West semifinal preview: Stampeders look to complete sweep of Lions

To say the BC Lions haven't looked good against the Calgary Stampeders this season would be an understatement.

Although both teams sat most of their starters in the season finale, the Stampeders swept the season series from the Lions. Now, the defending Grey Cup champions are looking to finish the job when it counts.

QB - Advantage: Calgary

Jonathon Jennings displays all the signs that he's going to be a very good quarterback. But for now, Calgary's Bo Levi Mitchell is the guy to beat.

Mitchell has proven to be an offensive catalyst for the Stamps, throwing for 4,551 yards - second only to Ottawa's Henry Burris - and 26 touchdowns this season.

WR - Advantage: Calgary

Lavelle Hawkins and Manny Arceneaux are having admirable seasons for the Lions, but once again, Calgary has been a little better. The Stampeders own the league's top receiver, Eric Rogers, who recorded 1,448 receiving yards and a league-high 10 touchdowns.

Slotback Marquay McDaniel also posted 1,038 yards, and four scores this year. With that, Calgary joined Ottawa, Hamilton, and Edmonton as the only other team with two receivers to have more than 1,000 receiving yards.

RB - Advantage: Calgary

This game will feature two of the top running backs in the league, with BC's Andrew Harris, and Calgary's Jerome Messam.

Harris finished second to Montreal's Tyrell Sutton with 1,039 rushing yards, to go with his seven touchdowns. Messam was right behind him with 1,006 yards, but had only two scores.

At the end of day, this matchup goes to the Stampeders. Despite the fact that Jon Cornish will likely sit as he continues to deal with a concussion, his team still owns the league's fourth-best rushing offense to the Lions' eighth.

ST - Advantage: BC

Chris Rainey could be the best midseason scoop of any team in the CFL this season. The Lions' burner returned the ball for 1,354 yards and two touchdowns, including one punt return, and one kick return score - both coming against Calgary.

DEF - Advantage: Calgary

Beyond Mitchell's high-octane offense, Calgary also possesses one of the best defenses in the CFL. The Stamps rank third in total defense (324.4), second in passing yards allowed per game (246.6), and third in rushing yards allowed per game (77.8).

The Breakdown