There were significant events that took place during the off-season. Even fans that have taken their predictions to the Betway App were taken by surprise. And the gears have switched quickly as many punters started placing their bets on the platform for the Roughriders, and odds have boosted to the sky. Because the Betway App also provides live streaming and of course betting features, everyone was even more eager to place bets and make predictions about the team and the players.
Even though the team had it rough for some time they managed to climb back to the top and have an amazing off-season. We decided to take a look at their top games, and also give some proof why the Saskatchewan Roughriders are one of the best team on the CFL.
Roughriders vs. Bombers
The rivalry between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers is not only the highest-rated in the CFL, but also the highest-rated non-hockey rivalry. It is considered the most iconic in Canadian football, particularly in the west where the prairies are seen as the heartland of the CFL. Both fan bases are known for their passion and loudness, and tend to have the highest attendance on game day.
The Labour Day Classic, played in Regina, and the Banjo Bowl, a rematch played in Winnipeg the following week, are two of the CFL’s marquee matchups. These are considered the most important games on the calendar, as fans in green and white love nothing more than beating the blue and gold, and vice versa.
There are also some key facts that make the Roughriders one of the best teams on the CFL, and we have listed them all down below. From Defence to Quarteckback Depth, the Roughriders have amazing strategy and also amazing players on the team.
Is Time to protect
Protecting the quarterback was a major issue for the Riders in 2022, with fans often watching anxiously as their QBs were sacked a staggering 77 times. To move past last year’s struggles, the team needs to improve its offensive line play.
To that end, General Manager Jeremy O’Day has been active in the off-season. He signed versatile offensive lineman Philip Blake and former BC Lions center Peter Godber on the first day of free agency, and has also brought in some sizable American talent.
The team now has five players over six-foot-four and weighing between 300-340 pounds, all of whom have experience playing the tackle position, to evaluate in camp. Along with the development of younger returning linemen like 2021 draft pick Logan Bandy, the Riders are hoping to have a stronger performance in the trenches this year.
Pressure
With Fajardo now in Montreal and considering the team’s struggles in the past season, the pressure has now shifted to two different individuals. Like Fajardo, O’Day and Dickenson are in the last year of their respective contracts and are tasked with turning the team’s fortunes around this season. In both 2019 and 2021, the Riders were one win away from competing in the Grey Cup. This year, both men will face the challenge of guiding the team back to that level in the fiercely competitive West Division.
A new Quarterback
When the Riders benched Cody Fajardo, it signaled his departure from Saskatchewan even before they were officially eliminated from playoff contention. As soon as free agency began on February 14th, Fajardo signed with Montreal and Trevor Harris joined the Riders from the Alouettes.
With Harris now at the helm, offensive line protection will be crucial, as he is more of a pocket passer than Fajardo, although he has nearly reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark. The ten-year veteran threw for 4,157 yards last season in Montreal, leading them through a rough start (2-6) and finishing with a 9-9 record that ended in the Eastern Final.
Harris has a history of generating significant yardage and scoring for his teams, but he needs time to make plays. If the Riders can provide that protection, their offense, and overall success could rebound this season.
Such outcomes lead to an inevitable need for change, and Saskatchewan is experiencing plenty of it this season. While expectation may give way to hope this year, the CFL remains a league where teams can swiftly turn things around and return to the competitive fray. Here are five factors that will determine whether the Riders can achieve that this year.
