Can the Calgary Stampeders Beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers with Mitchell at QB?

Although the Calgary Stampeders picked up a huge win last weekend against the Montreal Alouettes, coming from way behind to earn the 38-27 victory, it came with a price.

Backup quarterback Kevin Glenn, starting in place of injured No. 1 QB Drew Tate, suffered an arm injury in the second half, forcing the Stamps to go to third-string pivot Bo Levi Mitchell.

Mitchell acquitted himself well late in the game, completing seven of 13 passes for 49 yards and two touchdowns while also adding 29 rushing yards on three carries.

Calgary head coach and general manager John Hufnagel has confirmed that Kevin Glenn's injury will keep him out of the starting role this coming weekend when the Stampeders travel to Winnipeg to face the Blue Bombers. Calgary Sun reporter Scott Mitchell reported via Twitter on Wednesday:

"

Hufnagel said QB will be a gameday decision. It's either Bo Levi or Tate. KG will be 3rd string #calstampeders #cfl

— Scott Mitchell (@SUNMitchell) July 24, 2013"

Whether or not Tate takes his spot under centre will depend entirely on the condition of his arm, and it seems likely that, given the fragility he has shown in the past couple of years, they won't put him in that situation until he is 100 percent healthy.

That means it might be time for Mitchell to see his first CFL start.

Although most of his game reps to date have been in short yardage situations—he has more rushes (41) than pass attempts (34) since his arrival with the Stamps in 2012—his passing so far has been decent, completing 55.9 percent of his attempts for a solid passer's rating of 90. 

Add in the fact that the Blue Bombers could be vulnerable—they've started the season with a 1-3 record and they'll be starting backup quarterback Justin Goltz because No. 1 QB Buck Pierce is also hurt—and this might be the perfect situation to see what Mitchell can do. 

On the other hand, the Bombers have already picked up 19 sacks in just four games, and all that pressure could break the untested young pivot.

When you add all of the factors up, however, it seems like this is the time to give Mitchell his shot, if he's ever going to get one. The Blue Bombers are a soft opponent, notwithstanding their pass rush, which gives Mitchell his best chance to have a positive impact. 

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