CFL Super Power Rankings: A look at second-half odds as Labour Day signals serious season

Welcome to the new 55-Yard Line CFL super power rankings. Every Thursday we'll look back at the previous week and look ahead to the upcoming week, and rank the best teams, quarterbacks or anything else we see fit to rank.

Labour Day weekend in the CFL often signals what many call the 'real' season. Teams have played eight or nine games to work out the kinks, and most the games the rest of the way are played within the division (which is good news for the East teams). As the second half begins here is how the oddsmakers see the rest of the season shaking out. All odds courtesy of Bodog.ca.

Odds to win the 2014 Grey Cup:                
Calgary Stampeders: 3/1
Saskatchewan Roughriders: 15/4
Edmonton Eskimos: 5/1
B.C. Lions: 11/2
Toronto Argonauts: 6/1
Winnipeg Blue Bombers: 7/1
Hamilton Tiger-Cats: 12/1
Montreal Alouettes: 20/1
Ottawa RedBlacks: 33/1

Odds to win the MOP award:

Bo Levi Mitchell (CGY): 3/2; Mike Reilly (EDM): 2/1; Adarius Bowman (EDM).

Will Jeff Garcia play in a game in the 2014 season?:

Yes (6/1); No (10/1)

Now on with the rankings...

Team rankings:

1.

Calgary Stampeders (7-1; Previous: 1) - An easy road win over the Redblacks, their third in a row, sets up nicely for a first-place Labour Day showdown with the Eskimos in Week 10.

2.

Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-2; Previous: 2) - They won in a hostile environment on the road against B.C. on 'Guaranteed Victory Night.' It was also their fifth win in a row, which is enough to keep the Riders at No. 2.

3.

Edmonton Eskimos (7-1; Previous: 4) - They made a strong case to go to No. 2 thanks to three wins a row, but they've all come against East Division teams. A real test beckons Monday on the road against Calgary.

4.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (6-3; Previous: 5) - Back in the win column after two losses in a row, thanks mostly to getting the Alouettes at home. The bottom two spots in the West Division will be worth watching closely -- one team will very likely cross over to the East while the last-place team will miss the playoffs.

5.

B.C. Lions (5-4; Previous: 3) - Have to wonder how the Lions player felt about the front office/marketing types calling Sunday's game Guaranteed Win Night. Those bold claims usually come from a player. Either way it back fired as they let an early lead slip away in a loss to the Rides. The Lions are just 2-3 at home.

6.

Toronto Argonauts (3-6; Previous: 6) - They lose for the second game in a row but don't fall in the rankings because a two-game skid pales in comparison to the rest of the East woes.

7.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1-6; Previous: 8) - They move up thanks to not playing last week, which means they didn't lose. They've lost three in a row as they prepare to host the Argos on Labour Day. Maybe even at home.

8.

Montreal Alouettes (1-7; Previous: 9) - They almost didn't lose, even had the lead for a while, but the defence couldn't hold off the Bombers in the fourth quarter.

9.

Ottawa Rouge et Noir (1-7; Previous: 7) - Blown out at home by the Stamps and booed by their home crowd. Henry Burris even said they deserved it.

Quarterback rankings:

1. Bo Levi Mitchell, Stampeders (Previous: 1) - Hewas quiet, throwing for 266 yards and an interception as the Stamps scored all their touchdowns on the ground against Ottawa's poor run defence.

2. Ricky Ray, Argonauts (Previous: 2) - Not Ray's best performance, with three interceptions including a pick-six. But he's still leading the league in passing yards and touchdown passes.

3. Drew Willy, Blue Bombers (Previous: 4) - A quiet game for Willy (200 yards, INT) as the Bombers start to rely more and more on running back Nic Grigsby.

T4. Kevin Glenn/Travis Lulay, Lions (Previous: 3) - The QB situation in B.C. is not any clearer after losing to the Riders. Glenn, again, got most of the snap, throwing for 146 yards on 15-of-21 passing. The loss might be a good excuse to go back to Lulay full time, who is bound to take over eventually.

T4. Mike Reilly/Matt Nichols, Eskimos (Previous: 5) - Reilly only threw once pass before getting knocked out of the game. Nichols filled in admirably throwing for 178 yards and a touchdown.

T4. Darian Durant/Tino Sunseri, Roughriders (Previous: 6) - Durant was injured in the first half and didn't return, and may not play on Sunday against the Bombers either. Sunseri threw the game-winning touchdown to guard Dan Clark.

7. Henry Burris, Redblacks (Previous: 7) - A fairly forgettable game against Calgary, throwing for just 113 yards and an interception. But there's isn't anyone ready to take his job.

8. Alex Brink/Jonathon Crompton, Alouettes (Previous: 8) - Crompton played the majority of the snaps and threw three interceptions. The Als are obviously high on him though as they keep going back. They also have QB Tanner Marsh who has been relegated to goal-line sneaks (and scoring touchdowns).

9. Jeremiah Masoli, Tiger-Cats (Previous: 9) - He gets his first career start on Labour Day against the Argos.

Coming up in Week 10:

Ottawa at Montreal, Friday, 7:30 ET - The long-awaited battle of 1-7 teams! A six-game losing skid (Als) against a five-game losing skid (Redblacks). Something's got to give, though it's entirely possible they tie 5-5. Nice to have another regional Labour Day rivalry though. Pick: Alouettes.

Winnipeg at Saskatchewan, Sunday, 4 ET

- Now we get into the good stuff. The Riders and Bombers meet for the second time already, with the Riders having one Round 1 in Winnipeg. Durant could miss the game due to a hand injury. Whoever is under centre will likely get to throw to Weston Dressler. Pick: Roughriders.

Toronto at Hamilton, Monday*, 1 ET - The Tiger-Cats still aren't certain whether this game will be played in Hamilton at the new Tim Hortons Field, or if it will be forced to move to Tuesday at the Rogers Centre. Regardless, both teams need a win. The Argos have a two-game lead atop the division. They likely will be missing Chad Owens again. Pick: Argonauts.

Edmonton at Calgary, Monday, 4:30 ET - The game of the week. The Battle of Alberta, with both teams at 7-1, sharing the lead in the West Division. Both teams have won three games in a row. Reilly only threw one pass last week before leaving with an injury but is expected to play Monday. Calgary is responsible for Edmonton's only loss of the season. Pick: Stampeders.

Picks -- Last week: 3-1; Season: 20-12

Bye: B.C. - A week off to distribute all those free tickets from the 'Guaranteed Victory Night' loss.

Disagree with our rankings and picks? Join the conversation on Twitter with @IanDenomme and @YahooSportsCFL.