9.20.2009

Pick of the Day: Riders vs Eskimos

I mis-listed this damn game in the 14 Days section of our Sept. 10 issue. I have it happening yesterday, but it's really happening today. If the Riders beat the Eskimos, they'll seize sole possession of first place in the West at 7-4. That following Calgary's 24-17 loss to Hamilton in Steeltown on Friday which dropped the Stamps to 6-5. If Edmonton wins, all three teams will be tied at 6-5. Last time Saskatchewan and Edmonton met in late July the Riders gassed a 22-0 lead and ended up losing 38-33. It's a game the Riders would dearly love to have back. Following a 32-8 pasting at the hands of the Stamps on Labour Day the Esks fired offensive coordinator Rick Worman. In the rematch the next week in Edmonton, the offensive rebounded somewhat, but the Esks still lost 35-34. Saskatchewan, meanwhile, demolished the hapless Winnipeg Blue Bombers 55-10. Next week, the Riders and Esks hook up at Commonwealth Stadium. A victory today would give the Riders a chance to win the season series against Edmonton, plus position them comfortably for the stretch drive in a tightly-bunched CFL West . Whether it'll happen or not is anyone's guess. This year, the outcome of CFL games has been harder to predict than the market price of potash. But come kick-off at 2 p.m., Mosaic Stadium will definitely be rocking. Last game I attended was the 2008 pre-season opener. But I could see myself checking this out.