Riders ready for Argos’ possible roster changes

The Saskatchewan Roughriders know they will take on the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday, but who will be wearing the visiting team’s jerseys remains a mystery.

The Argos have had first place in the CFL’s East Division locked up since Sept. 15 and have been resting various starters in their games since then.

“You have to prepare for who you expect to play and you have to prepare for their starters – which I think we will see – and then you have to prepare for what they do schematically,” Riders head coach Craig Dickenson said. “They are a well-run team, (they’re) well-coached and they will be a big challenge.”

The Riders host the Argos at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. The Green Zone pre-game show is set to begin at noon.

Defensive end Anthony Lanier II said the Riders aren’t focusing on the opposing team’s roster.

“It’s about when we get out here on the game day and if we execute what we want to do and impose our will on what we expect to do,” Lanier II said.

The Riders are in a six-game slide and, while they once were on the precipice of clinching a playoff spot, now find themselves no longer in control of their post-season fate. The Riders need to finish the regular season with more points than the Calgary Stampeders, with the Green and White having only one game remaining while the Stamps have two.

If both teams lose this week — Calgary has a showdown Friday against the B.C. Lions – the Riders could have to wait and watch during their bye week to determine if they will play in the post-season. The Stampeders complete their regular-season slate Oct. 27 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“The main thing is focusing on this game and controlling what we can control,” said Riders defensive back Amari Henderson. “Just going out there and having extreme effort and playing fast, smart and physical football. That’s what we are focusing on — going 1-and-0 this week and going into the bye week, we will focus on that when the time comes.”

While the Argos come into the game with a CFL-best 14-2-0 record, Lanier II is excited to go up against the top team in the league.

“I want the best. I want the top dog. I want the person who they think is the baddest person they got on the field, I want them and I want them lined up in front of me,” Lanier II said. “Anytime they bring that type of challenge, it’s exciting and I’m ready to roll.

“Just go out there and go hard. Like we’ve said from the beginning of the year, if that dog don’t hunt, that dog don’t eat.”