As much it pains me to write this, Edmonton could be emerging as the team to beat in the CFL West this year. Certainly, for fans of a certain vintage, the Esks qualify as the Riders' most bitter rival. Five straight playoff matchups between 1972-76, along with Edmonton's subsequent dominance which saw them, at their peak, win five straight Grey Cups between 1978-82, and not miss the playoffs for 34 years from 1971-2005, does allow the emnity to build. But really, which teams in the CFL West don't Rider fans hate?
In the late '60s and early '70s the Stampeders were the Riders' most bitter rival. They hit hard times from the mid-70s to early '90s, but since then have enjoyed a reasonable amount of success. And consistent with the city of Calgary itself, no team comes off as being more arrogant and boorish when they do get the better of the other team. Which fortunately hasn't been as often as it could have been as they do have a tendancy to shit the bed when the pressure is on.
When the Riders were in their heyday from the mid-'60s to mid-'70s the Lions were putrid. They didn't play in a single Grey Cup between 1964 and 1983. But under Wally Buono, who most Riders fans regard with disdain because of his insufferable prickishness, the team has become the Riders' current most bitter rival. Again, five straight playoff meetings between 2004-2008 can do that.
Anyway, the next four games will go a long way to determining who will finish first in the West. This week and next, while the Riders and Bombers play, Edmonton and Calgary lock horns. Then the Riders hook up with Edmonton for a home-and-home series Sept. 20 and 26.
In the late '60s and early '70s the Stampeders were the Riders' most bitter rival. They hit hard times from the mid-70s to early '90s, but since then have enjoyed a reasonable amount of success. And consistent with the city of Calgary itself, no team comes off as being more arrogant and boorish when they do get the better of the other team. Which fortunately hasn't been as often as it could have been as they do have a tendancy to shit the bed when the pressure is on.
When the Riders were in their heyday from the mid-'60s to mid-'70s the Lions were putrid. They didn't play in a single Grey Cup between 1964 and 1983. But under Wally Buono, who most Riders fans regard with disdain because of his insufferable prickishness, the team has become the Riders' current most bitter rival. Again, five straight playoff meetings between 2004-2008 can do that.
Anyway, the next four games will go a long way to determining who will finish first in the West. This week and next, while the Riders and Bombers play, Edmonton and Calgary lock horns. Then the Riders hook up with Edmonton for a home-and-home series Sept. 20 and 26.
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