Dan Ralph, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Focus has been an underlying theme this week for head coach Ken Miller and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The Roughriders (9-6-1) go into their game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-9) at Ivor Wynne Stadium on Saturday (TSN, 2 p.m. ET) tied with the Calgary Stampeders atop the West Division standings. But the Riders finish their regular season Nov. 7 hosting the Stamps, with the winner clinching first and home-field advantage for the conference final Nov. 22.
Even with so much riding on the regular-season finale, Miller says the Riders can’t afford to look past Hamilton.
“You have to think about the game in Hamilton because if things go awry there and then have a B.C. win in conjunction with that, it could possibly put a big monkey wrench into our plans,” he said. “It’s just very important for us to take care of business one game at a time the way we normally do.”
Still, the Riders have something to play for. They can cement a home playoff game for the third straight season with a win over Hamilton.
The Ticats find themselves in a similar situation in that they’re currently tied with Winnipeg for second in the East Division but will finish their regular season facing the Blue Bombers. The winner of that contest will clinch home-field advantage for the conference semifinal.
The loser, though, could be bumped out of the playoffs by either B.C. or Edmonton. The Lions (8-8) are third in the West Division, two points ahead of the fourth-place Eskimos (7-9). And those two teams will meet at B.C. Place on Nov. 6.
If the fourth-place team in the West finishes with more points than the No. 3 squad in the East, the Western side will cross over and become the third Eastern playoff seed.
But Ticats veteran linebacker Otis Floyd says his team is firmly focused on the Roughriders.
“After (Saturday) we’ll focus on next week,” said Floyd. “We’re not looking ahead at all.
“Really, we’ve been in playoff mode the last couple of games. I’m not thinking about who has to win or lose, I’m just worried about what we have to do. Win and everything takes care of itself.”
Saskatchewan’s secondary will be minus veteran defensive back Eddie Davis (knee). Davis could return but only if the Riders reach the West Division final Nov. 22.
Saskatchewan could feel Davis’s absence against Hamilton as quarterback Kevin Glenn has been stellar his last two starts. He has completed 57-of-82 passes (69.5 per cent) for 828 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions.
“He has been on the top of his game the last couple of weeks,”Miller said of Glenn. “He has Arland Bruce III as a really good weapon and they have a good running game.
“He is managing their football games well.”
Bruce, obtained from Toronto earlier this season, is the CFL’s third-leading receiver with 79 catches for 1,146 yards (14.5-yard average) and eight touchdowns. Ticats’ rookie running back DeAndra’ Cobb needs just 20 yards to surpass 1,000 yards rushing and become the record seventh player to do so this season.
Saskatchewan tailback Wes Cates also has a chance at a 1,000-yard campaign. He comes in having run for 858 yards so far this season and has definitely caught the Ticats’ eye.
“He’s been a good back ever since he came into the league,” said Floyd.
But it’s quarterback Darian Durant who makes the Riders’ offence go. The five-foot-11, 214-pound Durant is fourth overall in passing (3,989 yards) while also rushing for 440 yards (8.3-yard average). he has thrown 22 TD strikes but also given up 20 interceptions.
“He’s able to go to secondary receivers . . . he makes plays with his feet,” Miller said. “He just sees a lot and that comes with maturity.”
A fact not lost upon Floyd.
“He really stepped up this year, he’s a really good quarterback,” he said. “He can run, he can throw, he can read defences really well.
“We have a challenge but we’re always up for a good challenge. If he decides to run, we’re going to have to make sure we put a helmet on him.
“Our key will be to play sound football. Whoever makes the most mistakes is going to lose the game so we have to make sure we make the fewest mistakes possible. If the opportunity presents itself for you to make a play, you need to make it.”
The game will be Saskatchewan fullback Chris Szarka’s first since he was elected as a Regina city councillor Wednesday.
“It’s a pain in the neck now because you have to say, ‘Mr. Councilman, would you get in their please?’ ” Miller said in jest. “When I talk about character in our lockerroom, certainly he’s one of the men of character . . . and I know he will carry that diligence into community service.”
