THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO — Ever since leading the Eskimos to victory in the Grey Cup last November and winning MVP in the big game, Mike Reilly has assumed the top position of the Quarterback Index — until now.
There’s a new No. 1 in town this week as Stampeders pivot Bo Levi Mitchell has leapfrogged Reilly for the top spot following his performance in a win over the BC Lions in Week 9.
In a battle for first place, Mitchell never took his foot off the gas, throwing for 340 yards and a pair of touchdowns while completing 74 per cent of his passes against one of the elite defences of the CFL.
RELATED:
» Landry: 5 takeaways from Week 9
» Steinberg’s MMQB: Deja vu in Ottawa
» Collaros leads Ticats to commanding victory
» REDBLACKS announce Harris to start in Week 10
Mike Reilly has the Eskimos trending in the right direction after Week 9 (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)
Zach Collaros is also on the rise after his five-touchdown performance while Trevor Harris re-enters the discussion as he gets set to return from injury in Week 10. Meanwhile, Darian Durant and Henry Burris continue to drop after a blowout loss and a benching.
As for Reilly vs. Mitchell, this is only just the beginning. They face off in back-to-back weeks with a Labour Day home and home — a series that may tell the tale of the two Alberta quarterbacks so far this season.
In a one-game, winner-take-all, which quarterback would you want leading your club? Our rankings heading into Week 10:
Bo Levi Mitchell CGY
This Week: 1 | Last Week: 2
Just when you thought the BC Lions would provide a stern test in a battle of the CFL’s top two teams, Bo Levi Mitchell made career win No. 34 look easy. The Katy, Texas native has 14 touchdowns and just four interceptions this season and has moved to 34-7-1 in his so-far illustrious career. He’s neck and neck with Mike Reilly but for now he’s the best there is.
Mike Reilly EDM
This Week: 2 | Last Week: 1
On pace to finish with the second-highest single season passing yards total in CFL history, Mike Reilly continues to produce at a massive clip. He’s also got his Eskimos playing winning football on the heels of a 46-23 blowout win over the Toronto Argonauts. There’s very little separating him and Mitchell but the Stamps’ winning ways have made the difference.
Jonathon Jennings BC
This Week: 3 | Last Week: 3
Jonathon Jennings showed for the second time this season that he is indeed human, completing fewer than half of his 22 passing attempts before being pulled in a loss to the Calgary Stampeders. Consistency is the biggest issue for young quarterbacks and Jennings will have to bounce back if he’s going to hold off Zach Collaros.
Zach Collaros HAM
This Week: 4 | Last Week: 6
He’s back, and in a big way. In his second start back from injury, Zach Collaros threw for 381 yards and five touchdowns without any interceptions in a blowout win over the Riders. Expectations needed to be tempered, but it looks like No. 4 is on his way back to the MOP-calibre level of play he demonstrated well into September last season.
Trevor Harris OTT
This Week: 5 | Last Week: IR
Will the Trevor Harris show pick up where it left off when Harris was injured during a Week 5 loss to the Riders? He’s back this week and if so, it won’t be long until he’s back near the top. No quarterback has been more productive in 2016 than Harris but now the pressure and expectations will be greater. The fact that he’s fifth on the list tells you the strength of quarterback depth in the CFL right now.
Matt Nichols WPG
This Week: 6 | Last Week: 5
Harris’ return means Matt Nichols falls, but that’s the only reason the Bombers’ new starting quarterback drops from fifth to sixth on the Quarterback Index. Nichols led the Bombers to three straight wins and has put up respectable numbers in the process.
Kevin Glenn MTL
This Week: 7 | Last Week: 8
Just when you thought he might be fading away, Kevin Glenn went out Friday night and threw five touchdown passes in a decisive road win against the East Division-leading Ottawa REDBLACKS. Impressive stuff and the Alouettes should have new hope because of it.
Darian Durant SSK
This Week: 8 | Last Week: 7
A one-sided loss like the Riders’ 53-7 defeat handed to them by the Ticats in Week 9 is never any one player’s fault, but Darian Durant didn’t help his cause. He hadn’t thrown an interception since 2014, but on Saturday evening in Hamilton he was picked off by Orlondo Steinauer’s defence four times. Durant hasn’t been able to make a difference for the 1-7 Riders.
Henry Burris OTT
This Week: 9 | Last Week: 4
The 41-year-old Henry Burris has had ample time to show he belongs as the starting quarterback in Ottawa but just hasn’t been able to escape the shadow of Trevor Harris. Now Harris will be the starter as the REDBLACKS look to bounce back from a run of three losses in their last four games.
Travis Lulay BC
This Week: 10 | Last Week: 10
Travis Lulay got to play some in the Lions’ Week 9 loss to Calgary but really fared no better than Jonathon Jennings, completing four of seven passes for 19 yards and failing to get the offence in the end zone.
Travis Lulay remains a valuable insurance policy for the Lions behind Jonathon Jennings (The Canadian Press)
Logan Kilgore TOR
This Week: 11 | Last Week: 9
Looking to bounce back from a miserable five-interception performance at home against the Bombers in Week 8, Logan Kilgore struggled for the second straight week, throwing for only 41 yards on 7-of-14 passing before being pulled for Cody Fajardo. Ricky Ray could return for the Argos’ next game in Week 11, otherwise it’s unknown whether Kilgore gets another start.
Jeremiah Masoli
This Week: 12 | Last Week: 11
The Ticats are Zach Collaros’ team, but Jeremiah Masoli will be ready if called upon. He’s proven he can be a reliable backup with the ability to start over long stretches of time if needed.
Injured Reserve
Quarterbacks not currently active won’t be ranked in the QB Index but will be added when healthy.
Ricky Ray TOR
This Week: IR | Last Week: IR
More struggles from the Argos’ passing game has fans clamouring for the return of Ricky Ray, who the team hopes will return in time for two games in Week 11.
