We’re six weeks into the 2025 CFL season, and the sample size is big enough to reveal which preseason expectations missed the mark.
The Argonauts opened as Grey Cup favorites but have stumbled out of the gate, while the Stampeders are already nearing last year’s win total.
Here’s a look at the biggest overachievers and underachievers of the 2025 season, and how to bet them in the latest CFL odds.
Overachiever: 
Calgary Stampeders
The biggest overachiever this season has been the Calgary Stampeders. They finished with just five wins last year but are off to a 4-1 start this season.
Calgary beat the previously unbeaten Bombers 37-16 in Week 5 and proved that wasn't a fluke by taking down another previously unbeaten squad in the Roughriders last week.
The Stamps have the highest-rated offensive line in the league per PFF, and Dedrick Mills has rushed for 396 yards on 5.1 yards per carry.
QB Vernon Adams Jr. has also been locked in the last two weeks, while first pick overall Damien Alford broke out with six catches for 156 yards against the Riders.
Dave Dickenson's team has also been stingy on defense, leading the league in yards allowed per pass attempt (6.88), opponent second-down conversion rate, and big plays allowed (7).
Run defense has been a weakness, but it should improve with the addition of star linebacker Adam Bighill, who is on the verge of making his team debut after being signed last month.
The Stamps are currently at the top of the CFL Power Rankings, and being able to grab them at +600 to win the Grey Cup is great value.
Underachiever: 
Toronto Argonauts
Nobody has been more disappointing than the defending Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts, who are 1-4 to start the year.
It isn't a surprise that their offense has struggled with QB Chad Kelly still sidelined, but their defense has been awful.
Losing half of their starters from last year has been devastating, while star linebacker Wynton McManis has been injured since Week 2.
While I don't think there's value in their Grey Cup odds, there should be a great opportunity for betting Overs.
The Argos lost 51-38 last week, and when Kelly returns (likely within the next few weeks), they should be flying past totals.
Underachiever: 
Edmonton Elks
It might seem strange to call the Edmonton Elks an underachiever when they weren't expected to make the playoffs this year. That said, they were supposed to be competitive after a strong finish to the 2024 season, and they've been anything but.
The biggest problem has been on defense, where the Elks, at least on paper, should be significantly better than last year.
They replaced their entire defensive line, pillaging three starters from Toronto's elite front. Edmonton also shored up its secondary with three new starters, including shutdown corner Tyrell Ford and impact safety Royce Metchie.
That infusion of talent has done nothing to raise the level of this stop unit. The Elks are last in the league in scoring defense (34.0 ppg allowed), yards allowed per play (7.65), opponent pass efficiency (131.0), and sacks (3).
Edmonton's offense has also stalled, with its receivers unable to get separation and the line struggling in pass protection.
This is a team that you should keep fading, especially at home, where the Elks are 6-31 SU and 7-29-1 ATS since 2021.
Overachiever: 
Bo Levi Mitchell
Bo Levi Mitchell proved that he still had plenty in the tank last year.
After a string of injury-plagued and turnover-prone seasons, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats gunslinger caught fire down the stretch in 2024 and finished with a league-leading 5,451 passing yards and 32 touchdowns.
He's off to a strong start in 2025, which has vaulted him to the top of the MOP odds board at +380.
That said, I would suggest not buying him at this price. The Ticats are currently 3-2, but it will be tough for them to stay on top of the East Standings once the Als get back QB Davis Alexander.
In addition, many of the other top QBs around the league have missed time due to injuries, but have recently gotten healthy.
Mitchell won't find it easy to outpace them in the final two months of the season, especially if the 35-year-old has any injury setbacks of his own.
Underachiever: 
Zach Collaros
Zach Collaros missed the first game of this year due to a suspension and then looked rusty in his season debut in Week 3.
However, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers pivot bounced back with a 334-yard, three-touchdown performance against Edmonton before throwing a pair of costly interceptions in Week 5 at McMahon Stadium.
Don't forget that Collaros started slow last year before flipping the switch and leading Winnipeg to another West Division title.
The two-time CFL MOP's track record suggests positive regression, and he's surrounded by a bevy of weapons in Brady Oliveira, Dalton Schoen, Nic Demski, and Keric Wheatfall.
Winnipeg is still tied for the second-best Grey Cup odds, and the likelihood of team success makes their franchise QB a great value play on the MOP odds board at +1,100.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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