On November 26, 2017, the Toronto Argonauts lifted the Grey Cup for the 17th time in the franchise’s history, the record count for the CFL. But, it’s the subplot which has captured the imaginations of many fans as we approach the 2018 CFL season.
Having dominated the regular season once again, the Stamps were the heavy favourites to win the Grey Cup once again. However, the Grey Cup final ended in bitter disappointment for the Calgary Stampeders for the second year running.
With a new season comes a new challenge. The player rankings are in for the 2018 CFL Draft, scheduled for May 3, and many big offseason moves have been made. So, let’s look into which teams are currently set to impress, and who the bookies are backing, when the season rolls around on June 15.
Is it finally Calgary’s year?
Roy Finch all-in on new-look Calgary Stampeders lineup https://t.co/5aBmrHj3Ce pic.twitter.com/9iHs7MkvEk
— Calgary Herald (@calgaryherald) March 23, 2018
The biggest debate surrounds the Calgary Stampeders and if they can finally win the Grey Cup. In the last six seasons, the Stamps have reached the final four times, winning once (2014). Despite the loss, Calgary was the better team in the Grey Cup last year so expectations are high for them once again.
Most power rankings place Calgary as the best team in the CFL. They have been so dominant in the regular season and appear to return with the most talented team once again. Calgary did lose Charleston Hughes and Jerome Messam to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, but with one of the best quarterbacks in the league in Bo Levi Mitchell, they’re sure to dominate again.
Battling to become the favourite again, the Stampeders appear to have earned the favour of many online casinos with integrated sportsbooks. The Karamba casino review shows that the Canada-friendly site boasts a sportsbook which currently holds the Stampeders as the favourites to win the Grey Cup at +210. Behind the Stamps, the Winnipeg and Saskatchewan are the second-favourites back at +650.
In the eyes of the experts, the odds, and many fans, this will finally be Calgary’s year.
What happened to Toronto?
Hey @dameshek since you're the uniform monitor, can the Toronto Argonauts have theirs back now? pic.twitter.com/xSFy1qYlFr
— David Williams (@Crickhowell) April 5, 2018
During the offseason, the Toronto Argonauts fans got their wish and saw hero quarterback Ricky Ray sign a one-year extension. On top of this, they picked up their future QB from the Edmonton Eskimos in James Franklin. So Toronto is fully prepared for life after Ray – who is now 38-years-old.
Along with star receiver S.J Green returning, Toronto has had a good offseason so far but other teams like the Blue Bombers and Roughriders have excelled to rank above the reigning champions. Regardless, the Argos should still challenge for the East Division title.
It’s set to be an exciting CFL season; let’s see if it’ll be another great season ending in disappointment for the Stamps.
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