4:19 p.m.
It’s Week 20, it’s the greatest rivalry in the Canadian Football League, it’s the Saskatchewan Roughriders taking on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg!
Saskatchewan takes the field with a 12-4 record and clinched top spot in the West Division with their 27-19 victory over the Toronto Argonauts last Friday. As a result, they’ll receive a bye through the first round of the playoffs and will host the West Division Final on Saturday, Nov. 8 at Mosaic Stadium.
Winnipeg is coming off a 25-20 loss to the Edmonton Elks and are fighting for their playoff lives with an 8-8 record. They currently sit in fourth place in the West Division, two points up on Edmonton, with whoever clinches fourth earning a crossover playoff berth.
The CKRM Rider Broadcast Network pre-game show is currently on the air and can be watched on SportsCage.com. Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates will have all the pre-game analysis, with Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder bringing you the game call at 6 p.m.
Saskatchewan’s depth chart: With the West Division clinched, the Roughriders have opted to rest a host of players, which has resulted in all sorts of line-up changes. Two of the biggest see Jake Maier getting the start at quarterback in favour of QB1 Trevor Harris, while Mario Anderson Jr. is in at running back for 1,000-yard rusher A.J. Ouellette.
Maier has a single start under his belt and has completed 25 of 43 passes for 340 yards two touchdowns and an interception.
Anderson has carried the ball 17 times for 129 yards and two touchdowns while playing eight games. With their top three receivers on the sidelines, wide receiver Joe Robustelli leads all pass catchers with 38 catches for 544 yards. Slotback Tommy Nield has 31 catches for 429 yards and leads all receivers with five touchdowns.
Linebacker Jameer Thurman leads the Riders with 82 tackles in addition to three sacks and three interceptions. Defensive end Malik Carney is tops in sacks with six, while defensive end Mike Rose has six. Defensive back Tevaughn Campbell returns to the line-up and leads the team with six interceptions.
Winnipeg’s depth chart: The biggest change for Winnipeg is Nic Demski being forced to the one-game list with a hamstring injury, taking away a 1,000-yard receiver from quarterback Zach Collaros’ arsenal. The news isn’t all bad, as receiver Keric Wheatfall returns to the line-up.
Collaros has completed 239 of 326 passes for 2,866 yards, throwing 16 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Back-up Chris Streveler has completed 92 for 143 passes for 1,090 yards, six touchdowns and 11 picks.
The Bombers offence runs through running back Brady Oliveira, who has 185 carries for 1,088 yards and three touchdowns in addition to 58 catches for 517 yards. Streveler is their main touchdown producer with nine, almost all from his role as Winnipeg’s short yardage quarterback. Wheatfall is the Bombers’ top receiver with 40 catches for 619 yards and four touchdowns, while Jerreth Sterns has 42 catches for 456 yards and four majors.
Linebacker Troy Jones leads Winnipeg in tackles with 95 while defensive end James Vaughters is tops with five sacks. Cornerback Evan Holm leads with four interceptions.
