August 29, 2016

Quarterback Index: 1 and 2 clash at last

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 — After taking over top spot in the Quarterback Index a week ago, Bo Levi Mitchell assumes the first position with another flawless performance on Sunday night — a 323-yard effort with a 73 per cent completion rate, a touchdown and no interceptions.

While the top three remain static, the middle of the pack continues to be a shuffle. Zach Collaros drops despite throwing for 439 yards against the Stampeders, while Matt Nichols and Trevor Harris each move up a spot thanks to strong Week 10 performances.

RELATED:
» Mitchell, Stamps grind it out vs. Ticats
» Steinberg’s MMQB: Return to relevance in the ‘Peg
» Campbell laments ‘negative football’ in REDBLACKS’ loss
» By the Numbers: Reilly, Mitchell lead the pack

Zach-Collaros-2016-8

Collaros falls in the ranking despite throwing for 439 yards in a loss to Calgary (The Canadian Press)

Meanwhile, the return of Ricky Ray to the Argos bumps veterans Kevin Glenn and Darian Durant down, but Ray will have to produce immediately for the Argos in order to avoid slipping.

In Week 11 comes the fun part, as Mitchell and Reilly (first and second respectively) go head to head for the first of back to back matchups in the Labour Day Classic, as do Collaros and Ray (sixth and seventh).

In a one-game, winner-take-all, which quarterback would you want leading your club? Our rankings heading into Week 11:

Bo Levi Mitchell CGY
This Week: 1 | Last Week: 1

Mike Reilly had a solid day but Bo Levi Mitchell was pretty much perfect in the Stamps’ win over Hamilton, keeping him No. 1 atop the rankings. A career winning percentage of .833 (35-7-1) and a TD:INT ratio nearing 4:1 give the Katy, Texas native the edge over Reilly, but two straight head to head matchups in Week 11 and 12 will truly tell the tale.

Mike Reilly EDM
This Week: 2 | Last Week: 2

Reilly wasn’t perfect in a 33-25 win over the Riders, throwing an interception and mostly sitting on a 22-3 first-half lead (the Eskimos were outscored 22-11 in the second half against the league’s worst-ranked team). Still, leading the league in passing yards (3,096) and touchdowns (16), Reilly is closer to first than he is third in the Quarterback Index. Bring on Labour Day.

Jonathon Jennings BC
This Week: 3 | Last Week: 3

He needed to bounce back in Week 11 and did he ever. Jonathon Jennings made Lions fans forget about a one-sided Week 9 loss to Calgary, going on the road in Ottawa and playing pretty close to perfect ball. The 24-year-old is putting together a memorable sophomore season (12 touchdowns, five interceptions and third in the league in passing yards) and has room to grow.

Trevor Harris OTT
This Week: 4 | Last Week: 5

In his first start back from injury, Trevor Harris picked up exactly where he left off with 352 passing yards, a touchdown, no interceptions and a 76.7 per cent completion percentage. Currently leading the league in completion percentage (81.1), QB rating (136.5) and yards per attempt (11.6), the loss to Jennings’ Lions is likely the only thing holding Harris out of third.

 

Matt Nichols WPG
This Week: 5 | Last Week: 6

Just keep winning, baby. That’s what Matt Nichols continues to do, leading the Bombers to their fourth straight win despite his unspectacular numbers vs. Montreal. Nichols can manage football games and create the big play when he needs to, but other than that he’s done a nice job of leaning on the CFL’s most opportunistic defence. You can’t argue with results.

Zach Collaros HAM
This Week: 6 | Last Week: 4

Hard to drop a guy who’s thrown for 1,151 yards in three starts (383.7 yards per game), but that’s just how tight the quarterbacks are battling right now. A 1-2 record in three starts is part of the reason why, but when the losses are on the road to Calgary and BC (the two top teams in the league) there’s very little to worry about. At this rate, Collaros won’t be here long.

Ricky Ray TOR
This Week: 7 | Last Week: IR

Argos fans may have a newfound appreciation for Ricky Ray after Logan Kilgore went 1-2 and threw nine interceptions across three starts. Ray’s TD:INT ratio of 9:1 is much-welcomed back in the Argo lineup, and for the first time this season he’ll have a full complement of weapons as Tori Gurley, Vidal Hazelton, Kevin Elliott and Diontae Spencer are all set to play.

Kevin Glenn MTL
This Week: 8 | Last Week: 7

It looked like the Alouettes’ offence was starting to turn the corner, but a four-interception game from Kevin Glenn stalled any progress — at least for Week 10. Glenn ranks fourth in the league in yards but has thrown the second-most interceptions (9). It’s a question of which Alouettes team will show up every week and the veteran pivot is part of it.

Darian Durant SSK
This Week: 9 | Last Week: 8

Since returning from injury on Aug. 4, Darian Durant has thrown just one touchdown pass and been intercepted four times. The 1-8 Riders are a work in progress but need more from their franchise pivot if they have any hope at all of jumping back in the race in the West this season.

Henry Burris OTT
This Week: 10 | Last Week: 9

Relegated to backup duty, the reigning MOP is the top-ranked backup in the CFL. The 41-year-old Henry Burris should have no problem providing a spark if Trevor Harris gets injured or struggles as the 4-4-1 REDBLACKS look to get their season back on track.

Travis Lulay BC
This Week: 11 | Last Week: 10

While he drops a spot due to Ricky Ray returning, Travis 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.

Logan Kilgore TOR
This Week: 12 | Last Week: 11

A league-worst 10 interceptions and being pulled in a loss to Edmonton hasn’t done wonders for Logan Kilgore’s confidence, but Scott Milanovich appears to still believe in the 26-year-old pivot. A chance to sit and reflect could prove valuable for Kilgore, who remains second on the Argos’ depth chart ahead of Dan LeFevour and Cody Fajardo.