The Saskatchewan Roughriders will know what is at stake by the time they take the field against the Calgary Stampeders at Regina on Saturday in the regular-season finale for both teams.
If the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-7-0) lose earlier Saturday to the Montreal Alouettes (12-4-1), the Roughriders (9-7-1) will be playing for first place in the West Division.
If Winnipeg wins, the Roughriders know they will finish second and would host the West semifinal against the BC Lions on Nov. 2.
The Stampeders (4-12-1), are winless in nine straight games (0-8-1) and will be absent from the postseason for the first time since 2004.
“We can only control what we can and we’re trying to win a game this week,” Saskatchewan coach Corey Mace said. “We stick to what we do and try to handle business like we try to do every week.”
“Out of our control,” Saskatchewan quarterback Trevor Harris said. “We’re just preparing as if it’s a normal week.”
Mace did not say how the meaning of the game might influence his lineup.
“Everything is open from that standpoint,” he said. “The main thing that we want to do is obviously win the game. We want to find ways to get better as we head into the playoffs. That’s the main thing for us. We want to be playing our best ball going into the playoffs.”
Saskatchewan has won four in a row, starting Sept. 20 with a 37-29 victory at Calgary that ended a seven-game winless streak (0-6-1).
Roughriders defensive end Malik Carney (ankle) returned to practice this week. He was injured on Sept. 7 in a 26-21 loss to Winnipeg.
Stampeders quarterback Tommy Stevens, a short-yardage specialist, is one rushing touchdown away from matching the team’s single-season record of 11 for a QB held by Doug Flutie (1992 and 1993) and Henry Burris (2009).
Stevens has 58 carries for 234 yards.
“The record’s been here for a long time,” Stevens said, “so that would be cool if it could happen.”
Calgary’s Jake Maier is scheduled to start at quarterback in place of Matt Shiltz (sore neck), who had started the two previous games.
“We are going there to win and I believe Jake gives us the best chance,” Calgary coach Dave Dickenson said. He added, “The guys rallied and had a great week of practice.”
–Field Level Media
