The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Saskatchewan Roughriders couldn’t ask for better scenarios.
Both CFL teams can lock up first place in their respective divisions by winning home games this week. If they succeed, the Ticats and Roughriders won’t play another game that matters until they host division finals on Nov. 8.
The Roughriders have the easier task — on paper, at least — as they entertain the eliminated Toronto Argonauts to kick off the third-last week of the regular season on Friday night.
The Argos will start Jarret Doege at quarterback with Nick Arbuckle out for the season with a shoulder injury). Defensive leader and linebacker Wynton McManis (groin) also is out.
“I think you step back and look at the big picture once in a while and say ‘you win one game, you get this,'” Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris told reporters in Regina earlier this week. “If you can win a fight in the first round of three rounds, you do it.”
The Roughriders snapped a two-game skid with a win in Ottawa against the lowly Redblacks last week, and get a chance to wrap up the best path to the Grey Cup against another weak team.
An upset loss could put pressure on the Roughriders, as they finish their season with much tougher games against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and B.C. Lions.
“Happy obviously to this point, but not really satisfied,” Roughriders head coach Corey Mace said. “We haven’t scratched where we need to get to yet.”
One area to watch will be the kicking game with veteran Canadian Brett Lauther back for the Roughriders after being replaced last week by Campbell Fair, who missed two converts.
Lauther has had by far the worst year of his career, but will get another shot to redeem himself this week. American kicker Michael Hughes was signed this week, giving the Roughriders another option if Lauther can’t find his form, though that would require a ratio change.
Meanwhile, the Ticats host the slumping Calgary Stampeders on Saturday.
Hamilton sacked Argos quarterbacks a CFL season-high nine times in a 47-29 road win last week, erasing memories of a pitiful 40-3 loss the previous time out in Winnipeg.
The Stamps have lost four in a row and could be in danger of missing the playoffs if they keep sliding.
“We’ve got to go out and win a game. Nobody’s gonna help us,” Ticats coach Scott Milanovich said. “That is truly the mindset right now.”
While the Roughriders would need a collapse to miss finishing first, the rest of the division presents the most intrigue the rest of the way.
The surging B.C. Lions (9-7) have taken over second in the West, just in front of the Blue Bombers and Stamps (both 8-7). The Edmonton Elks (6-9) remain in contention for a playoff spot, too. If they win out and get a little help, the Elks could get in.
But if the Stamps beat Hamilton and Edmonton loses to Winnipeg this week, the Elks will be eliminated and the six CFL playoff qualifiers will be confirmed with two weeks remaining.
With the Argos and Redblacks eliminated, the fourth-place West team will be a crossover playoff team in the East for the 13th time since the format was introduced in 1996.
No crossover team has ever made the Grey Cup.
Friday, Oct. 10: Toronto Argonauts (5-11) at Saskatchewan Roughriders (11-4), 9 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. ST
Saturday, Oct. 11: Calgary Stampeders (8-7) at Hamilton Tiger-Cats (10-6), 3 p.m. ET
Saturday, Oct. 11: Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-7) at Edmonton Elks (6-9), 7 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. MT
Monday, Oct. 13: Ottawa Redblacks (4-11) at Montreal Alouettes (8-7), 1 p.m. ET