With the Calgary Stampeders' wild shootout win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the Toronto Argonauts' comparatively tame handling of the Edmonton Eskimos, the Western and Eastern Finals matchups are set.
That gives us a week to look at the individual matchups in each of these games; the ones likely to have the most influence over which team advances to the Grey Cup, and which goes home a week too soon.
In BC, there's an intriguing battle at the QB spot. Calgary's Drew Tate, fully returned from the injury that cost him most of the regular season, has reclaimed his title as the next big thing in the CFL. Concussion protocol questions aside, Tate's legend only grew with his outstanding second half against Saskatchewan in the Western Semi-Final.
It wasn't too long ago, however, that BC Lions QB Travis Lulay held that title. Now, with a Grey Cup win and Most Outstanding Player award to his name, the 29-year-old has graduated from being the next big thing and is now among the superstars of the league.
Another key matchup in the Western Final is at running back. It is a rare year a Canadian runner has the impact of a Jon Cornish or Andrew Harris. That the two are having their outstanding seasons at the same time makes it all the more uncommon and special for fans.
The Eastern Final also houses some significant individual matchups. Argonauts head coach Scott Milanovich spent four years with the Montreal Alouettes learning under head coach Marc Trestman. Milanovich already has the contract extension; beating one of his coaching mentors would likely ensure he considers his first year in Toronto a successful one.
And while the Western Final is a matchup of up-and-coming stars at the QB position, the Eastern Final pits two of the league's elder statesmen against each other: Toronto's Ricky Ray and Montreal's Anthony Calvillo. Between the two, a combined five Grey Cup rings, meaning the Eastern Final could come down to a battle of veteran QB savvy.
The Rouge asks: What is the most intriguing matchup in the Western and Eastern Finals? As always, it's Your! Call.
