{"id":259844,"date":"2025-11-03T23:46:13","date_gmt":"2025-11-03T23:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/259844\/"},"modified":"2025-11-03T23:46:13","modified_gmt":"2025-11-03T23:46:13","slug":"who-has-the-edge-in-the-western-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/259844\/","title":{"rendered":"Who has the edge in the Western Final?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The BC Lions have been on an absolute tear to close out 2025, but none of that matters if they fall one step short of the big show in a few weeks\u2019 time.<\/p>\n

Nathan Rourke<\/a> might win Most Outstanding Player, and Mathieu Betts<\/a> could take home Most Outstanding Defensive Player, but without a Grey Cup ring, it will all ring hollow in Lion land.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s no team more eager to slam the door shut than the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who host BC on Saturday in the Western Final.<\/p>\n

\"20232025 GREY CUP PLAYOFFS
\u00bb\u00a0Play CFL Pick \u2018Em presented by Old Dutch now!<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Final four matchups set for Hamilton and Saskatchewan<\/a>
\u00bb 6 stats that may loom large in the Division Finals<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Subscribe to the CFL\u2019s newsletter for exclusive offers and league updates<\/a><\/p>\n

QUARTERBACKS<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Both Nathan Rourke<\/a> and Trevor Harris<\/a> went 11-5 in 16 starts this season. Each completed over 70 per cent of their passes, with Harris holding a slight edge at 73.4 per cent. Both also understand exactly what it takes to lead their team to victory in a game of this magnitude.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the thing: Rourke has twice as many 300-yard games (12 to Harris\u2019 six), 10 more explosive pass completions (40 to Harris\u2019 30), seven more touchdowns, and roughly 700 additional passing yards, not to mention his dangerous legs.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s Rourke\u2019s time. Now he has to deliver.<\/p>\n

ADVANTAGE: BC LIONS<\/p>\n

RUNNING BACKS<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

In 17 games, both Saskatchewan\u2019s AJ Ouellette<\/a> and BC\u2019s James Butler<\/a> had stellar seasons. Ouellette finished with just a nine-yard advantage (1,222 to 1,213), but Butler produced three more touchdowns, nine more explosive runs, and a higher yards-per-carry average.<\/p>\n

The Lions\u2019 backfield benefits from more unpredictable run-pass splits, making them harder to defend.<\/p>\n

Saskatchewan\u2019s best chance is to pound the rock and play keep-away from Rourke, leaning on the prairie ground game as their path to the Grey Cup.<\/p>\n

ADVANTAGE: BC LIONS<\/p>\n

RECEIVERS<\/p>\n

MASOLI TO HATCHER SR. TOUCHDOWN!<\/p>\n

Tune into @WestJet<\/a> Canada Day Weekend.
\ud83d\uddd3\ufe0f: @BCLions<\/a> vs. Roughriders LIVE NOW
\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6: TSN, CTV
\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8: CBSSN
\ud83c\udf0e: CFL+ pic.twitter.com\/kiIR8PoDKO<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 CFL (@CFL) June 28, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Keon Hatcher Sr. and Justin McInnis<\/a> reminded everyone last weekend why they finished first and third, respectively, in receiving yards this season.<\/p>\n

Hatcher Sr. alone was dominant, leading the CFL in targets, receptions, yards, yards per game, yards after catch, and 100-yard games. Combined with McInnis\u2019 strong follow-up to his 2024 campaign, the Riders secondary will have its hands full, unless Harris can stretch the field in response.<\/p>\n

One stat to keep in mind: KeeSean Johnson led the league in second-down conversion catches (39). If he and Harris connect consistently, those chains will keep moving, and the impact could be significant by day\u2019s end.<\/p>\n

ADVANTAGE: BC LIONS<\/p>\n

OFFENSIVE LINE
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

OL Jermarcus Hardrick was named a West Division All-CFL offensive lineman in 2025 (Arthur Ward\/CFL.ca)<\/p>\n

The Roughriders averaged 10 fewer rushing yards per game, while BC allowed six fewer sacks, leading the league with only 20 conceded.<\/p>\n

That said, home-field noise matters here. Rourke will battle the decibels and the pressure of trying to go a round further than ever before. His line will feel that urgency as the play clock ticks down and his voice gets hoarser by the snap.<\/p>\n

