Rockstar QB Index: Rain or shine, Trevor Harris delivers

| American Football | 10/30/2018

The Rockstar QB Index is a weekly power ranking of quarterbacks across the CFL. The ranking reflects recent performance, historical value, statistical indicators, team success and overall on-field evaluation.

TORONTO — Slowly but surely, Trevor Harris is re-writing the narrative when it comes to his Canadian Football League legacy.

The Ottawa REDBLACKS pivot has put together a stellar autumn season, capping off the month of October with back-to-back wins over Hamilton to deliver his team an East Division title and a berth in the Eastern Final on Nov. 18.

Often one of the most scrutinized quarterbacks in the league the last two seasons, Harris has answered his critics, coming through in all the clutch moments to lead the REDBLACKS to the top of the division.While Harris’ recent play lands him a spot in the top-three, Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols has been equally impressive. Nichols has led his team to five straight wins and a playoff berth, including, most recently, a masterpiece against the Calgary Stampeders.

Also around the league, Johnny Manziel picked up his first career win on Sunday, a 40-10 victory over the Argos, while Zach Collaros and Brandon Bridge teamed up for a win for the Riders to assure playoff football will come to Regina.

CFL.ca ranks the pivots heading into Week 21 in the latest Rockstar QB Index:

MIKE REILLY EDM
THIS WEEK: 1 | LAST WEEK: 1

Mike Reilly could only watch helplessly as the Eskimos were eliminated from post-season contention. The reigning MOP had another strong season statistically, leading the league in passing yards while totaling 42 touchdowns through the air and on the ground. Yet considering the circumstances, 2018 might just be viewed as the most disappointing season of No. 13’s career.

BO LEVI MITCHELL CGY
THIS WEEK: 2 | LAST WEEK: 2

Despite modest improvement from the previous week, Bo Levi Mitchell still wasn’t himself in a 29-21 loss to the Bombers over the weekend. The Stamps pivot threw for 274 yards and a touchdown with no picks, but his third straight loss dropped him to 68-15-2 in his career as a starter. The winning percentage of .819 remains No. 1 all-time, but there are concerns for Mitchell and the Stamps.

TREVOR HARRIS OTT
THIS WEEK: 3 | LAST WEEK: 4

In his last six games, Trevor Harris has thrown 11 touchdowns and just two interceptions, averaging a superb 9.6 yards per attempt in the process. In a league where strong quarterback play is a prerequisite to win the Grey Cup, Harris is silencing his detractors and proving he’s quite capable of being the elite quarterback GM Marcel Desjardins believed he was getting.

JEREMIAH MASOLI HAM
THIS WEEK: 4 | LAST WEEK: 3

With the rain pouring down and top receiver Brandon Banks sidelined, Jeremiah Masoli turned in his worst performance of the season on Saturday, averaging 5.1 yards per attempt while throwing two interceptions in a loss to the REDBLACKS. Just the second real slip up for Masoli this year, but there are legitimate questions about how he can operate with so many key injuries on offence.

MATT NICHOLS WPG
THIS WEEK: 5 | LAST WEEK: 5

Matt Nichols had by far his best game of 2018 over the weekend, throwing for a season-high 358 yards and two touchdowns in a monumental win over the Stamps. The Bombers really came out of their shell in this one, racking up 503 yards of offence to win their fifth straight. It was an exciting breakthrough for the Bombers’ quarterback, but was it just a one-off?

TRAVIS LULAY BC
THIS WEEK: 6 | LAST WEEK: 6

The Riders’ defence was too much to handle for Lions pivot Travis Lulay, who completed just nine of his 20 attempts for 94 yards in a 35-16 loss. Lulay also threw two interceptions and fumbled once, resulting in two defensive touchdowns. The 35-year-old may never reclaim his 2011 MOP-winning form, but has the leadership and ability to take the Lions to a Grey Cup if the stars align.

ZACH COLLAROS SSK
THIS WEEK: 7 | LAST WEEK: 7

Riders fans are hoping for good news on Zach Collaros, who exited Saturday’s game in the second quarter after a hard hit from Odell Willis. Head Coach Chris Jones said Collaros was removed for ‘precautionary reasons’, but whatever the case, Collaros will have an extra week to rest up with the team on the bye in Week 21.

JAMES FRANKLIN TOR
THIS WEEK: 8 | LAST WEEK: 8

Aside from a season-high 71 rushing yards, James Franklin couldn’t make much happen against the Alouettes in a battle of last-place teams — though the elements weren’t exactly conducive to success. In three games since reinsertion, Franklin has completed 65 per cent of his passes for 774 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions, averaging 7.3 yards per attempt.

JOHNNY MANZIEL MTL
THIS WEEK: 9 | LAST WEEK: 9

Even in just a half, Johnny Manziel played his most productive football in the three-down game on Sunday, throwing for 139 yards and a touchdown on 7-of-14 passing. In his last five starts, Manziel has completed 65.8 per cent of his passes with four touchdowns, three interceptions and an average of 8.4 yards per attempt. The numbers speak for themselves as far as his progression.

INJURED: RICKY RAY (TOR)

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