It’s a good problem to have, one no one could have envisioned when the season began and the euphoria of the Argos winning the Grey Cup subsided.

But when two historic rivals are pitted against each other with a berth in the CFL’s championship game on the line, it speaks to the appeal of three-down football when the stars align.

In the following days, the Ticats will wrestle with different schemes on how to contain Ricky Ray and the Argos’ lethal passing game.

In the days leading up to kickoff, the Argos will have to scheme against a very explosive and versatile Ticats offence that won’t have to deal with the elements.

In the Argos’ boardroom, a decision will ultimately have to be made on whether to open up the 500 level at Rogers Centre.

“That’s the debate we’re having right now,’’ said Argos executive chairman and CEO Chris Rudge. “We don’t do it unless the lower bowl is basically sold out. We’re moving in that direction.”

What’s trending is the demand for tickets among Ticats fans, who weren’t exactly sold on the idea of watching their beloved football team play its home games at Guelph as a new stadium gets built in the Hammer.

Rudge revealed that 2,000 tickets for this Sunday’s East final were sold in the immediate aftermath of Hamilton’s overtime win against Montreal in the divisional semifinal.

“They were all purchased by Hamiltonians,’’ Rudge said. “It just gives you the level of interest and anticipation for this football game. We could have a pretty good house.”

Corporate suites are moving, the football buzz is palpable and the CFL doesn’t have to worry about the state of football in the fickle southern Ontario market.

Not since 1986 have the Argos and Ticats played in the East final, each team alternating between pathetic and powerful in the intervening years.

For the first time in a long while, both the Argos and Ticats finished the regular season with double-digit win totals.

When they met back in 1986, the backdrop was a two-game total point series Hamilton won 59-56.

This year’s teams are loaded with high-end offensive players who will play indoors — so there are absolutely no excuses as far as the playing conditions and weather.

When the teams met in the season opener, the night the Argos unveiled their 100th Grey Cup championship banner, Toronto held on to a 39-34 win, but the Ticats could have easily prevailed had C.J. Gable not dropped a screen pass on the game’s penultimate play.

Ricky Ray and Henry Burris combined to toss for 729 yards, seven touchdowns and zero interceptions, with both teams combining for 936 yards of total offence.

There were no turnovers and a season-high crowd of 29,852 in attendance.

It was vintage CFL, but Sunday’s East final has the potential to be a classic, a game for the ages, a dream matchup that has seemingly taken forever to play out.

“We know the challenge that’s in front of us and the quality of the team we’re playing,’’ said Ticats head coach Kent Austin. “They’re very, very well-coached, have a lot of players who can make a lot of great plays.”

The same applies for the Ticats, in terms of personnel and coaching.

Ultimately, it comes down to quarterback play — and no quarterback is playing at a higher level than Ray, who is rested and healthy.

In the season opener, the Argos went with a no-huddle, took the opening kickoff and went 83 yards on six plays to score the game’s first touchdown.

In Ray’s last regular-season appearance, he threw for a career-high 505 yards.

INSTANT REPLAY

A look back at the three games played between the Argos and Ticats as the two historic rivals meet in this Sunday’s East final for the first time since 1986.

June 28 at Rogers Centre

Argos 39, Ticats 34

Synopsis: Early fireworks saw Argos take opening kickoff and march length of the field for a major. On ensuing kickoff, Lindsey Lamar produces a 104-yard return touchdown. Hamilton has two first-quarter possessions on offence, score two touchdowns.

Key numbers: Argos yielded 31 first-half points, but held Ticats to a field goal in second half. Chad Kackert rushed 10 times for 112 yards, but an ankle injury will keep last year’s Grey Cup MVP on the sidelines this week.

Oct. 4 at Rogers Centre

Ticats 33, Argos 19

Synopsis: Ticats take opening kickoff and need seven plays to march 81 yards, a touchdown drive that consumes close to four minutes. Hamilton dominates time of possession, an advantage that sees the visitors have the football for 35 minutes and eight seconds.

Key numbers: Ticats recorded five sacks, led by ex-Argo LB Brandon Isaac, who was making his return to Toronto after being released early in the season. Argos able to muster only 69 rushing yards and commit 12 penalties for 110 yards.

Oct. 14 at Guelph’s Alumni Stadium

Ticats 24, Argos 14

Synopsis: Return of Ricky Ray from a six-week injury absence in a very disjointed game that isn’t decided until late when Ray’s third-down attempt to Spencer Watt in the end zone is intercepted, Ray’s first pick of the season. C.J. Gable rushes for 118 yards and one TD.

Key numbers: Ticats produced 32 first downs and have possession for 37 minutes and 17 seconds. Argos could only generate 46 yards along the ground while Henry Burris threw for 350 yards. Burris and Ray combined for 70 passing attempts and 653 yards.