If the Riders can dominate the trenches with possession passing and punishing runs, they can tilt this matchup, no matter how clean Rourke plays.<\/p>\n

ADVANTAGE: SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS<\/p>\n

DEFENSIVE LINE<\/p>\n

BETTS BRINGS HIM DOWN!<\/p>\n

First sack of the season for the Quebec native!<\/p>\n

Tune into @WestJet<\/a> Canada Day Weekend.
\ud83d\udcc5: @BCLions<\/a> vs Roughriders LIVE NOW
\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6: TSN, CTV
\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8: CBSSN
\ud83c\udf0d: CFL+ pic.twitter.com\/Ddi9a4UHm3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 CFL (@CFL) June 29, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

BC led the CFL in sacks with 45, but Saskatchewan finished just two behind. The Lions also had seven more tackles for loss, while the Riders\u2019 front excelled at holding their ground and shedding blocks for minimal gains.<\/p>\n

Much has been made about Mathieu Betts, and rightfully so, but this one could hinge on who has the bigger impact snap-to-snap: Jonah Tavai<\/a> or Micah Johnson.<\/p>\n

ADVANTAGE: TOSS-UP<\/p>\n

LINEBACKERS
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

LB A.J. Allen (#32) forced six turnovers (three interceptions, three fumbles) in 2025 (The Canadian Press)<\/p>\n

Micah Awe<\/a> has been a relentless force all year, impossible to avoid no matter the play call. On the other side, Jameer Thurman<\/a> has been a steady presence, bolstered by A.J. Allen<\/a>\u2019s expanded role.<\/p>\n

The Riders get the edge here, but the Awe vs. Ouellette matchup will be must-watch isolation camera material.<\/p>\n

ADVANTAGE: SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS<\/p>\n

DEFENSIVE BACKS<\/p>\n

89 YARDS ALL THE WAY HOME! \ud83d\udea8<\/p>\n

Canadian Tevaughn Campbell with a pick 6 to close out the half!<\/p>\n

Tune into @WestJet<\/a> Canada Day Weekend.
\ud83d\udcc5: @sskroughriders<\/a> vs Lions LIVE NOW
\ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6: TSN, CTV
\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8: CBSSN
\ud83c\udf0d: CFL+ pic.twitter.com\/UJY9ONpsL3<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 CFL (@CFL) June 29, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Tevaughn Campbell<\/a> has been electric in 2025, while rookie Jackson Findlay has lived up to expectations after a strong draft process.<\/p>\n

The Riders\u2019 secondary depth gives them the advantage.<\/p>\n

ADVANTAGE: SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS<\/p>\n

KICKERS<\/p>\n

No field goal is easy with this wind!<\/p>\n

Sean Whyte\u2019s field goal from 17 yards swings wildly, but it\u2019s good! One point game in Saskatchewan! #GCPlayoffs<\/a> on TSN & RDS
\ud83d\udcf1: Stream on CFL+ pic.twitter.com\/8fVa57cOtK<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 CFL (@CFL) November 3, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n

Sean Whyte<\/a> has had a special season, highlighted by his late-game heroics against Calgary.<\/p>\n

Brett Lauther<\/a>\u2019s year has been inconsistent, though he\u2019s always capable of shining in the post-season. Still, Whyte gets the nod in clutch situations.<\/p>\n

ADVANTAGE: BC LIONS<\/p>\n

RETURNERS<\/p>\n

Seven McGee showed flashes of stardom in the Western Semi-Final, but Mario Alford<\/a> remains the proven threat. He\u2019s a legitimate danger to score every time he touches the ball.<\/p>\n

ADVANTAGE: SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS<\/p>\n

OVERALL ADVANTAGE: TOSS-UP<\/p>\n

Last year, the question around the Riders was simple: If not now, when?<\/p>\n

It seems they just needed another year under Corey Mace to find their identity.<\/p>\n

The Lions are on a heater, and Rourke is at the centre of it all. It\u2019s a clash of two season-long heavyweights, with Saskatchewan holding home-field advantage.<\/p>\n

The key will be turnovers, which Rourke must avoid, and ground game dominance, which Saskatchewan must control.<\/p>\n

BC has the right formula at the right time. The Lions find a way.<\/p>\n