These rankings are not totally useless, however, since they've given the 'Eh' Factor an idea into compiling statistics to determine how exciting the team is in played games. While close defensive battles may be a signature of the game of football, we all know that long bombs and high scores put butts in the seats and close games keep you tuned in on the couch.
Call these what you will. 'Excitement Rankings' suffice for us.
Youtube highlights this week were shockingly slim. Despite several highlight-reel plays, we've been reduced to a bleacher video of Stephen Jyles doing what he's done in the CFL for the past three years, only this time he's the starting quarterback.
The shocking thing about this video is that all the Edmonton Eskimo players on the field actually arrived at the right stadium, on time, and all of their shoes appear to be done up. Once the weather gets cold, it'll be interesting to see whether coach Richie Hall sews their mittens to their sleeve cuffs.
1: Montreal Alouettes
For the first time, the Als played in a game that was decided before the fourth quarter, but they still retained the top spot in the excitement rankings because they score a lot of points and throw for over 300 yards a game, and in 75 per cent of their games the kicker hasn't come in to kick 7 FGs. They've scored 8 passing touchdowns to just one rushing touchdown.
2: Toronto Argonauts
Somehow 3-1, and somehow in second place in the Excitement Rankings after a comeback win over the Lions, based on *sigh* running and defense, running and defense. Cleo Lemon, despite a 3:4 TD:Interception ratio, is looking like the best quarterback in double blue since Damon Allen. That includes Buffalo Bills quarterbacks who have played at Rogers Centre.
3: Saskatchewan Roughriders
Letting Calgary run them up is embarassing enough, but losing their spot in the Excitement Rankings to Toronto is cause enough to fire the front office. The media's honeymoon with Darian Durant seems to be over. Even the level-headed Peter James is getting in on the feeding frenzy, mentioning Durant's "invincibility" as a loser in Week 4.
Don't fret, Rider fans, you get Hamilton in Week 5 at home.
4: Calgary Stampeders
Next year I may include turnovers in my formula to determine the most exciting teams, because Henry Burris has been throwing picks in such a comical manner I keep expecting Moe to burst out of the tunnel at McMahon and slap him. Nine touchdowns is tops in the CFL, but as is eight interceptions.
5: Hamilton Tiger-Cats
It's only Week 4, but the playoff picture seems obvious at this point. Hamilton, Winnipeg and BC are going to be fighting for five wins and the final Western Division-slash-crossover berth.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Truth seems to be who are looking at game film in Hamilton.
6: Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Back into 6th place in the Excitement Rankings thanks to a strategically-scheduled game against Edmonton. An obscene amount of points? Check. Close until the finish? NOPE! The Bombers have only seen one lead change hands in the fourth quarter, giving one up to the Argonauts in Week 2. Other than that, they've played in blowout games, which does not bode well for a team going into Calgary.
7: Edmonton Eskimos
The difference between the Eskimos and the Lions in these rankings is 3 passing yards, about six possessions worth of productivity from these two miserable football teams.
8: BC Lions
Emmanuel Arcenaux, a receiver for the Lions, dropped several passes and failed to make a key cut on an interception returned by Byron Parker which gave Toronto the late lead, took to Twitter after the game:
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This week is interesting. The Thursday game has teams #1 and #2 going head-to-head, as well as teams #7 and #8. Unfortunately for TSN, the latter game is the Friday Night game, and a late start.
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