11:02 a.m.
The Riders have had luck with the weather almost all season, but today, my oh my. Not only is it going to be cool out with a temperature of around 4 C at kickoff, it’s going to be an absolute wind tunnel with a steady blow of 60 km/h out of the west and gusts hitting 90 km/h.
Ever stuck your hand out of a car window going highways speeds? That’s what the quarterbacks and kickers will be dealing with at points today.
But at least it isn’t going to rain!
11:01 a.m.
The Rider Broadcast Network pregame show is on the air, with Teagan Witko and Wes Cates joined by plenty of special guests and setting everyone up for the contest. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder will then have the game call at kickoff at 1 p.m. from Mosaic Stadium.
11 a.m.
After weeks of worry and concern over the Saskatchewan Roughriders playoff hopes, it’s finally come down to this — a virtually meaningless game between two teams destined for the postseason, and also a chance for Riders fans to relax and enjoy a game without a ton of pressure surrounding the team.
It’ll be the third meeting of the season between Saskatchewan at the Edmonton Elks, with the visitors having won both previous meetings. Edmonton prevailed 36-24 back in Week 8 at Mosaic Stadium, Saskatchewan got their revenge with a 28-26 victory the following week at Commonwealth Stadium.
Neither team’s roster will look even remotely close to what was on the field in those two games this afternoon.
Saskatchewan will give quarterback Jack Coan his first CFL start, while running back A.J. Ouellette, receiver KeeSean Johnson, defensive end James Vaughters, offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick and defensive back DaMarcus Fields — all key contributors to the Riders success — will be on the sidelines.
A player to watch for the Riders will be running back Deon Jackson, who saw some success in the NFL a couple of seasons ago and will be making his first CFL start as well.
As for the Elks, hoo boy.
The West Division regular season champs will be resting more than a dozen starters on Saturday afternoon, beginning at quarterback where Taylor Powell will get his first start with the Elks. Standout running back Justin Rankin and receiver Austin Mack are two of the offensive players sitting out, while receiver Kaion Julien-Grant will see limited reps as a back-up.
Defensive ends Malik Carney and Noah Taylor highlight no less than eight defensive starters sitting out.
So this one will essentially be a battle of the back-ups, but there is something on the line for the Riders, at least.
Should Saskatchewan win, they’ll stay in the West Division and face the B.C. Lions in the semifinal next weekend. A loss and they’re off to Toronto to take on the Argonauts in the cross-over East semifinal.
Going to be a curious contest, but one everyone can relax and have fun watching at the same time!
Saskatchewan’s depth chart:
Edmonton’s depth chart:
