{"id":220164,"date":"2025-10-17T16:22:10","date_gmt":"2025-10-17T16:22:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/220164\/"},"modified":"2025-10-17T16:22:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-17T16:22:10","slug":"saskatchewan-roughriders-hoping-their-cfl-postseason-preparations-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/220164\/","title":{"rendered":"Saskatchewan Roughriders hoping their CFL postseason preparations work"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Kayle Neis\/Regina Leader-Post
\nSaskatchewan Roughriders offensive coordinator Marc Mueller (left) watches the CFL team practising at Mosaic Stadium on Tuesday, Oct.14\/25.<\/p>\n

Darrell Davis<\/p>\n

Regina Leader-Post<\/p>\n

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have absolutely no idea if this is going to work.<\/p>\n

Nobody does, really, when a first-place CFL team clinches an early playoff berth and decides how best to prepare for the postseason. Should they rest their starters for their last two regular-season games?<\/p>\n

Only one game? Neither game?<\/p>\n

\u201cThere\u2019s lots of conversations about that,\u201d said Roughriders offensive co-ordinator Marc Mueller. \u201cWe kind of lean on prior experience in that way.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd sometimes you don\u2019t know whether it\u2019s right or wrong until the very end.\u201d<\/p>\n

The goal is to reach and win the Grey Cup on Nov. 16 in Winnipeg. Before that potential championship contest the Roughriders have two regular-season matchups remaining, with a road game Friday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers followed by an Oct. 25 home game against the B.C. Lions, followed by a bye and a home playoff game.<\/p>\n

Head coach Corey Mace was asked about his team\u2019s resting players. Mace has handled his players pretty well during his two seasons in charge, which earlier this week helped earn himself and Riders general manager Jeremy O\u2019Day two-year contract extensions.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s kind of position specific, or player specific,\u201d said Mace, whose team boasts a CFL-best 12-4 record after clinching first place in the West and a bye into the Nov. 8 divisional final with a 27-19 victory over the visiting Toronto Argonauts last Friday.<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe rest for a game but there are still some guys who have to get out there and get some work in. It\u2019s really about sharpening our tools and the process of what we do to get better as a team with everybody involved in it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Mace was asked if the plan could differ for the game against the Lions, who have won four straight contests and appear destined for second place in the West, which would earn them hosting privileges for the 3-versus-2 semifinal Nov. 1.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m week to week, you know that,\u201d Mace said with a grin. \u201cI don\u2019t even know what we are eating for lunch today.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter that I don\u2019t know what\u2019s happening.\u201d<\/p>\n

Based on their recent practices and injury updates, it looks like Riders quarterback Trevor Harris, tailback A.J. Ouellette, centre Logan Ferland and tackle Jermarcus Hardrick won\u2019t be playing in Winnipeg. Injured receivers KeeSean Johnson and Dohnte Meyers and kicker Brett Lauther could also be sidelined. Most of the changes come on offence, where veteran backup Jake Maier is expected to be the quarterback and rookie Mario Anderson the tailback.<\/p>\n

There may also be some defensive players sitting out, particularly in a secondary ravaged by injuries to Rolan Milligan Jr., Tevaughn Campbell, Marcus Sayles, Nelson Lokombo and Jaxon Ford. Otherwise it looked like most of Saskatchewan\u2019s healthy defenders will play against the Blue Bombers, whose 8-8 record leaves them struggling to earn a playoff berth.<\/p>\n

In a weird twist, Saskatchewan\u2019s roster tactics could help the Blue Bombers move up in the standings. It could also help the Lions, if the Roughriders also play mainly backups against the CFL\u2019s hottest team.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnytime you go out there, it\u2019s to win,\u201d said Mueller. \u201cWe talk at the start of the year that no matter what year you\u2019re in \u2014 rookie, 10th year, veterans, all-stars \u2014 you\u2019re here because we believe in you and we expect when you get out there to play winning football.\u201d<\/p>\n

Harris recently admitted he was having arm problems earlier this season, which helped explain why his passes had lost some zip. It\u2019s a good idea for 39-year-old Harris, the Riders\u2019 unquestioned leader, to get some time off. How much time?<\/p>\n

\u201cYou want him to be fresh,\u201d said Mueller. \u201cYou want him to feel like he didn\u2019t practise today, which gives him an extra day off. But the arms soreness thing, he didn\u2019t really tell us that.<\/p>\n

\u201cTrevor doesn\u2019t really complain about anything. He wants every single rep of every practice and every game. That\u2019s the only thing he tells me. So that other stuff, sometimes you guys find that out before me.\u201d<\/p>\n

As Mueller said, Saskatchewan\u2019s tactics won\u2019t show themselves as effective or ineffective until after the Grey Cup. And they know only two of the last five Grey Cup champions have been first-place finishers.<\/p>\n

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