The Calgary Stampeders hold a football up after their team's practice at the CFL's 102nd Grey Cup week in Vancouver, British Columbia, November 26, 2014. The Hamilton Tiger Cats will play the Calgary Stampeders on Sunday November 30 for the Canadian football league championship title.TODD KOROL/Reuters
For the first time since 2011, the Grey Cup will be a neutral-site game, a factor that gives the Calgary Stampeders a big advantage over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The Stampeders had a CFL-best 8-1 road record en route to posting a league-leading 15-3 overall mark. The Montreal Alouettes were the lone team to earn a home win over Calgary, claiming a 31-15 decision Sept. 21.
Hamilton finished tied with Calgary and Edmonton for the league's best regular-season home record at 7-2, but the Ticats struggled on the road with a 2-7 record. Only expansion Ottawa (0-9) was worse.
Calgary won both regular-season meetings between the division leaders, although only by a combined 13 points.
Trouble is, Calgary does more than just run well offensively.
The Stampeders led the CFL in scoring (28.4 points per game), touchdowns (52), rushing TDs (25), surrendered a league-low 26 sacks and were the league's least penalized squad. Calgary also made the fewest turnovers (29).
While CFL rushing leader Jon Cornish and Co. draw a lot of the headlines, Calgary's defence is very good. It allowed the second-fewest points (19.3 per game), forced the second-most turnovers (43) and finished tied with Edmonton for most interceptions (20). Jamar Wall was tied for the league lead (six).
Despite leading the league in fewest rushing yards allowed, Hamilton's defence was ranked eighth against the pass (260.4 yards per game).
Pick: Calgary.
Last week: 2-0.
Overall record: 59-26.