CFL super power rankings: Week 1 full of surprises

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.

It's early, but in Week 1 the West Division teams showed how much stronger they are than the East.

Team rankings:

1. Saskatchewan Roughriders (1-0; Previous: NA) - Impressive Week 1 win despite lots of off-season changes. Still No. 1 until someone knocks them off..

2.

Calgary Stampeders (1-0; Previous: NA) - Dominated the Alouettes last week on both sides of the ball. Injury to Jon Cornish is a big concern, but he gets the bye week to rest.

3.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (1-0; Previous: NA) - Wait, what? The worst team in 2013 got off to an impressive start in 2014 by beating the Argos. New starting quarterback Drew Willy appears ready for primetime.

4.

Edmonton Eskimos (1-0; Previous: NA) - The other team that missed the playoffs in 2013 had a big win of its own. The Eskimos rallied and handed the Lions a rare home loss. Good start by quarterback Mike Reilly against his former team.

5.

B.C. Lions (0-1; Previous: NA) - A preseason favourite and Grey Cup host but how far can they go without Travis Lulay?

6.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-1; Previous: NA) - Loss in Grey Cup rematch in Regina was forgetable but they should be okay in the weak East. Opening the season on a three-game road trip doesn't help.

7.

Toronto Argonauts (0-1; Previous: NA) - Week 1 stinker was a surprise, but big problems like penalties and turnovers can and should be corrected.

8.

Montreal Alouettes (0-1; Previous: NA) - The post-Anthony Calvillo era got off to an ugly start. It took them 60 minutes to finally score a touchdown. Troy Smith needs to be better if the Als are going to go anywhere this year.

9.

Ottawa Redblacks (0-0; Previous: NA) - "But they're in first place in the East!" Sorry Ottawa fans, you have to play a game to get out of the basement. They open up in Week 2 against the Blue Bombers.

Quarterback rankings:

1. Drew Willy, Blue Bombers (Previous: NA) - More Winnipeg surprises. In his first start with his new team Willy went off for 308 yards and four touchdown passes.

2. Bo Levi Mitchell, Stampeders (Previous: NA) - In case there was any doubt that he is the Stampeders' starter, Mitchell went out and had himself a game. He threw for 313 yards and completed 64 percent of his passes.

3. Darian Durant, Roughriders (Previous: NA) - Durant showed you don't have to throw for a ton of yards to be effective. He managed just 136 yards and two touchdowns on 68 percent completion rate. The Roughriders led the entire game, meaning Durant simply had to manage the game.

4. Ricky Ray, Argonauts (Previous: NA) - The lone bright spot for the Argos. Ray, a perennial MOP contender, threw for 283 yards and two touchdowns.

5. Mike Reilly, Eskimos (Previous: NA) - If he can stay healthy, he might be among the best. He passed for 229 yards and threee touchdowns in a suprising win. He also rushed four times for 33 yards, tops among QBs in Week 1.

6. Zach Collaros, Tiger-Cats (Previous: NA) - His first start as a Ticat wasn't exactly memorable eventhough he wasn't altogether bad. He completed 57 percent of his passes and had a touchdown and a pick.

7. Kevin Glenn, Lions (Previous: NA) - Lions fans are already longing for Travis Lulay. Glenn threw for 251 yards but was picked off four times as the Eskimos rallied for a win.

8. Troy Smith, Alouettes (Previous: NA) - Speaking of longing, think Anthony Calvillo has one more year in him? Smith completed just 41 percent of his passes, was picked off once, didn't throw a touchdown, and didn't even have a rushing attempt.

9. Henry Burris, Redblacks (Previous: NA) - Last place a formality only on account of not playing in Week 1. As he goes in 2014, so too will go the Redblacks.

Unique CFL rules rankings:

In honour of Peter King and MMQB's Canada Week, here are three great rules that are found in the CFL but not the NFL.

1. The Rouge - It's quirky, it's fun, it has a French name, and it means that games can have crazy endings like this one from 2010:

2. One foot in bounds for a completion - In the CFL receivers need only to get one foot in bounds on catches, as opposed to both feet in the NFL. It makes for more highlight reel catches and increases offence.

3. 20-second play clock - It means less time off, less standing around, more plays per game and fewer commercials. It also means leads are less safe because a trailing team is going to keep getting the ball back.

Coming up in Week 2:

Ottawa at Winnipeg, Thursday, 8:30 ET

-- The Redblacks play their first game in franchise history. It's Ottawa's third chance at a CFL team and this one seems like it will work. The Bombers look to build off their big win over the Argonauts. Redblacks DB Jovon Johnson, the 2011 defensive player of the year, faces his former team. Pick: Blue Bombers.

B.C. at Montreal, Friday, 7 ET -- Two winless teams go at it in Montreal. The Alouettes, once the darling franchise in the CFL, are struggling to adjust to their third head coach in less than a year. Takeaway the turnovers from Week 1 and the Lions will be just fine. Pick: Lions.

Hamilton at Edmonton, Friday, 10 ET -- It seems no matter where the Tiger-Cats go, they play in awful weather. They should get a break from rain in Edmonton on Friday, but it looks like they'll be without Andy Fantuz. Big win in B.C. should bring some hope and excitment to Eskimos fans who've had little the past couple years. Pick: Eskimos.

Saskatchewan at Toronto, Saturday, 3 ET -- The Argos home opener will be played under a cloud of uncertainty. Reports suggest Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment is no longer interested in buying the Argos. The team is looking for a new owner and possibly a new home stadium. Roughriders had to be concerned about the loss of RB Kory Sheets, but how about the debut of Anthony Allen? He rushed for 158 yards on 27 carries in Week 1. Pick: Roughriders.

Bye: Stampeders -- On top of Jon Cronish's injury in Week 1, receiver Maurice Price broke his hand in the win and will be put on the six-game injured list. Cornish should be ready to go for Week 3 at Toronto.

Disagree with our rankings and picks? Suggestions on what else to rank? Join the conversation on Twitter with @IanDenomme and @YahooSportsCFL.