On one side, there’s a defensive line that likes to get after quarterbacks and has the league’s leader in sacks.
On the other side, there’s an offensive line that has allowed their signal caller to be brought down the second fewest number of times.
Friday’s pivotal clash between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders could come down to what happens at the line of scrimmage when the green team has the ball.
“This is going to be a cool matchup,” SportsCage regular and CFL on TSN analyst Glen Suitor said on the show Thursday.
The Riders will clinch a playoff berth by beating the Stampeders.
To do that, they’ll have to hinder a pass rush that includes Clarence Hicks, who tops the CFL with 11 sacks. Suitor said he’s “almost impossible to stop.”
The problems don’t stop there.
Folarin Orimolade got off to a slow start to the season but is now up to five sacks. Suitor said his first step is much like that of former B.C. Lions great and ex-NFLer Cameron Wake’s.
Throw in former Rider Miles Brown and Jaylon Hutchings in the middle and the Saskatchewan front five will have its hands full.
The Riders are preparing for the challenge.
“You look across at that defensive front (and) you’re looking at really good players at all four of those positions,” Saskatchewan coach Corey Mace said. “It’s a challenge our guys have got to be ready for.
“Whether (running back) A.J. (Ouellette) has to take care and helping out in protection like he always does, he’ll be ready for that as well as the boys up front.”
As Mace suggests, the Riders should have the personnel to not be overwhelmed.
In addition to Ouellette, who’s regarded as arguably the best blocking running back in the CFL, they’ve got all their starters in action. There’s Logan Ferland at centre, Jacob Brammer and Zack Fry at the guards, and Payton Collins and Jermarcus Hardrick at the tackles.
The Riders have allowed 19 sacks, second only to Montreal’s 12.
“The O line for Saskatchewan has been outstanding,” Suitor said. “They have not got the credit they deserve.”
It won’t just be on the blocking to keep the Stampeders pass rushers at bay.
Quarterback Trevor Harris will have to get the ball out quickly and accurately, two traits for which he’s known. He also must keep those Stampeders guessing as much as possible.
“If you’re just sitting in the same launch point and (going into) deep dockets in second and extra long, putting stress on your tackles, it can be a rough night,” Harris said. “They’ve got elite defensive line play. We’ve just got to make sure we’re able to mix it up, give them different looks, whether it be protection schemes, run schemes, whether it be by play selection.
“We’ll make sure we’re doing our best to keep them off balance.”
Still, it won’t be easy for the Riders even if Harris gets his passes out fast and on the money.
This is the matchup to watch. The Riders will almost certainly have to manage it well to have success.
“The O line is going to be under the gun here because this is going to be a challenge,” Suitor said. “That’s the concern if I’m a Riders fan, that that D line could go off and have a big game.”
Hear the game on the 620 CKRM Cooperators Rider Broadcast Network. The pregame show starts at 4:30.
