Make no mistake. The CFL is a quarterback-driven league. For all of the rhetoric about how defences win championships, running backs control the clock, and special teams tilt the field, winning consistently in the league requires an efficient, productive pivot.

No other position has an impact on the tempo and outcome of a game like the quarterback. And nothing in the game affects a team's overall record like a QB capable of dominating week in and week out.

Nowhere are these facts more apparent than in Friday night's match up between the Toronto Argonauts and the Montreal Alouettes.

Tale of the QB tape

The Argonauts head into Percival Molson Stadium behind Cleo Lemon, whose performance the first two weeks of the season has been mediocre at best, with a 1-1 record. Lemon has struggled to stay above a 60% completion percentage since joining the Argos last season, and has rarely taken over games by passing for more than 300 yards. Lemon's most-telling stat, however, might be the unimpressive 7.4 yards-per-attempt average he's sported since joining the league.

Even blessed with the support of an excellent rushing attack via Cory Boyd (who will be out Friday night) and phenomenal field position provided by returner-extraordinaire Chad Owens, the Argos' offence has failed to generate points consistently under Lemon. And it's shown in the team's won-loss record.

The Alouettes, on the other hand, have been riding the hot hand of Anthony Calvillo for over a decade. Heading into week 3 of the season, and perhaps ever, no QB in the CFL has been more consistently excellent than Calvillo.

With a completion percentage just under 70%, a QB rating in the 130s, and a yards-per-attempt average over 10 yards per throw, Anthony Calvillo has the Als' offence clicking this season. 300-yard games with multiple TD passes and minimal turnovers are de rigueur for A.C. And it's no coincidence that the Als have won more games than they've lost in his tenure as starting pivot.

Starts with Anthony, ends with Calvillo

For the Als, there's no better way to maintain the momentum they've enjoyed so far this season than by placing the ball squarely in the hands of team leader Anthony Calvillo. Calvillo's ability to control games by piling up yards and points is second to none in the CFL. And his success is the very catalyst the team needs hosting a divisional rival like the Argos.

In four tilts against the Argonauts last season, including the East Division Final, Calvillo posted near-perfect numbers, completing 116 of 155 passes for 1590 yards and 10 majors. That 75% completion rate and gaudy yards-per-attempt average translated into time of possession and field position advantages in three out of the four games.

So far this season, Calvillo's numbers have been right in line with the averages he posted against Toronto last year. Heading into week 3, Calvillo leads the league with 731 yards passing, and is second only to Edmonton's Ricky Ray in completion percentage (69%) and efficiency rating (132.8).

A.C.'s eight passing TDs top the CFL charts as well, and when you add to the mix the fact that the next TD he throws will put him into the top spot all-time with 395, there's no doubt the Als' offence will be looking to continue their 2011 trend of scoring through the air early and often this Friday.

Make it or break-it match-up

The match-up I'll be keeping a sharp eye on from get to go this Friday night is how effectively A.C. is able to attack a very stingy Argos' secondary.

Going into week 3, the Argos' defence has surrendered the fewest net yards passing (458), the fewest passing yards per game (229), and the fewest TD passes allowed (0).

Due in large part to the disruptive force of its large, aggressive front four—featuring the likes of Claude Wroten, Kevin Huntley, and Ronald Flemons—the Argos' defence has already short-circuited the passing game of a couple of the league's most accomplished passers in Henry Burris and Buck Pierce.

Much of the credit for the effectiveness of the Double Blue's pass defence, however, has to fall squarely on the Argos' secondary.

Toronto's back end features some of the league's most accomplished playmakers in Byron Parker, Lin-J Shell, and Willie Pile, and that talent has translated directly into the Argos' ability to keep gains through the air to a minimum. In fact, the Argonauts have given up a league-low 6.5 yards per pass so far this year.

When the Alouettes face the Argos in Molson Stadium this Friday, the onus for tilting the field in Montreal's direction will be squarely on Calvillo and his ability to distribute the ball quickly and efficiently to the Als' pantheon of weapons— S.J. Green, Brian Bratton, Brandon London, Tim Maypray, et al.

Even with all-star Jamel Richardson out of the lineup nursing a quad contusion, Calvillo should be able to operate at an extremely high level. Eric Deslauriers will draw into the starting offence in Richardson's absence, and with an import spot available Prechae Rodriguez will be active for his first time as an Alouette. Both Deslauriers and Rodriguez offer Calvillo a big target and should be more than capable of making plays downfield.

More than just moving the team up and down the field, it'll be incumbent upon Calvillo to finish drives with points to get out in front of Toronto early. It almost goes without saying that every aspect of Montreal's game flourishes when A.C. is on point. And it's crucial for the Alouettes' passing game to fire on all cylinders this weekend from their first possession on.

So far this year, the Alouettes have managed fast starts offensively, particularly on the strength of Calvillo's arm. This Friday should be no exception to that trend. If Anthony Calvillo can rev up his game from the Als' opening drive, the entire team will no doubt follow suit.

Up next

Check back Saturday for my breakdown of what went down on the field against the Argonauts this week, including, as always, my five plays that swung the game.