Wild west: Riders hold slim lead in CFL West Division

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are sitting at the top of what could be a very wild west division in the next few weeks.

The Riders, at 5-4-1, currently hold the top spot in the CFL West Division standings, despite going winless (0-3-1) in their last four games.

But only five points now separate the Riders and the Edmonton Elks (3-7), who are currently in last place in the division. The B.C. Lions (5-5), Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-6) and Calgary Stampeders (4-6) make up the crowded middle.

Calling the situation “crazy,” Corey Mace, the Roughriders’ head coach, noted that the team has eight games remaining in the season, with six of them against western opponents. Mace said he has no idea what to expect from here on out.

“It’s a tight race right now, and it’s even crazy to say that. We haven’t won a game in almost a month and we’re still in the hunt,” said Mace. “It’s going to be a bloodbath, so to speak, but we have played a lot of tight games versus a lot of opponents. Hopefully that plays in our favour going down the stretch.”

The Riders will look to get back into the win column this week after a loss last week to the Montreal Alouettes. The last time the Riders earned a point in the standings was during the team’s 22-22 tie against the Ottawa Redblacks on August 8. The team’s last win was a 19-9 decision against the Bombers on July 19.

Saskatchewan takes on the Toronto Argonauts on Thursday. Kickoff for the game is set for 5:30 p.m.

“We just have to be great where our feet are. The coach preaches it a lot, and it’s like beating a dead horse, but it’s facts. The recipe is so simple,” said slotback Ajou Ajou.

Ajou said hard work trumps hard feelings at Rider practices, and the players are pushing each other to play their very best.

“I might cuss you out because you were BSing on that rep, but it’s all love. I just want to see you win and do better,” he explained.

“The thing about this team is we don’t point fingers … Just relax. You’re not Superman. Everyone on this team is like, ‘That’s my bad.’ You have to be selfish about being selfless, and that’s the identity of this team.”

One of the biggest boosts to the team as they make a push into the final third of the season is the return of starting quarterback Trevor Harris. Harris missed six games due to a knee injury, and the team went 2-3-1 in his absence.

Harris returned in last week’s 27-24 loss to the Als but threw for 355 yards and two touchdowns. He was named the Pro Football Focus’ top-rated quarterback for the week.

First time in The 6ix in a minute—here's who's making the trip 🏙️

FULL POSITION CHART | https://t.co/6TtOroHCVI pic.twitter.com/HmUSu7877Y

— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) August 21, 2024

Harris said it’s great to play through the first 12 weeks, but said in his experience, the teams that really succeed are the ones that turn on the heat late in the season.

“Now’s that time to push the accelerator – not that we haven’t been pushing it before – but now it’s time to come into our own and put three phases together and really start hammering teams one week at a time,” Harris said.

Thursday will mark the return of slotback Kian Schaffer-Baker, who has missed the past four games with a shoulder injury. Trevor Tate, who just signed with the team earlier this week, will start at right tackle.

Running back AJ Ouellette (hip) and wide receiver Mitch Picton (ankle) were both added to the six-game injured list.