Sunday, November 12th

1 - I think this is a dream come true for most Rider fans. Can you imagine what would have happened if you had predicted this two years ago? You would have been laughed out of the building.

2 - The more things change the more they stay the same in Edmonton. Miss the play-offs? No problem, we'll just spend a little more. Why would we develope our own talent when we can simply buy it off of other teams. I'll at least give Edmonton credit for developing quarterbacks, but that's about it. Steal someone from Calgary for a change.

3 - Western Final Predictions doomed to fail: B.C. beats the Riders, Toronto beats Montreal. Hopefully I'm wrong. I was 0-2 last week, and I'm praying the trend continues.

4 - Speaking of last week, all I can say is wow! Give the Riders credit for executing, but I never thought Calgary would self destruct like they did. The Stamps coaching staff deserves a lot of blame for this one. Calgary's starting linebacking corps (the best corps in the league, says I) was benched in favour of some untested rookies, some of whom had only 1 CFL game of experience, and a guy who'd spent the entire year at safety. Untested rookies and converted safety, meet Kenton Keith. Watch Kenton Keith run. Run Keith run... for 141 yards and two 2nd half touchdowns. Unbelievable.

5 - I have no idea who is on what ECFHA team this season, but here are my predictions for the upcoming season (assuming they still have the same names and no expansion franchises were created):

1 - End Times
2 - Power Shots
3 - Gophers
4 - ABHE
5 - Fuerza
6 - Aslan

(Editors Note: M.O.F. picked the Arsonists to finish in the ECFHA basement last year too, so don't take anything he says too seriously.)

6 - Fans of the Green and White are pointing to Matt Dominguez's touchdown catch on the last play of the 1st half as the key play of the game, but as important as that was, Kenton Keiths 76 yard TD run at the start of the second was the game changer. Scoring on the first possession of the 2nd half was crucial, as it was on the last play of the 1st half, but it was how they scored the second TD that broke the Stamps back.

7 - After 35 years, Bob Barker of 'The Price is Right' is retiring. I haven't watched that show in years, but I still remember the other announcer yelling 'come on down...' while everyone in the studio went nuts. Bob voice reminds me of the guys who announce scores at hockey games over the P.A. system. I think that's why I liked him so much.

8 - Another attempt to buy happiness? A practical solution to some of the worlds problems? Shameless overeaction on the part of yours truely? You be the judge.

9 - If you've ever wondered how Quebec Sepratists participate in Remembrance Day you'll find this interesting. Far be it for me to criticize the motives of one of Canada's war vets, since I've never actually gone to war myself, but I find it hard to believe that the Quebec vet mentioned in the article risked his life for nothing more than $1.30 a day. I'm not questioning his figures, I have no idea what he was paid, or if he was paid, but surely you risked your life for something more than money! Perhaps I'm being a little too picky, but there's something about this ceremony that rubs me the wrong way. Judging by Gilles Duceppe's remarks at the end of the article, it appears as if the Sepratists attempted to put aside their own political differences to honor the commitement and sacrifice of Quebec's war vets. Give them credit for that, but it does beg the question 'What did Canadian soldiers die for?' Was it for democracy? Was it for freedom from tyranny? Was it for Canada? Was it for $1.30 a day? Duceppe says remebrace transends the question of politics. One would imagine if that was the case, the National Anthem would have been played, as opposed to a 'song of peace'. Despite good intentions, I don't think this ceremony oozes 'not anti-Canadian, but not Canadian' as the organizers claim, mostly because I'm not sure it's realistically possible.

10 - In health news, a report out of London says the work on the world's first 'artificial stomach' is complete. The 'artificial gut' is designed to keep you slim, by somehow tricking the rest of your body into thinking it's full. No truth to the rumour that the stomach will force you to keep your food down, even whilst watching a certain quarterback turn the football over 5 times in the biggest game of the season to date.

11 - Those of you who have been following this story can atest to the fact that it's ripping the Liberal Party apart. So why a Conservative MP would feel the need to weigh in on the issue is beyond my limited powers of comprehension. From a unbiased voters standpoint, it's nice to know where this guy stands. However, from my viewpoint it would be prudent to avoid public discourse on this issue like Kenton Keith avoids would be tacklers. I'm not suggesting he ignore the issue, only that he refrain from commenting about it in the media, because he's putting himself in a no win situation, especially after Harper refused to comment on it!

12 - I'm sure most of you heard about this. It was the lead story in most newscasts the day it happened. But did you here about this? If you didn't, I'm not really surprised. Why did the second story recieve so little media attention, while the first was splashed all over the news?
Perhaps it was this quote:

"Your soldiers don’t crave pity. They don’t want you to fear for them. They need your love and unwavering support."

It seems to contradict comments like this one:

“Support our troops, bring ’em home"

13 - Almost everytime I hear someone calling for Canadian troops to leave Afghanistan I wonder if they actually read the newspaper or anything. There are about half a dozen instances where that happened to me while I was reading the anti-war protest article. Here is the one quote that stood out:

“The Canadian government should recognize the right of the people to make democracy by themselves,” said Hosein Taghaddos, 26, a University of Alberta student who participated in the protest march. “They don’t have any right to occupy other regions in the name of democracy.”

That's coming from a university student, supposedly one of the future leaders of our country. Scary, especially when you compare that with this. The right of the people to make democracy by themselves? Surely their not serious, right?

14 - I know I'm not supposed to like this, cause I'm going to the U of R, but if we don't win the Grey Cup, hopefully the Huskies can attain university bragging rights. Just something to take away the sting over the winter.

15 - In closing, CFL predictions doomed to fail, this time from someone other that me. Cheers.

Christ Shultz - TSN

"This could turn out to be a classic Western final, but I don't think the Lions will miss the opportunity this time. I'll take BC."

Jack Bedell - CFL.ca

"I’m going with my gut. As well as Toronto and Saskatchewan have played against Montreal and B.C., I’m still picking the home teams. Als and Lions to the Cup."

Eilliot Friedman - CBC Sports

If Joseph runs well, Saskatchewan might win this. But my pick is the Lions in a close one.

Steve Coad - London Free Press

The Lions, arguably the league's best team, will have their hands full.

Noah Sidel - CFL.ca

"Once upon a time, Saskatchewan looked promising. Then it looked as if the field had fallen out from under the Riders. Don’t turn away, ‘cause it looks like they’re about to find their way again… all the way to Winnipeg."

Sportsnet Online Poll - Who will win the Grey Cup

Saskatchewan Roughriders - 46%
B.C. Lions - 35%

Dan Ralph - Canadian Press

Despite Saskatchewan's success versus B.C. this season, the Lions remain favourites to advance to the Grey Cup. Prediction: B.C. 24 Saskatchewan 22

Demetrious Maxie - Calgary Stampeders

"They'll be the team to beat in the Grey Cup, because I think they'll go in there and whip the (manure) out of B.C., plain and simple."

Man on Fire