Three seasons ago when I started doing ranking and grouping there wasn't a lot of people doing it. The media people did ranking and of course the Nissan sponsored people did it. Time have changed. In 2019 EVERYONE does a power ranking. It's the answer to not arguing over what team gets put in what spot. Because of this, I believe, the purpose has been lost.
I put in a lot of time and effort each week into what I do. First I need to watch every game. Last week I wasn't able to do that. The fall term at the music school I teach piano for started. While I love Roughriders football, music is my profession and that's where my attention and efforts must lie. We all have other ambitions and hobbies. Everything competes for our attention. Last weekend family was of the utmost of importance. I just don't have it in me to sit and doodle for a couple hours and then edit and post and analyze while life passes me by. I don't have it in me when it really doesn't matter to anyone anymore. My team didn't even show up for Week 13 so why should I?
OK maybe that's a poor attitude.
Group A - Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Calgary Stampeders, Hamilton TigerCats*
Group B - Montreal Alouettes, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Edmonton Eskimos
Group C - Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa Redblacks, BC Lions
A few weeks ago I recieved some hurtful comments on my page. Of course she's stupid - she's a Roughriders fan...or something like that. I've never blogged with the intention of gaining likes or follows or friends or views or clicks. I've always done it for fun. I think when the fun is gone perhaps it's time to move on. Those words never bothered me but I am very much over the entire social media combative drama. It's one major reason I started ABC Rider Fans. I will finish this season with power grouping. I might post Garfunkel's and I might not. I hope that you've enjoyed what I've done so far. Thank you for sharing with me.
Go Riders!
Well, there went summer! Like so many, I return to my "real" job Tuesday after having summer somewhat free to indulge in football games. So this weeks theme for power groupings is *drumroll* Back to School.
Group A - Backpack
I'm not going to lie. I'm totally biased here. How exciting was the Roughriders win on Sunday in beautiful sold out Mosaic Stadium? A walk off field goal on the leg of Brett Lauther who then ran 100 yards to Pilsner Country to celebrate with Rider Nation. It almost doesn't get better than that. The Roughriders had no business winning that game. Interceptions and defensive battles were on Winnipeg's side. For me it came down to the Bombers out coaching themselves. Had they kicked the field goal instead of faking one could have made the difference in the game. Take the points guys! I still think the Bombers are a good team and they should act like it. A loss in the Labour Day classic shouldn't have you throwing things on the sidelines. There will be more heartbreaking losses in your career than this one. I've got the TigerCats in this group this week because I had them counted out at halftime. I don't know what was said but the team that emerged from the dressing room for the 3rd quarter was not the same team, nor was Dane Evans the same quarterback. They launched a comeback to win in front of what was reported to be a record attendance crowd at Tim Hortons Field.
Group B - Get Ready to Take Notes
Bo Levi Mitchell was cleared to play and the team responded by gaining a win in the Battle of Alberta. Just like Henry Burris, fans tend to refer to Trevor Harris as hot or cold, on or off, good or bad. Well, it seemed the cold-off-bad Harris showed up. Everyone has a bad game, right? Can they rebound for the rematch? The Alouettes were on bye week but made news by signing Chris Williams who had only 2 days earlier been released by the Blue Bombers. Injured or not, having a vet like that in the locker room will help out on this reborn Montreal team.
Group C - Wake Up Call
It was oh so close for the Toronto Argonauts who I've found myself "pulling for" in the east. They got the early lead against Hamilton but just couldn't keep up the momentum after half time. McBeth as some have started calling McLeod Bethel-Thompson looked much improved over just a few weeks ago. Whatever was going right for the Argos in that first half, they have to find a way to harness that and keep it up through 60 minutes. Both the Redblacks and Lions were on bye week in Week 12. The Lions did make some coaching moves. Will that make a difference for the team in Week 13? We will have to wait and see.
A few weeks ago I recieved some hurtful comments on my page. Of course she's stupid - she's a Roughriders fan...or something like that. I've never blogged with the intention of gaining likes or follows or friends or views or clicks. I've always done it for fun. I think when the fun is gone perhaps it's time to move on. Those words never bothered me but I am very much over the entire social media combative drama. It's one major reason I started ABC Rider Fans. I will finish this season with power grouping. I might post Garfunkel's and I might not. I hope that you've enjoyed what I've done so far. Thank you for sharing with me. 
