Previous: Introduction The East Division
The CFL’s nine teams are divided into 2 divisions: East and West. Today we’ll be focusing on the 5 West Division teams.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Home Stadium: Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg MB
Most Recent Championship: 2021
2023 Record: 14-4 in Regular Season, Won Western Final vs BC, Lost Grey Cup vs Montreal
The Bombers have pretty effectively run the league the last couple years. They’ve managed four consecutive Grey Cup appearances in the last four seasons and have won two. They’re an extremely talented and consistent team, and I would be very surprised if they weren’t in the Grey Cup picture again this year. They’ve managed to keep the core of their team together through the off season, so I’m not expecting a wild shift from how they performed last season. In fact, quarterback Chris Streveler, who was part of their original 2019 Grey Cup squad, has returned from the NFL to back up Zach Collaros. This team is getting older though, and it’s only a matter of time before their window as a serious contender closes. That said, they’re still one of, if not the best team in the league, so they’ll be a major threat and a smart bet to win the whole thing.
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Home Stadium: Mosaic Stadium, Regina SK
Most Recent Championship: 2013
2023 Record: 6-12, Did not qualify for playoffs
The Riders have been thoroughly mediocre the last couple of years after several strong seasons in the late 2010’s up to 2021. Back to back 6-12 seasons failing to make the playoffs mean they’re not the worst team in the league, but certainly stuck in a slump. There have, however, been some major shake-ups in the off season. They’ve made some additions on both sides of the ball, most notably excellent running back AJ Oulette who joins the team after several very impressive seasons in Toronto. In addition, former Toronto defensive coordinator Corey Mace, who won the 2022 Grey Cup in his first season in that role, is taking over head coach duties. Saskatchewan has stiff competition in the West Division, but if they can pull it together, they may be able to rock the boat.
EDMONTON ELKS
Home Stadium: Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton AB
Most Recent Championship: 2015
2023 Record: 4-14, Did not qualify for playoffs
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. The Elks ran this league in the 80’s, have won more Grey Cups since the founding of the CFL in 1958 than any other team in the league, and have been regular contenders in almost every season since. However, they’ve been on a downward slide for years now, and last year hit rock bottom. Last season they only won four games, and their only consolation is that they finally won at home for the first time since 2019. The former leaders in attendance have seen a sharp decline, to the point where they’ve had to close the upper bowl in Commonwealth Stadium. Chris Jones continues to coach the team, despite loud opposition from the fans. The story isn’t all bad, however. Canadian quarterback Tre Ford remains a favourite of not just Elks fans, but fans across the league. In addition, McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who was the starting quarterback for the 2022 Grey Cup champion Argos, has returned from a season in the UFL to lead the team on offence. For 2024, the Elks are trying to regain some of their lost dignity and at least post an even record.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Home Stadium: McMahon Stadium, Calgary AB
Most Recent Championship: 2018
2023 Record: 6-12, Lost Western Semi-final vs BC
Calgary are stuck in that awkward period of mediocrity where you’re not a contender any more but haven’t completely tanked. The Stamps were the dominant team in the league in the middle-late 2010’s, but they’ve fallen off sharply since the start of the pandemic. Calgary aren’t good enough to seriously compete, but also not bad enough to gawk at. With the stiff competition in the West Division, it’s unlikely that the Stampeders are going to perform much better than last season. The players aren’t bad, but they lack anyone really electric. Some clever or lucky trades during the season could change things around, but I don’t think that’s particularly likely.
BC LIONS
Home Stadium: BC Place, Vancouver BC
Most Recent Championship: 2011
2023 Record: 12-6, Won Western Semi-final vs Calgary, Lost Western Final vs Winnipeg
The Lions have been a joy to watch the last two years. Bolstered by new ownership that really promotes and supports the team, they have been great on and off the field. One could arguably say that they’ve been victims of their own success, losing outstanding Canadian QB Nathan Rourke and linebacker Matthieu Betts to the NFL in the last two years. The team is still one of the best in the league, and a serious threat to the dominant Bombers. They’ve made the West Finals the last two years in a row, and lost to Winnipeg both times. This team is young and hungry, and I’m very much looking forward to seeing how they perform this year. They’re not the favourites to win it all, but they’ve come close more than once, and I do love an underdog.
NEXT WEEK:
Games! Well, game. The preseason starts Monday May 20 at 4PM EDT with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. The Saskatchewan Roughriders.