Collaros Out for Season, So What are Chances Argos Finish First &/or be in Grey Cup

[jerrym]

Since Collaros is now out for the season, the calculus for who finishes first or represents the East in the Grey Cup has changed. With six games to go, the Argos are one game behind the Ticats in the standings but must beat them by at least a tie point (unlikely) or a win. So they are most likely two games out of first. They are tied with Ottawa but have the series advantage already over them so a RedBlacks-Argos tie in points at the end of the season goes to the Argos. Montreal remains a full two games back of the Argos and Ottawa and three of the Ticats, so I think they are unlikely to finish first or beat the Argos since this would almost certainly mean winning their two games against the Argos.
I therefore think the Argos have a fairly good chance of finishing first especially because they play Ottawa with a week of rest and have 4 games against losing teams (Montreal - twice, BC, and Winnipeg) and only one against a team with more wins (Calgary).
If Hamilton can't find a good replacement for Collaros, which seems unlikely due to the rash of QB injuries (20 QBs have started a game as a result), they may well be for the taking.
Furthermore, since the playoffs are basically a new season, I think the Argos have an even better chance of making it to the Grey Cup than finishing first.
Of course nothing is guaranteed, and given the Argo long history of blowing games against teams they should beat on paper, nothing is doubly guaranteed.
However, if Harris does go down, they have a bonus no other team can match - Ricky Ray (even with some questions about his performance after a long injury I'd still pick him over any other backup still standing on his feet today by far).

[Ron]

Mathews is better than folks here give him credit for.

[PullTogether73]

Mathews is better than folks here give him credit for.

On what do you base that statement?

[Argo]

Mathews is better than folks here give him credit for.

He made several quite nice, difficult completions, IIRC.

[Will]

We frankly cannot start evaluating Hamilton going forward until after Friday's game. Too many backups have come in this year and played well to totally dismiss Matthews even in spite of his performance against Edmonton.

[Double Dare]

Jinx.

[1argoholic]

Hamilton needs a qb because I don't see the second and third stringers leading them anywhere. Solid team and this is the CFL so I wouldn't be writing them off just yet.

[AngeloV]

Mathews is better than folks here give him credit for.

I've said the same thing. But I don't think he is as good as ZC. I predicted Hamilton to win 3 or 4 more of their remaining 6 games which would put them at 11-7 or 12-6. If the Argos can keep playing the way they did on Saturday, I can see them winning 4 or 5 of their remaining games too, so it'll be close.

[gilthethrill]

Hamilton needs a qb because I don't see the second and third stringers leading them anywhere. Solid team and this is the CFL so I wouldn't be writing them off just yet.

But Matthews knows Condels system from college. He may do ok, but he has no running game to help him out.

[ArgoRavi]

Mathews isn't a Collaros but he will probably be good enough for the Ticats to win a few games. He actually moved the team not too badly against Edmonton but the turnovers is what killed him. I thought that, even after the third INT, Austin should have kept Mathews in the game because he was at least capable of moving the ball which 3rd stringer (with no reps) Jacory Harris was clearly incapable of doing.

[jerrym]

Although you can never be sure what will happen in a playoff game (the 5-11 1981 Ottawa Rough Riders almost defeated the vaunted Eskimos and Warren Moon in the Grey Cup), I think the Argos have an even better chance of making it to the Grey Cup than overtaking Hamilton for first as they will need to win two more games than the Tiger Can'ts to do that.

[Argo]

But Matthews knows Condels system from college. He may do ok, but he has no running game to help him out.

Good points.

[1971GreyCup]

Pro sports are more about avoiding the key mistakes, than delivering the big plays. Golf is a good example. Jury out on Matthews after his dismal debut. Look for Hamilton to shortening the field for Matthews next game. Can't go down field like
Zach. In two games we'll know if Matthews can play in the
CFL. Most QBs can't. Check with the Heisman QB in Montreal last year.

[AngeloV]

Most QBs can't. Check with the Heisman QB in Montreal last year.

To be fair, he didn't do well in the NFL either.

[jerrym]

The Argo chances of finishing first just increased slightly with the Hamilton loss to Calgary. It leaves the Argos one game behind Hamilton for first place, but the Argos have a game in hand, although they still need to win one more game than the Tiger Cats by season's end to finish first.

[ArgoRavi]

Jeff Mathews struggled in his first game as a starting QB. Other than one big play RB Mike Ford made, the Ticat offence was not very good at all tonight. This game won't do much for the team's confidence in Mathews but we will see if he plays better in his second start.

[1971GreyCup]

Jeff Mathews struggled in his first game as a starting QB. Other than one big play RB Mike Ford made, the Ticat offence was not very good at all tonight. This game won't do much for the team's confidence in Mathews but we will see if he plays better in his second start.

With that performance, a trade for Kevin Glenn would not be out of the question.

[Argo]

Jeff Mathews struggled in his first game as a starting QB. Other than one big play RB Mike Ford made, the Ticat offence was not very good at all tonight. This game won't do much for the team's confidence in Mathews but we will see if he plays better in his second start.

Very high winds, receivers' stone hands, and insufficient running game. I thought Mathews played rather well, particularly for his first start.

[gilthethrill]

Very high winds, receivers' stone hands, and insufficient running game. I thought Mathews played rather well, particularly for his first start.

Mathews gave his team a chance to win. Those conditions on the field should be noted for sure. Lots of mistakes made by his team mates as well.

[Will]

I have to agree with argo and gillthethrill that the conditions yesterday were poor enough to throw at least a little bit of mulligan Mathews way. Bo Levi didn't look like a world beater out there either.