The definition of a rivalry is two competitive teams duking it out for supremacy.
The Edmonton Eskimos aren't doing their part in the Battle of Alberta.
For the second consecutive visit to McMahon Stadium, the Eskimos were completely humiliated by the Calgary Stampeders.
This time, the Eskimos coughed up six turnovers, gave up three safeties and had a whopping five rushing yards in a 52-5 pounding delivered by the Stamps in front of 34,559 spectators.
Including their 56-15 loss Aug. 15 at McMahon, the Stamps have owned the Eskimos this season in incredible fashion.
The worst news is these two teams meet again Friday at Commonwealth Stadium in an inexplicably one-sided rivalry.
"We don't explain it," said Stamps receiver Nik Lewis. "We will just try to do it again.
"This is the only way we can get where we're trying to go. We don't want to come out lackadaisical. We want to beat the second-best team in the league. We want to beat the eighth-best team in this league.
"It don't matter who you are. When you step on the field with us, we want to beat you. We want to prove we're this good every week."
With the win, the Stamps improve to 8-1 on the season and are in complete control of the CFL's West Division.
The Eskimos are 2-7 and tied with the B.C. Lions for third, but both teams have to worry about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-7) for the crossover.
After setting another record for most lopsided Stamps win over the Eskimos in history, it was also the earliest exit for quarterback Henry Burris in recent memory.
Burris came out with seven minutes left in the third quarter going 15-of-23 passing for 226 yards with three touchdowns and one interception.
The biggest Stamps major, though, was by defensive back Brandon Smith, who ripped the ball out of receiver Kelly Campbell's hands and returned it for a 52-yard interception TD.
"When we scored points and our defence does what they are doing, we put pressure on the opposition," Burris said. "It's the way we play our game. We just want to keep this going.
"What we've done so far is a good thing. We're happy with what we've done, but we're not satisfied. There's no ring being given to us now. We're keeping our foot on the pedal. We want to keep pouring it on right now. We want to do what we can to get better."
Romby Bryant had two of the touchdowns to up his season total to seven. He had zero in 2009, setting the CFL record for most yards without a major.
Ken-Yon Rambo had the other from Burris, and Rambo caught the first pass that sent the QB into 10th place in all-time passing yards, eclipsing Dieter Brock.
Backup QB Drew Tate tossed a late TD to Deon Murphy to add further salt to the wound.
The Eskimos started the game without their best weapon in Fred Stamps and they promptly lost the next two best ones.
Running back Arkee Whitlock left in the second quarter with an injury, and receiver Kelly Campbell was out in the third frame.
It was an awful day for Ricky Ray.
He was constantly pounded to the turf by Stampeders defenders and left in the third quarter going 9-of-22 passing for 157 yards and two interceptions.
"It looked like Ricky was really tired of taking hits," said Stamps defensive end Mike Labinjo, who landed hard on Ray.
"I'm not sure if he took himself out or (Esks head coach) Richie (Hall) took him out.
"We proved we are the best defence in this league and the first game wasn't a fluke."
ian.busby@sunmedia.ca
