The Calgary Stampeders look to improve their league-best 9-1 record tonight against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The two rivals haven’t met since July 24th, when they were competing for first place in the Western Conference. Calgary entered that game with a 2-1 record, Saskatchewan a perfect 3-0. At McMahon Stadium, Calgary was able to demolish the men in green 40-20 and since then, the two teams have gone in very different directions.The Stampeders have won all six games they’ve played, outscoring their opponents by 125 points. They’re a perfect 5-0 at home, a perfect 6-0 against the Western Conference and are currently riding a seven game winning streak. The Riders, meanwhile, have posted a 3-3 record, including two losses worthy of placement in the CFL Hall of Shame. On August 28th, the Riders lost to the hapless Edmonton Eskimos, the worst team in the league. That’s the same team the Stampeders have beaten three times this season, outscoring them 144-40 in the process. The Riders’ other shameful loss happened last week, when they marched into Winnipeg to face the mighty Blue Bombers. However, Winnipeg sent their Western neighbours home with a 31-2, humiliating, defeat.
You’d think the Stampeders would be the favourites, or even the heavy favourites heading into tonight’s game. This isn’t the case however. For you gamblers out there, the WCLC has marked the Stamps as 2.5 point favourites. A team that has scored 192 points in its’ last four games and leads the league in every single defensive category, is only favoured by 2.5 points? The Herald has also taken the Riders, because they’re in a “foul mood”, and because although the Stamps have won seven straight, their margin of victory “…on the road is only 11 points.” Always the sign of a weak team.
How is it that people could still think this game will be close? The Stampeders have clearly shown they’re the best team in the league and the Riders have proven they aren’t. Perhaps it comes from the stream of optimism flying out of the easiest-to-draw province. Yesterday, Riders quarterback Darian Durant said, “...we feel like we have them in a great position and we’re ready to go out there and do what it takes to get this win.” I believe that’s exactly what France said about Germany in 1940. Meanwhile, Lance Frazier, Rider DB, sharing his QB’s optimism said he knows they’re a better team than what they have shown, but he “…can’t put (his) finger on what has happened.” When I first read this, I couldn’t put my finger…on where I’d heard it before. Then it donned on me: last April, from Darryl Sutter, who maintained the Flames were only three points away from being a Stanley Cup contender. I’m sad to say I don’t share in either man’s positive outlook.
So don’t believe the hype you hear coming from the home of Colin Thatcher, the Stampeders are going to win this game. And they’re going to cover the 2.5 point spread.
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2 comments:
The only chance the Riders have is if they Capitalize on Burris' league worst record of throwing interceptions, but they still have to get through the wall of horsemen of the defensive end. Never an easy task. But if Burris doesn't make that mistake 5 times, the Riders stand very little chance.
Agreed. Luckily this year, as you mentioned, the defense is so solid, even with Hank's 14 interceptions, the other teams still can't score any touchdowns.
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