While football is the ultimate team sport, there are no shortage of individual players who could play an integral role in this year's Grey Cup.
It could be a quarterback dismantling the opposition's secondary with eye-popping yardage and multiple touchdowns. Both teams utilize running backs who are capable of running over and around a defensive front seven to scamper the length of the field or grind out the tough yards to kill the clock. The passing game always provides plenty of offensive weapons that can turn the tide with a big catch and provide last-second heroics. And, while it's rare, defensive stars and special teamers can take their game to a different level, make numerous big plays and take the top individual award.
So who do you think will be the MVP of the 100th Grey Cup?
Let's take a look at some of the likely candidates.
In a quarterback-driven league, Ricky Ray and Kevin Glenn have played big roles to help get their teams to Sunday's big game.
Ray was brought in before the season and, while he started slowly, he has become everything the Argonauts hoped he would be. He passed for more than 4,000 yards with 20 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 14 starts in the regular season. In the playoffs, he has three majors and no interceptions with the Argonauts scoring 69 points in two games.
Glenn started the season as the back-up to Drew Tate but led the Stampeders to a 9-5 record during Tate's absence in the regular season. When Tate was injured in the Western Semi-Final, Glenn again stepped up and now has the chance to start in the Grey Cup, something that eluded him in 2007 when he was out with a broken arm as the pivot for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The running back position is another story of one player carrying the hopes of his team from Day 1 and another stepping in and producing after getting promoted.
Canadian Jon Cornish supplanted veteran Joffrey Reynolds in the Stampeders backfield and did not disappoint. The Most Outstanding Player finalist led the league in rushing with 1,457 yards and broke a 56-year-old record for rushing yards by a Canadian. In many ways, as Cornish goes, so go the Stampeders.
Chad Kackert was not the feature back when the Argonauts broke training camp in June. Cory Boyd was the go-to guy and was leading the league in rushing when he was abruptly released in August. Kackert literally took the ball and ran with it, finishing the year with 638 yards rushing and five touchdowns. He has followed that up with two outstanding playoff performances.
At receiver, Most Outstanding Player finalist Chad Owens is key for the Argonauts while Nik Lewis finished the season with 100 receptions for the Stampeders.
On defence, defensive end Charleston Hughes could cause fits for the Argonauts offensive line and defensive back Keon Raymond will be looking to produce some turnovers in the secondary. For the Argonauts, linebacker Robert McCune will have his eyes on Cornish while defensive backs Patrick Watkins and Jordan Younger will have their eyes on any errant throws from Glenn.
On special teams, Owens is a game-changer for the Argonauts while Stampeders' returner Larry Taylor has a history of coming up with the big play at the right time.
While there is no doubt that both teams boast a strong cast of characters with the ability to have a huge impact on Sunday's outcome, only one can win the top individual award.
Who do you think will be the MVP of the 100th Grey Cup?
It's Your! Call.
