The 100th Grey Cup will be contested between the Toronto Argonauts and the Calgary Stampeders, two teams that went on the road to earn their place in the Canadian football championship game.
At first glance you would think the advantage would go to the Argonauts, as they will become the 10th team since 1972 to play in a Grey Cup game that they are also hosting. However, the home team is only 4-5 over that stretch.
The East Division champions advanced to the post-season with a 9-9 record; good enough for second behind the Montreal Alouettes.
They knocked off the Edmonton Eskimos, who played in the east by virtue of a crossover playoff position, before their thrilling 27-20 triumph in the Eastern Final.
QB Ricky Ray was great in his first season in Toronto, throwing 20 touchdowns and over 4,000 yards during the regular season and then followed that up with three touchdowns and no interceptions in the Argos' two playoff victories.
Having success in all aspects of the offensive game, Argos slotback Chad Owens used receiving, rushing, kick and punt return yardage to set a pro-football, single season record for all-purpose yards and earning himself the East nomination for CFL Most Outstanding Player.
To claim a home victory and be able to parade the Grey Cup down Yonge Street this year, the Argos will have to beat the man that opposes Owens for the Most Outstanding Player award; Canadian born running back, Jon Cornish.
The New Westminster, B.C., native rushed for 1,457 yards while recording 11 touchdowns this season, as the Stampeders finished a stellar 12-6 - second best in the West Division. Cornish broke Normie Kwong's single-season rushing record for a Canadian.
In the playoffs, the Stampeders knocked off the Saskatchewan Roughriders before going on the road to eliminate the defending champion B.C. Lions in the Western Final and booking their place in the Grey Cup.
They also had to overcome the loss of starting quarterback Drew Tate, who fractured his wrist in the victory over the Roughriders and is out for the season.
Veteran pivot Kevin Glenn stepped in for the Western Final and threw three touchdowns and one interception to lead his team into the championship game.
The teams met twice this season with the Argos winning both matchups, 39-36 in Toronto and 22-14 in Calgary.
For the 100th time, the Grey Cup will be awarded to the best football team in Canada. But who is going to engrave their name on the trophy; the Toronto Argonauts or the Calgary Stampeders?
It's Your! Call.
