Toronto Argonauts have a lot to prove in showdown against Calgary Stampeders

As the Toronto Argonauts hit the midway point of their season, they are about to find out if they are capable of going toe-to-toe with a team that will take advantage of every mistake.

Sitting at 5-3 this season, the Calgary Stampeders could easily have a better record considering how many close finishes they have been in. Really, this is a great matchup for Toronto because this is a game where they likely won’t get by playing with a subpar effort.

This is also the first game without Andrew Harris which changes the Argos gameplan slightly but the team is confident in the depth they have in AJ Ouellette and Daniel Adeboboye.

This is where the receivers will need to step up and help give the offence a chance to move the ball with some consistency. Juwan Brescasin and Damonte Coxie make their season debuts with Cam Phillips and Eric Rogers still out with injuries.

Despite Calgary giving up a lot of yards through the air, McLeod Bethel-Thompson knows that they are still a unit that will make life difficult on them given that they lead the league in interceptions with 12.

"They do give up yards but they're a bend-but-don't-break team," Bethel-Thompson told reporters. "And they're leading the league in interceptions, right?

"We know they're playing good football and they're a good football team and we have to show up with our best."

One player the Argos need to get going on offence is receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. who was hasn’t been able to put up the production we have come to expect from him. Over his last two games, the 24-year-old has five catched on eight targets for 46 yards which is certainly not adequate.

Expect DaVaris Daniels and Markeith Ambles to see a lot of action in this game as they have been favourite targets for Bethel-Thompson. After only recording two receptions on eight targets against Hamilton, Brandon Banks will need to find a way to expose the Stampeders secondary who are also dealing with injuries.

“We just weren’t able to stay healthy and we’re also trying to get better, we’re trying to find the right mix,” said Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson to Danny Austin of the Calgary Sun. “We do want to find some guys who can play together and ultimately we think this group has a chance to make plays. They’ll have a big challenge against Toronto’s receivers.”

On defence the team has Maurice Carnell IV starting in place of the injured Robert Priester who was moved to boundary halfback with Shaq Richardson sidelined. Deionte Knight, picked in the second round of the 2022 CFL Draft, will also come off the injured list to provide depth at defensive tackle.

The defensive front will have to find a way to get pressure on Bo Levi Mitchell as he will look to take advantage of a banged up secondary. The Argos special teams will also have their hands full with Peyton Logan who has shown he can be effective in the return game.

“You talk about the running game and even if Ka’Deem’s not playing, with Mills and (Peyton) Logan they can still run the ball,” Argos defensive coordinator Corey Mace told reporters. “They’re a well-oiled machine and they’re still the Calgary offence. It’s a task the guys here are aware of.”