CFL PREVIEW 5 The Edmonton Sun n THURSDAY, JUNE 26, 2014 EDMONTON ESKIMOS Reading the CFL’s tea leaves Our Eskimos writers fearlessly predict how the league will shake out over the 2014 season WEST DIVISION 1. B.C. LIONS n Betting line favourite, but Travis Lulay isn’t ready to start the season and there’s plenty of pressure as Grey Cup hosts. 2. CALGARY STAMPEDERS n Are Bo Levi Mitchell and Drew Tate going to lead John Hufnagel’s team to the promised land? 3. SASK. ROUGHRIDERS n Lost a few key components on offence. With Grey Cup hangover expect slow start. 4. EDMONTON ESKIMOS n Most improved team in the league. Should be 10-8. But that’s on paper. 5. WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS n Going to regret they’re back in the West. EAST DIVISION 1. TORONTO ARGOS n Keep Ricky Ray healthy and they should be able to finish first despite losses on defence with Jones departure. 2. HAMILTON TIGER-CATS n Just because they got to Grey Cup last year doesn’t mean they’ll be back. 3. MONTREAL ALOUETTES n Life without Anthony Calvillo is going to have the same effect on Als as Eskimos losing Ricky Ray. 4. OTTAWA ROUGE ET NOIR n It’ll take a while despite excellent job putting team together. TERRY JONES GERRY MODDEJONGE CON GRIWKOWSKY WEST DIVISION 1. CALGARY STAMPEDERS n Any team with Jon Cornish on it has to be a contender. 2. SASK. ROUGHRIDERS n Plenty of changes on Grey Cup champs roster. 3. EDMONTON ESKIMOS n This team will go as far as its defence allows. 4. B.C. LIONS n Will be in heated playoff battle with Eskimos all season. 5. WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS n At least they’re back in the right division. EAST DIVISION 1. TORONTO ARGOS n As long as Ricky Ray continues to let his receivers do the work. 2. HAMILTON TIGER-CATS n Zach Collaros showed last season he’s a legitimate CFL starter. 3. MONTREAL ALOUETTES n A franchise whose downward spiral not even Ocho Cinco can reverse. 4. OTTAWA REDBLACKS n Rick Campbell a rookie head coach in an expansion franchise. WEST DIVISION 1. SASK. ROUGHRIDERS n Losing big names to the NFL means reinforcements come September. They shored up their running backs stable with Hugh Charles. 2. CALGARY STAMPEDERS n Bolstered by the best 2014 draft of any CFL club, they have the league’s top running back and he’s Canadian. Their biggest question is at QB. 3. EDMONTON ESKIMOS n They could be twice as good as last season and still not reach .500. A new head coach is the fastest way to put a 4-14 record behind them. 4. B.C. LIONS n Not only is their starting QB coming off of shoulder surgery, but they are missing a staggering number of veterans. 5. WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS n Their biggest problem is getting bumped from an East Division where there would at least be an expansion team to kick around. EAST DIVISION 1. HAMILTON TIGER-CATS n Made a push all the way to the Grey Cup final a year ago and only got better over the off-season. 2. TORONTO ARGOS n A healthy Ricky Ray has shown he can put up ridiculously efficient passing numbers in Milanovich’s offence. 3. MONTREAL ALOUETTES n The acquisition of larger-than-life Chad Johnson helps the Alouettes, but ocho might be the number of wins this team is looking at. 4. OTTAWA REDBLACKS n No one expects miracles in a franchise season. Slow and steady wins the race, but strike three and you’re out. [email protected] [email protected] @SunModdejonge [email protected] @sunterryjones