The old saying in the Canadian Football League (CFL) is that the season doesn’t really begin until the Labour Day Classic.
That rings true for the 2027 season, with plenty still to be decided over the second half of the campaign. Outside of the Montreal Alouettes holding a firm grip on the top spot in the Eastern Division, the playoff picture remains wide open.
In the West, the Edmonton Elks enter the weekend in first place with 16 points and an 8-3 record, holding a two-point advantage over the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who sit at 7-4.
The green and white are trying to fend off the surging BC Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers, both of whom are 6-5. Saskatchewan holds a two-point lead over each team.
The Calgary Stampeders are also within striking distance at 5-6, trailing the Roughriders by four points.
Prairie rivals set for two-game showdown
That sets the stage for a crucial home-and-home series between the prairie rivals, with the teams meeting twice over the next two weeks.
The first matchup comes Sunday in the Labour Day Classic at Mosaic Stadium, followed by the Banjo Bowl on September 12 in Winnipeg.
Both teams enter the series coming off wins last week.
The Blue Bombers picked up a convincing victory over the Alouettes, while the Roughriders rallied to defeat the Toronto Argonauts. Saskatchewan was helped by an offside penalty late in the game that gave the Riders an opportunity to score the go-ahead touchdown.
Riders dealing with key injuries
On the injury front, Saskatchewan will be without linebacker Josh Woods for Sunday’s matchup.
The Roughriders released their injury report following Friday’s practice, confirming Woods will miss the Labour Day Classic with an ankle injury.
He won’t be the only linebacker sidelined, as Nick Wiebe is also out with a knee injury.
Antoine Brooks Jr. is available to return to the roster after being placed on the reserve list during last week’s game against Toronto.
AJ Ouellette has been listed as questionable. The Roughriders running back was a full participant in Thursday’s practice as he continues his recovery from a knee injury that has kept him out of the lineup since the end of July and landed him on Saskatchewan’s six-game injured list.
Defensive back Jaxon Ford is also available after missing last week’s victory over Toronto with an ankle injury.
In his last appearance against the BC Lions on August 23, Ford recorded his first interception of the season.
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Despite a scare earlier in the week after missing a practice, KeeSean Johnson is expected to be good to go Sunday.
Johnson is coming off a strong stretch that saw him earn both Player of the Week and Player of the Month honours.
Johnny Johnson III is also available to return to the starting lineup after missing last week’s game with a head injury.
His return could push newcomer Shemar Bridges back into a backup role. Bridges was thrown into the starting lineup less than a week after signing with the Roughriders.
Recent Labour Day history even
The recent history between Saskatchewan and Winnipeg is about as even as it gets.
Over the last six Labour Day Classics, the Roughriders and Blue Bombers have each won three games.
Last year, Saskatchewan came away with a 34-30 victory over Winnipeg.