CFL playoffs are set

Congratulations to the 6 playoff teams for the 2005 CFL postseason. Though the B.C. Lions had a tremendous start, the team clinched the Western Division title only after Edmonton lost 43-23 to Calgary this afternoon at McMahon Stadium in Calgary. The Stampeders have now won seven of their last eight games. Going into the 90th and final regular season game, spots 1-3 in the West were undetermined.

So, here's how the playoffs line up:

East
Saskatchewan at Montreal, November 13, 3p EST -- winner plays Toronto

West
Edmonton at Calgary, November 13, 6p EST -- winner plays B.C.

The divisional finals will be November 20 in Toronto at 3p EST and Vancouver (B.C.) at 6p EST. Montreal will play its postseason contest at Olympic Stadium (for those baseball fans, the former home of Les Expos). Toronto plays its games in the Rogers Centre, the former SkyDome. The Grey Cup will be November 27 at 6p EST at B.C. Place in Vancouver (sites are determined long before the season starts). All postseason games air in Canada on the CBC.

I should explain that Saskatchewan is a crossover team, since its record is better than Ottawa, the 3rd team in the East.

Toronto defeated the Lions in last year's Grey Cup. The Lions have been looking for revenge since, and would love to play for the Cup on their home turf. However, Calgary is a much hotter ball club, and B.C. has quarterback issues, as in "can any of them rise to the challenge?" Montreal feels like it would have won last year, except quarterback Anthony Calvillo got injured in the second half, so it wants to return to the limelight.

So, predictions: I'm lousy at them, but here goes. Montreal will defeat the Roughriders next week, but lose to Toronto. I don't think Montreal's defense can stop the Argos. In the West, B.C. on paper is the team to beat, and the Lions will be at home, but Calgary looks really good. Then again, Edmonton is a good team, too. My out-on-the-limb call: Toronto is a repeat winner, beating Calgary. The B.C. fans hope I'm wrong. We'll see.

I could be partial to B.C. since I saw them play in person in August against Hamilton, the worst team in the league. But the hot hand is what you need in the playoffs. B.C. couldn't score a touchdown against Saskatchewan on Saturday, despite home field being on the line.