Three questions to ponder as the CFL’s 68th season kicks off

The GIST: One less down, the (modified) rouge, longer fields (for now) — there’s nothing quite like Canadian football. And the 68th CFL season started with a bang as the Montreal Alouettes beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 30–27 in overtime last night.

• Before Week 1 rolls on, let’s kick around a few questions about the 21-week campaign ahead.

🏆 Can the Saskatchewan Roughriders repeat?: Defense was the reigning champs’ calling card last season, but their ferocious front seven lost some key pieces in free agency. Still, with most of their championship squad ready to run it back — including 40-year-old quarterback (QB) Trevor Harris and running back A.J. Ouellette — the Riders remain the team to beat.

👑 Who could steal their crown?: The Riders’ biggest threat is the BC Lions, who are helmed by the CFL’s most impactful player: Canada’s own Nathan Rourke. If the Lions can protect their superstar and build on last year’s late-season momentum, a banner could be in their future.

• That said, expect this season to be a parity party with all nine teams realistically in contention to hoist the coveted Grey Cup come November. That’s right, all 95 games are appointment viewing.

😵‍💫 Can the Lions and Toronto Argonauts withstand the chaos?: Both teams will be briefly, ahem, booted out of their home stadiums (BC Place and BMO Field, respectively) to make way for the upcoming FIFA men’s World Cup. The Lions will play two home games in Kelowna, while the Boatmen will be all over the map…literally. May the odds be ever in their favor.