CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO -- For the second-straight year, the CFL.ca Power Rankings will pit Matthew Cauz against The Machine. Last season, The Machine topped Cauz in a bitter competition that lasted until the final week.

Who will come out on top in 2012?

Click here for a more detailed explanation of the CFL.ca Power Rankings.

Here are the Week #18 Mathematical Power Rankings:

The Machine
Rank	Team	Points	Previous	Change
1		6.6	1
2		3.5	2
3		1.4	4
4		1.2	6
5		-0.7	3
6		-0.9	8
7		-2.8	5
8		-8.3	7

Matthew Cauz | CFL.ca Columnist

British Columbia Lions (12-5)
I'm giving the Lions a half-mulligan for that embarrassment of a performance against Calgary. You could almost see this game coming considering they were on the road, it was a cold night and most importantly the game meant nothing to the Lions.

Now I can only give "half" a mulligan because it would be insulting to the Stampeders to say this result was solely about indifference. It would also be a slap in the face of the Lions to say they quit; they are professionals and it wouldn't be right to not credit Calgary for capitalizing on every mistake, for dominating at the line of scrimmage and treating the home crowd to a good old fashioned beat down.  
 
Montreal Alouettes (11-6)
I’m tired of writing glowing things about the organization and Anthony Calvillo. Instead, I'll go with the quirky stat gimmick. I think we need to modify the position that Adrian McPherson is listed as on this website.

Technically he is a "quarterback" but the dude has four times as many rushing touchdowns (8) as he has passing yards (2). Finally, I know he's getting more time because of injuries, but I'm curious to see what kind of impact Noel Devine could have as a full time starter. Devine was just so much to watch during his collegiate days back at West Virginia.
 
Calgary Stampeders (11-6)
Is there a more intriguing storyline going into the final week of the season than the Drew Tate vs. Kevin Glenn debate? Even though Tate has the upside to be an all-pro, doesn't John Hufnagel have to say that it's Kevin's team? The worst thing you want is to have uncertainty at the QB position especially going into the playoffs.

Yes, Glenn will throw that back breaking interception, but Calgary has a chance to win 12 games and will be hosting a playoff game in two weeks. By the way, I would have Calgary above Montreal but even the hint, the whiff of a quarterback controversy knocks them down a slot.
 
Toronto Argonauts (8-9)
To the citizens of Toronto, this is what is called a 'Playoff Game". Don't be confused when the regular season ends and the home team are still playing games. Yes, yes I know. The Argonauts are still below .500, have a losing record at home and the East is an absolute mess. Nonetheless, I won't let anyone use facts or logic to take away the glow of an Argonaut home playoff game.
 
Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-9)
With their third loss in a row the Roughriders have bigger problems than just Sandro DeAngelis missing some makeable field goals. The last three weeks the team has allowed 30 or more points. Yes, they're guaranteed a playoff spot but they're not exactly entering the post-season on a high note.  
 
Edmonton Eskimos (7-10)
This write up is all about statistical trends. Edmonton had (HAD) a chance to clinch a playoff spot. All they had to do was find a way to win in Montreal, something they've failed to do since 2007. They came close but that streak is still alive and well. Next one up is defeating Calgary, something they haven't done in the regular season since Labour Day of last season. Best case scenario for the Eskimos is a win next week led by J.C. Sherritt collecting 11 tackles which would set a new record for single season tackle totals.
 
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6-11)
I was trying to decide just how much of a bummer would it have been if Hamilton had lost this weekend. You had the all-time team in attendance; a playoff shot in the balance and this was the final send off for Ivor Wynne. Unless you were a Winnipeg or Edmonton fan I'm guessing the rest of the nation was rooting for the Tiger-Cats to get it done. With one more touchdown pass Henry Burris will finish the season with the quietest 40 touchdown season in CFL history.
 
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-12)
What a predictable game. Buck Pierce can't finish the contest and what has come as a shock to noone, the Blue Bombers are officially eliminated from the playoffs, the third time in the past four seasons. I really hope Pierce's career doesn't end like this, he deserves better.

Cauz's Rankings
Rank	Team	Previous	Change
1		1
2		3
3		2
4		6
5		4
6		5
7		7
8		8