THE CANADIAN PRESS
The CFL.ca Quarterback Index is a weekly power ranking of quarterbacks across the CFL. The ranking reflects recent performance, historical value, statistical indicators, team success and overall on-field play.
TORONTO — In the first matchup of the season against his provincial counterpart, Bo Levi Mitchell and the Stamps showed with a fair bit of certainty who’s best in Alberta. Outside of that, however, the picture gets cloudy.
Trevor Harris, Jonathon Jennings, Matt Nichols and Zach Collaros also all came up big for their team in wins on Mark’s Labour Day Weekend, while Ricky Ray and Darian Durant were hard-luck losers after putting up gaudy numbers themselves.
RELATED:
» Landry: 5 takeaways from Mark’s Labour Day Weekend
» Steinberg’s MMQB: Stamps in a league of their own
» Mitchell guides Stamps to seventh straight win
» ‘Cats claw back on record-setting Labour Day
Zach Collaros and Kent Austin during the Ticats’ Labour Day win over the Argos (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)
Collaros was most impressive after throwing for 359 yards and four touchdowns in a spectacular passing attack and come from behind victory against the Argos. He’s now eclipsed 300 passing yards in all four games he’s played in this year and could enter the MOP discussion with his quarterback rating of 123.7 (second among starters behind Trevor Harris).
While Mitchell and Reilly remain a safe distance ahead of the rest, can Collaros and the others continue to make a strong push?
In a one-game, winner-take-all, which quarterback would you want leading your club? Our rankings heading into Week 12:
Bo Levi Mitchell CGY
This Week: 1 | Last Week: 1
Seven straight wins and an .837 career winning percentage (36-7-1) — that’s all that really needs to be said about Bo Levi Mitchell right now. Mitchell clearly outclassed Mike Reilly in a 45-24 Labour Day win over the Eskimos, throwing for 380 yards and a pair of touchdowns. As long as the Stamps keep winning, Mitchell’s spot on this list isn’t changing.
Mike Reilly EDM
This Week: 2 | Last Week: 2
While Mitchell held up his end, the shootout anticipated between the league’s top two quarterbacks on Labour Day never came to fruition as Mike Reilly struggled in the annual holiday Monday matinee. The Stamps’ defence held the CFL’s leading passer to a season-low 219 yards and a completion percentage of 63.9 to go with two interceptions while the Esks fell to fourth in the West.
Jonathon Jennings BC
This Week: 3 | Last Week: 3
It wasn’t his best night by any means (199 yards, one interception), but in the end, Jonathon Jennings went a perfect 4-for-4 in engineering a nine-play scoring drive that took 3:32 off the clock and gave the Lions a last-play field goal for the win. Back to back road wins down East with the second coming on a short week? We see you, kid.
Zach Collaros HAM
This Week: 4 | Last Week: 6
A fumble returned for a touchdown and an interception had Zach Collaros and the ‘Cats playing catch up from the get-go — but it was nothing No. 4 couldn’t handle. Collaros threw for 359 yards and four touchdown passes, leading the Ticats on a run of 42-9 for the comeback victory over the Argos on Labour Day.
» RELATED: Collaros, Ray put on highest-scoring Labour Day ever
Zach Collaros and Ricky Ray meet following the Ticats’ win over Toronto (THE CANADIAN PRESS)
Trevor Harris OTT
This Week: 5 | Last Week: 4
It wasn’t pretty, but Trevor Harris did what he needed to in leading Ottawa to a 19-14 win. That ended a stretch of four losses in five games, as Harris protected the football and threw a third quarter touchdown to Ernest Jackson to lead the REDBLACKS from behind over Montreal. No starting quarterback has a better rating than Harris at 128.4.
Matt Nichols WPG
This Week: 6 | Last Week: 5
For those questioning Matt Nichols’ production during the Bombers’ ongoing winning streak, their new starting quarterback answered with his best statistical outing of the season. Nichols threw for a season-high 341 yards and a touchdown in a thrilling Sunday afternoon win over the rival Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Ricky Ray TOR
This Week: 7 | Last Week: 7
The Argos lost their fourth in a row and Ricky Ray’s position remains static in the QB Index — but the veteran pivot is trending toward a rise up. Ray looked like his 2013 self in throwing for a season-high 386 yards and three touchdowns, including 17 straight completions to open the game. At 36, Ray is showing he’s got plenty left in the tank.
Darian Durant SSK
This Week: 8 | Last Week: 9
The bad news is the Riders lost again, and in heartbreaking fashion in the annual Labour Day classic against Winnipeg. The good news is Durant seems to be on the same page with his young receivers, namely Caleb Holley and Ricky Collins. If the veteran quarterback can stay healthy, don’t rule out a second-half run by the Riders.
Kevin Glenn MTL
This Week: 9 | Last Week: 8
After struggling for the second straight start, it looks as though Kevin Glenn is getting a demotion. Rakeem Cato will reportedly start for the Als after Glenn threw two interceptions and generated only 14 points in a loss to Ottawa.
» RELATED: Alouettes set to roll with Cato at QB
Rakeem Cato is ready for another shot as the Als’ starting QB (Peter McCabe/CFL.ca)
Rakeem Cato MTL
This Week: 10 | Last Week: —
Held below the 20 point plateau in seven of 10 games this season, the Alouettes are making the move to Cato under centre. The 24-year-old Marshall grad looked like the future in Montreal when pressed into action a year ago, but after since struggling, this may be his career-defining opportunity. Cato completed 72 per cent of his passes but struggled in his only start of 2016 vs. Hamilton.
Henry Burris OTT
This Week: 11 | Last Week: 10
Harris got the REDBLACKS back to their winning ways, but Henry Burris will be standing by ready to go if called upon for any reason. It’s a luxury having the reigning Most Outstanding Player on the bench at the most crucial position.
Travis Lulay BC
This Week: 12 | Last Week: 11
Cato’s step into a starting role drops Travis Lulay on the list, but don’t underestimate the former MOP’s value. Lulay is a solid veteran backup — something every contending team should have. His veteran experience is also valuable in the evolution of the young Jennings.
