The Saskatchewan Roughriders are back from their final bye week and begin an important stretch of games to end the 2026 CFL season.<\/p>\n
The Riders could still finish anywhere from first to fifth in the standings, meaning the next five games will be crucial for the Green and White.<\/p>\n
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\u201cI anticipate us playing our best football. You can hold me to that. I really do believe we will play our best football,\u201d quarterback Trevor Harris<\/a> said. \u201cI believe in this group. I think we are positioned right where we need to be for these last five games.\u201d<\/p>\n The final stretch of games starts on Friday as the 8-5 Riders take on the 7-6 B.C. Lions in the third game of their season series. With the Riders winning the first meeting and B.C. claiming the rematch<\/a> between the two clubs, this game will decide who will own the tiebreaker.<\/p>\n Saskatchewan can clinch a playoff spot with a win paired with losses by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers<\/a> and Calgary Stampeders. But a loss would open the door for the Riders to tumble down the standings to fourth, with an important game against Calgary up next.<\/p>\n \u201cRegardless of the situation, you can only control what you can. It is what it is, whether it is finishing first in the situation in the west or finishing anywhere to make the playoffs, whatever it is for each individual team. If you look too far ahead, you\u2019re not getting there,\u201d Riders head coach Corey Mace<\/a> said.<\/p>\n \u201cI think everyone understands the totality of the situation. We have a good string of games here to finish up the season. If we overlook this one, it wouldn\u2019t be very wise.\u201d<\/p>\n The Riders\u2019 offence gets two big pieces back<\/a> for Friday\u2019s game, as slotback Kian Schaffer-Baker<\/a> and running back A.J. Ouellette<\/a> make their returns to the lineup. Both had suffered knee injuries, and Ouellette was out for seven games while Schaffer-Baker missed six.<\/p>\n \u201cThere\u2019s multiple reasons why you sign guys, and there are multiple reasons why guys are stars in this league. They bring a personality and edge to them,\u201d Harris said.<\/p>\n \u201c(Schaffer-Baker) brings a fun-loving personality quite a bit. He brings some tenacity and some juice and some dog to him, and so does A.J. A.J. brings an attitude as well. The guys have stepped in well for these guys and gained a lot of experience and will be great players in this league, but it\u2019s a welcome sight to have them back.\u201d<\/p>\n Saskatchewan has started a total of 10 different receivers this season. Only KeeSean Johnson<\/a> has started all 13 games for Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n On defence, the Riders will look to stop Nathan Rourke and the surging Lions offence. Last season\u2019s most outstanding CFL player has thrown for more than 300 yards in six straight games.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s a great player, and they have great players too out there in B.C. It will be a good challenge, and I think we\u2019re ready for it,\u201d Riders safety Nelson Lokombo said.<\/p>\n The Riders are making some changes on defence, as Antoine Brooks Jr.<\/a> comes back into the lineup. Seyi Oladipo has gone onto the six-game injured list with an ankle injury.<\/p>\n