Regardless of whether it's called a clash of titans, a renewal of hostilities, or simply a Grey Cup preview, this weekend's battle between the Calgary Stampeders and Montreal Alouettes is set to be one of this season's most intriguing match-ups. And given these two club's recent histories, one of its most entertaining as well.

Over the past three-and-a-half CFL seasons the Stamps and Als have been arguably the two most successful and balanced teams in the league.

Each has posted 40+ victories during the period.

Each has taken home Grey Cups.

And each has cultivated superstar rosters year in and year out.

Heading into week 9's tilt, both clubs are coming off bye weeks, well rested after impressive wins in week 7.

Henry Burris and the Stamps' passing attack came alive to hang 45 points on the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the entire Alouettes' defence rose up to throw some brutality on Ricky Ray along the way to a 27-4 assault of the Edmonton Eskimos.

Both teams are sporting identical 5-2 records, too.

You can be sure neither will be ready to take a step back this Saturday night.


Inside the Pressure Cooker

While it might be true that speed kills on offence, it's defensive pressure that's the real killer. Drive killer, that is.

Short of Winnipeg, no team in the CFL brings more heat than Chris Jones' defensive unit in Calgary.

The Stampeders utilize pressure from every conceivable angle to disrupt opposing offences and they do so out of some of the most original formations you'll see in the league—from 40 fronts with four down lineman, to 30 fronts with three down lineman and four linebackers, to secondary blitzes from nickel personnel, and from standing formations where all players in the defensive front seven rush from standing positions.

Meaningless Stat of the Week: Heading into week 9, the Stamps' defence sits dead last in QB sacks with 10.

As much as that stat appears to paint a rosy picture for opposing QBs' safety, no number could be more misleading in Calgary's case.

Pure pressure on every play disrupts opposing passers more than getting them on the ground a few more times a game ever could.

The result of that varied pressure rears its head in a number of quantifiable ways.

One of the main results of defensive pressure is that it forces quick decisions and short passes from quarterbacks trying to avoid giving up sacks.

Currently, the Stamps' defence is giving up the second-fewest net yards through the air (1791), the second-fewest passing yards per game on average (255.9), and they've allowed the fewest passes completed (130).

Calgary has also excelled at limiting first downs via the air so far this season, giving up a second-best total of 72.

Getting teams off the field on second downs through disruptive pressure, the Stamps have also allowed the second-fewest yards of net offence (2322).

All that success has resulted in the D surrendering the second-lowest number of plays from scrimmage (529).

While a good bit of this statistical success can be chalked up to excellent coverage, the bulk of the credit falls squarely on the pressure the Stamps bring to bear on opposing QBs.


Make it or break it match-up

The match-up I'll be keeping a sharp eye on from the opening kick off this Friday night is how aggressively the Als' passing game can attack the back end of Calgary's defence.

As obvious as it would be to put the onus for beating Calgary's pressure on the Alouettes' pass protection, the real secret to exposing the Stamps' defence is aggression in the face of the pressure.

To a degree, the Saskatchewan Roughriders provided a glimpse at the fundamental blue print for playing against a high-risk, high-reward defence like Calgary's in the fourth quarter of their week 7 match-up with the Stamps. Darian Durant and Ryan Dinwiddie combined to throw for 434 yards by the game's end, hitting receivers Efrem Hill and Wes Dressler repeatedly on downfield routes.

For the Alouettes, one of the keys to defeating the Stampeders will be completing explosive, downfield throws against Calgary's pressure.

Fielding two of the game's top receivers in Jamel Richardson and S.J. Green, as well as dangerous veterans like Kerry Watkins and Brian Bratton, Montreal has more than enough weapons to get the job done.

Green leads Montreal with 36 grabs for 592 yards, but Richardson isn't far behind with 40 catches for 567 yards himself.

I'd expect Watkins, Bratton, and newcomer Brandon London, who'll most likely be called upon to work the perimeters of the Stamps' coverage, to have a huge impacts on the outcome of the game.

Once you add in all the damage running back Brandon Whitaker can do out of the backfield off screens and wheel routes, it's clear the Als have the ability to move the chains all night against the Stamps' D through the air, given Calvillo has enough time to go to work.

As innovative as the Calgary Stampeders are on defence, it will be almost impossible to fool a pivot with Anthony Calvillo's ability and experience very often.

Considering the talent of Calvillo's targets, I fully expect the Als to fight fire with fire this weekend in Calgary.

Whichever team wins the battle deep in the Stampeders' secondary wins this game. No matter what, watching that fight sort itself out is going to be exciting.


Roster Notes

As nice as it would've have been to have the entire roster healthy and ready to go after their bye week, the Alouettes still have a few players down going into the game against the Stamps.

This week Montreal heads into McMahon Stadium again without the services of Etienne Boulay, but the team has had more than enough time to adjust to his absence and has even managed to improve the performance of the defence with the replacement personnel they've deployed.

The Als also have the big advantage of being able to use DT Moton Hopkins in the defensive line rotation in relief of Jermaine McElveen who's still out nursing an injury.

There's a good chance the team will lose Diamond Ferri to a wonky hamstring and returner Tim Maypray to a hip injury.

Those decisions, however, will be made much closer to game time. Should Maypray miss the game, newly-acquired returner Perry Floyd will get his first action as an Alouette.

Calgary, though, has had plenty of time to heal up significantly on their hiatus. Both Juwan Simpson and Rob Cote practiced this week and should be available come game time.

The biggest question mark for Calgary health-wise will be the status of coverage linebacker Brandon Isaac who suffered a groin pull earlier in the week. All accounts say Isaac should be good to go, however, after returning to practice Thursday.


Up Next

Check back Sunday for my breakdown of what went down out in Cowtown, including, as always, my five plays that swung the game.