great to see and when Winnipeg moves back into the West the Labour Day and Bonjo Bowl will be that much more exciting. For those who are afraid of the CFL getting too watered down, this is an amateur league compared to the NFL. A league for the workingman and the more fans know the players personally the more they will show up and watch. The CFL is a strong a marketable product.
Just look at the number of people in Hamilton who went to watch. Andy Fantuz. He had nearly an entire section and that was a road game. You don't see an American like Geroy Simon doing that.
The CFL is arguably the most exciting it has ever been to watch, I say that is largely due to the fact the Riders are now respectable in the league and the tables have turned on Edmonton and B.C. who caused provincial frustration for decades in Saskatchewan. The Riders moved away from the handoff, handoff offensive strategy they used for years, which I am sure led to a league record of two-and-outs in a season. The other reason is because, in the Canadian Football League, anything can happen and fans are excited.
What will happen first, 10 teams in the CFL or seven Canadian teams in the NHL?
