{"id":264235,"date":"2025-11-05T22:19:20","date_gmt":"2025-11-05T22:19:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/264235\/"},"modified":"2025-11-05T22:19:20","modified_gmt":"2025-11-05T22:19:20","slug":"3-x-factors-that-could-impact-the-western-final","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/264235\/","title":{"rendered":"3 X-factors that could impact the Western Final"},"content":{"rendered":"

For the first time in almost 20 years, this season\u2019s Western Final features the Saskatchewan Roughriders and BC Lions. The last time these two teams met this deep in the playoffs was 2007, when the Riders took a 26-17 win over BC one week before snapping their long championship drought in the 95th Grey Cup.<\/p>\n

Of course, you only have to go back to last season for the last time the Lions and Riders met in the post-season. In last year\u2019s Western Semi-Final, it was Saskatchewan prevailing 28-19 at Mosaic Stadium, which just happens to be the site for this year\u2019s showdown, too.<\/p>\n

\"20232025 GREY CUP PLAYOFFS
\u00bb 3 storylines to watch in the Western Final<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Who has the edge in the Western Final?<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a0Where to watch the CFL Division Finals<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a06 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

Wire-to-wire, the Roughriders were the league\u2019s best team in 2025 and are betting favourites for Saturday afternoon as a result. And, in their two representative head-to-head meetings this year, Saskatchewan came out victorious both times. The Riders took 37-18 and 33-27 wins in Weeks 4 and 7. BC came out on top 27-21 in Week 21, but it\u2019s important to note the Riders used starters sparingly with top spot in the division all wrapped up.<\/p>\n

The Lions are rolling, though. Including their walk-off 33-30 win over Calgary in last weekend\u2019s Western Semi-Final, BC has won seven straight and are the league\u2019s hottest team entering Saturday afternoon.<\/p>\n

With all that said, here are three x-factors to watch in this season\u2019s final game before the 112th Grey Cup.<\/p>\n

CAN THE RIDERS GET TO NATHAN ROURKE?<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n

Despite leaving BC Place with the win last weekend, there\u2019s no doubt Rourke was on the run far more than the Lions are comfortable with. Going up against an elite Stampeders defensive front, we saw BC struggle at times with interior pressure from Jaylon Hutchings and Miles Brown. The result was Rourke being sacked three times and pressured more times than that.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t forget, the Lions boasted one of the league\u2019s top offensive lines during the regular season and allowed a league-best 20 sacks. And now BC has to deal with another top-flight defensive line in the Roughriders.<\/p>\n

Saskatchewan finished the regular season with 43 sacks, which was two shy the league lead. And they\u2019re stacked with nothing but playmakers up front. All three of Caleb Sanders<\/a>, Mike Rose<\/a>, and Micah Johnson<\/a> finished amongst Pro Football Focus\u2019s top-10 defensive tackles. Meanwhile, Malik Carney<\/a> was PFF\u2019s second-ranked defensive end.<\/p>\n

Two-time All-CFL right tackle Dejon Allen<\/a>\u2019s status will be something to watch after missing last weekend with an arm injury. That said, Chris Schleuger<\/a> started double-digit games during the regular season and provides a solid option if Allen is unable to go for a second straight game.<\/p>\n

JAMES BUTLER\u2019S PRESENCE<\/p>\n

BIG TIME BUTLER!<\/p>\n

The visitors cut into Saskatchewan\u2019s lead late in the fourth.<\/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\/AyFZvhIUD6<\/a><\/p>\n

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

Back in BC after a few seasons away, Butler was one of the league\u2019s best tailbacks from start to finish. Butler finished third overall with 1,213 rushing yards and tied for the league lead with 11 rushing touchdowns. But he just happens to be going up against the CFL\u2019s best run defence.<\/p>\n

The Riders allowed just 76.0 rushing yards per game during the regular season, which has been one of their hallmarks since Corey Mace took over as head coach and general manager ahead of last season. Butler will have his work cut out for him, as will BC\u2019s offensive line led by left tackle Jarell Broxton<\/a>.<\/p>\n

That said, Butler had one of his best games this season against Saskatchewan when he racked up 123 rushing yards and a touchdown in Week 4. It\u2019s something to consider, especially knowing a solid Lions run game this weekend could help Rourke keep Saskatchewan off balance defensively.<\/p>\n

THE KICKING BATTLE
\n\"\"<\/p>\n

K Sean Whyte made the game game-winning, walk-off field goal for the Lions in the Western Semi-Final (Ethan Cairns\/CFL.ca)<\/p>\n

This looks lopsided on paper. Coming off the second most accurate kicking season in league history, BC\u2019s Sean Whyte<\/a> is going to have the edge on whoever is on the other side right now. Whyte nailed 95.1 per cent of his field goal tries during the regular season before going a perfect four-for-four, including the walk-off game winner, against the Stamps last weekend.<\/p>\n

And then there\u2019s the other end of the spectrum. Saskatchewan\u2019s Brett Lauther<\/a> had a frustrating campaign, making 39 of 54 field goal tries for a 72.2 per cent conversion rate. It\u2019s the lowest clip of Lauther\u2019s career, but the veteran looked to be turning things around down the stretch. Lauther hit eight of his last nine field goal attempts before missing Week 21 with a back injury. A solid performance from Lauther come Saturday could help neutralize one of BC\u2019s biggest trump cards.<\/p>\n