When the CFL drew up the 2008 schedule, it certainly didn’t do Calgary Stampeders head coach John Hufnagel any favours.

Hufnagel makes his CFL head-coaching debut Thursday night against the B.C. Lions, a team that last year posted a league-best 14-3-1 regular-season record. What’s more, B.C.’s Wally Buono is the undisputed dean of CFL head coaches.

A three-time winner of the CFL’s coach of the year award, Buono is entering his 18th season on the sidelines and has led his teams to 12 career first-place finishes and eight Grey Cup appearances (winning four times). Under Buono, B.C. has finished atop the West Division standings the last four years.

Then again, this is hardly news to Hufnagel, who worked as Buono’s offensive co-ordinator in Calgary from 1990 to 1996 with the two appearing in three Grey Cups together, winning in ‘92.

“I’m thrilled about being on the sidelines for my first game in the CFL as a head coach,” Hufnagel said. “I’m coaching against a person who’s a very good friend of mine and he’s helped me tremendously throughout my career and I’m thrilled about the opportunity.

“Coaches don’t play. The players will decide the game. Hopefully I did my job as far as getting them as prepared as I possibly can. It all comes down to when the whistle blows and our 42 (players) go against their 42.”

The ‘08 CFL season kicks off in Hamilton on Thursday night, with the Tiger-Cats hosting the Montreal Alouettes (7 p.m. ET). The Stampeders and Lions will meet in the nightcap at McMahon Stadium (10 p.m. ET).

The Toronto Argonauts face off against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Canad Inns Stadium on Friday night (8 p.m., ET). Then on Saturday night, the Saskatchewan Roughriders begin their Grey Cup title defence at home to the Edmonton Eskimos (7:30 p.m. ET).

Hufnagel won’t be the only CFL head coach making his debut this week. Montreal’s Marc Trestman, Toronto’s Rich Stubler and Saskatchewan’s Ken Miller will also be appearing in their first regular-season games.

But no one’s opening-week task will be tougher than Hufnagel’s. Not only will he be matching wits with the CFL’s top head coach - Buono is second all-time in regular-season wins with 216, just 15 behind overall leader Don Matthews - but the Lions also counter with a roster full of proven all-stars on both sides of the ball. What’s more, B.C. was a league-best 7-1-1 on the road last year.

Calgary enters the contest with a solid offensive contingent led by quarterback Henry Burris (CFL-high 34 TD passes last year, second in passing yards with 4,279), but a lot of questions about its defence. The Stampeders were ranked near the bottom of most defensive categories last year so in the off-season they hired former Montreal defensive co-ordinator Chris Jones and dipped into free agency to sign linebacker JoJuan Armour and defensive backs Richard Karikari and Dwight Anderson.

While Buono’s coaching record speaks for itself, Hufnagel has amassed a very impressive resume as well.

He has CFL coaching experience with both Calgary and Saskatchewan, spent five years in the NFL as a quarterbacks coach with Cleveland, Indianapolis, New England and Jacksonville, working with the likes of Peyton Manning, Tom Brady and Mark Brunell. Hufnagel earned a Super Bowl ring in ‘03 with the Patriots before serving as the New York Giants offensive co-ordinator from 2004 to ‘06 with Peyton’s brother, Eli, under centre. Eli Manning helped lead the Giants to a Super Bowl title.

Alouettes versus Ticats

At Hamilton, Alouettes receiver/kick-returner Jason Armstead will face his former team. The Ticats released Armstead after being unable to reach an agreement on a contract extension. However, Armstead has said he has no grudge against the Ticats’ front office and won’t be playing any harder to prove it made a mistake in releasing him. A bigger concern for Montreal will be playing this game with 11 players on the injured list, including slotback Ben Cahoon and backup quarterback Marcus Brady. Hamilton, which posted a CFL-worst 3-15 record last year, will start Casey Printers at quarterback and Canadian Jesse Lumsden at tailback.

Argonauts versus Blue Bombers

At Winnipeg, Kevin Glenn gets the start after suffering a broken left arm against Toronto in last year’s 19-9 East Division final win. But the Bombers will be minus all-star slotback Milt Stegall (knee) and rookie kicker Alexis Serna will also punt as veteran Duncan O’Mahony broke his toe after stubbing it en route to the bathroom Sunday night. Kerry Joseph, last year’s CFL outstanding player, is expected to get the start for Toronto ahead of Michael Bishop, last year’s incumbent.

Eskimos versus Roughriders

At Regina, the Riders begin their title defence with a new coach (Miller) and new starting quarterback (Marcus Crandell). Miller was the offensive co-ordinator last year but was promoted when Kent Austin left to become the offensive co-ordinator at Ole Miss, his alma mater. Crandell replaces Joseph as the starter. The Eskimos, who’ve missed the playoffs two straight years, were active this off-season, obtaining the likes of former Riders rush end Fred Perry, quarterback Jason Maas, cornerback Jordan Younger and kicker-punter Noel Prefontaine.