The Argonauts control their own destiny, a position that seemed both improbable and laughable a few weeks ago when so much was going awry, injuries mounting and uncertainty and unrest swirling amid some misguided and ill-advised words expressed by ownership and upper management.

Players and coaches, by all accounts, have rallied around the many obstacles that were thrown their way, the team playing its best overall game in a road win against B.C. before the Argos went into their bye week.

While the long-term prospects of the franchise remain shrouded in secrecy under owner David Braley’s watch, rumblings can be heard and a lot of pieces are now in play with five games left to be played in the regular season.

David Cynamon’s name has surfaced as a potential bidder, the same David Cynamon who needed Braley’s backing to pay the bills once the shine of a 2004 Grey Cup championship began to wear thin, once reality of the finances of football began to sink in.

Michael (Pinball) Clemons’ name has also surfaced, a face and personality whom some believe has been in contact with high-ranking officials at Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment.

Eventually, the Argos will play at BMO Field and eventually Braley will sell the Argos once cooler heads prevail and once the numbers make sense without any assurances of any revenue percentages of future Grey Cup games to be played in Toronto.

And eventually, the CFL will need to step in and rein in Braley, who has been allowed to carry too much sway as owner of two teams in the nine-team league.

Nothing, it would appear, is imminent on the ownership front and nor is anything imminent on the stadium front, but rest assured there’s a lot of talk and posturing afoot, angling and negotiating.

On the field, the Argos begin a stretch of games against Eastern opponents that will dictate Toronto’s post-season fate.

The road begins Friday night against the visiting Hamilton Tiger-Cats in one of those marquee matchups, a playoff-type backdrop with plenty of repercussions and consequences.

It’s the first of two between the historic rivals within a three-week window, a must-win for the Argos who lost a one-point game to the Ticats on Labour Day.

Five games left, including four at home, two versus Hamilton and two versus Montreal before the Argos close out the regular season with a home game against Ottawa.

Five wins and the Argos secure first in the East.

Five wins and the Argos will match last year’s 10-win total before the team imploded in the second half of its East final loss to the visiting Ticats.

With so much on the line Friday night, the evening is also one of giving as the Argos play host to the hugely successful Purolator Tackle Hunger Night in support of the Toronto Daily Food Bank.

Fans are being asked to bring non-perishable food items to any gate, where some of the Argos’ wives will be providing their support and assistance.

All in all, Friday night has the makings of a classic pitting two teams that have been playing well of late, but an Argo team that clearly has a lot more at stake.

A loss and Hamilton will be two games up on the Argos with the all-important tiebreaker on the side of the Ticats.

An Argos win would force a tie atop the East, which has now become a three-team race featuring Hamilton, Toronto and Montreal.

A West cross-over is very much possible, meaning two teams among the three will qualify for the playoffs.

On the eve of kickoff, Argos head coach Scott Milanovich was reminded of the evening’s enormity, the possibility of what might await and how tantalizing a second straight meeting with Hamilton in the East final could prove.

He refused to take the bite, which should surprise no one who has dealt with Milanovich.

“We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves,’’ said Milanovich, who made a point of not disrespecting the Als, a team that plays host to the free-falling Roughriders this weekend.

“If we want to win the East, we have to win this one,’’ added Milanovich. “Theoretically, this is a playoff game.”

It’s as big as it gets for the Argos, by far the biggest game of the season until next week’s visit by Montreal.

It’s big for Hamilton, but the Ticats have created some separation, albeit slim.

Hamilton can afford a loss, but it can also seize the moment and take control of the East by beating the Argos.

SOMETHING IS AFOOT TONIGHT

A special night of football is in store Friday, one of those rare evenings when rivalry and explosive special-teams play collide.

In Swayze Waters (above left) and Justin Medlock (above right), any drive that gets beyond midfield becomes a field-goal opportunity.

With wind a non-factor, both can easily attempt 60-yard field goals. Argos head coach Scott Milanovich, in fact, felt Waters could be called upon to boot a 65-yard field goal.

“If he hit it well,’’ said Milanovich.

“Maybe longer. The one in B.C. (a CFL season-high 53-yard field goal), someone told me it (football) was caught 15 yards deep in the end zone.

“I know that doesn’t necessarily translate into 15 more yards, but I would guess if he hit it well he can get 65.”

Waters and Medlock are among the best, but Waters is a prime candidate to emerge as the East’s nominee as top special-teams player.

An argument can be made that Hamilton’s special-teams unit is better than the Argos, but Waters is having an MOP-type season.

What the Argos must do is contain the Ticats’ return game and not turn the ball over. When the Ticats edged the Argos 13-12 on Labour Day, the Double Blue fumbled the game’s opening kickoff.

CARTER HEADS TO INJURED LIST

Jalil Carter has done just about everything the Argos have asked of him, playing corner and halfback, forced to adapt to the many new faces who lined up next to him.

When Carter injured a tendon in his elbow during last week’s win over Edmonton, it wasn’t known how long the setback would keep Carter out of action.

On Thursday, the Argos announced their roster and Carter became the latest to join the ranks of the injured, officially placed on the six-game injured list.

“I didn’t have any expectations,’’ said head coach Scott Milanovich of Carter, who started at corner in the team’s 2012 Grey Cup championship.

“I heard today (Thursday) it was close to six weeks. If I had any expectations, it wouldn’t have been that long.”

Donald Washington, who started at corner when the Argos last played the Ticats on Labour Day, and Matt Ware were both listed on the 46-man roster.

Ware made his long-awaited return to the lineup in B.C., used primarily in pass coverage on second down.

For obvious reasons, Milanovich didn’t tip his hand as to who will start at corner, but he did reveal a potential rotation.

With Matt Black back, there’s depth and experience at free safety and on special teams.

In a pinch, Black can also line up at corner.

Second-year safety Jermaine Gabriel remains the Argos’ incumbent at safety.

Black is the only player on defence who was with the Argos two years ago.

And, on Friday, the Double Blue will once again feature an all-American defensive line.