102nd Grey Cup

Calgary and Hamilton will meet in Vancouver for the CFL’s 102nd Grey Cup game. Here are how the teams look on paper:

On offense Hamilton passed for an average of 269.7 yards, second in the league. Rushing the ball, Hamilton was 6th with 91.2 yards a game. Calgary dominated the ground game averaging 143.9 yards per game (1st). They were seventh at 234 yards passing a game. Hamilton was tied for fourth in giveaways – takeaways at +5. Calgary was first at +14. Calgary also had the best red zone production at 79.2% while Hamilton was last at 40.5%. The two starting quarterbacks are similar statistically. Zach Collaros has a completion rate of 65.8%, 3,261 receiving yards, 15 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. Bo Levi Mitchell completed 63.3% of his passes, for 3,384 yards, 22 touchdowns and 8 picks. Their efficiency ratings are 91.9 and 98.3 respectively. Neither quarterback has started in the Grey Cup.

Defensively, Hamilton is eighth in the league against the pass (260.4 yards/game). However, they are first in defending the rush with 76.8 yards per game. Calgary fairs equally against the pass at 253.1 yards a match (7th in league). They are third against the rush (98.6 yards). Teams are tied for 4th in the league at 50 sacks against opponents. Nonetheless, Hamilton is eighth at 65 sacks allowed, while Calgary is first with only 26 sacks on the season. Hamilton led the league in penalties at 211; Calgary had the lowest number of penalties with 163.

On special teams Justin Medlock of the Tiger-Cats connected on 88% of his kicks. The Stampeders’ Rene Paredes completed 73% of his field goals.

This season Calgary won both match ups against Hamilton. Neither John Cornish nor Zach Collaros played in these games. Historically, Calgary has been in the Grey Cup 13 time and won 6 (46%). Hamilton made it to the final 19 times and won 8 of the showdowns (42%). The two teams have met twice in the Grey Cup. In 1998 Calgary won the cup and the very next year Hamilton avenged themselves.

Grey Cup Prediction:

Calgary Stampeders 34   Hamilton Tiger-Cats  26