History in the Making

For the first time in CFL history the Saskatchewan Roughriders will be playing the Montreal Alouettes in the Grey Cup. I have a great deal of respect for these two talented and disciplined teams.

Let's consider the stats. On offense, Als QB, Anthony Calvillo, has completed 72% of his passes, threw twenty-six touchdowns and only six picks. Darian Durant executed 60% of his throws accurately, passed for twenty-four touchdowns and a league-high twenty-one interceptions. Montreal is first in the league for average yards passing a game (294) and second in average yards rushing a game with 120. Saskatchewan is fifth and sixth respectively in those categories - 259.6 passing and 109.6 rushing yards a game.

Defensively, Montreal gave up an average of 245.2 passing yards/game (first in league) while the Riders relinquished an average of 249.5 yards for fourth in the league. Rush defense is a different story. The Riders allowed 123.4 yards (avg/game) making them second last in the league against the run. Meanwhile the Als limited their opponents to only 75.1 yards (avg/game) which is the best run defense in the CFL.

On paper these numbers look daunting to Roughrider fans. However I feel Saskatchewan has four key weapons in which they can pull out a win against Montreal:

First, we must exploit our run game. Wes Cates was the only running back not to rush for 1,000 yards this season. Cates has 400 less all purpose yards and half as many touchdowns than he did last year. Paul LaPolice must incorporate more running plays into the offense on Sunday.

Next, our solid defense must influence the game. By pressuring Calvillo, hindering Montreal's run game, and shutting down Watkins and Richardson (who account for half of Montreal's receiving touchdowns), the Riders will keep this game in reach.

Saskatchewan will need to pull out some tricks from the playbook. Dressler had been involved in several sneak plays. In the West Final Armstead received a hand-off from Durant and threw a 42 yard pass to Bagg in the third. Such plays will keep Montreal's defense on edge.

"The thing you need to do is get your mind right and get ready to come out here and play football." This was Durant's mentality heading into the West Final. After the game he added, "I’ve been telling [the media] all week that’s it’s another game — seriously. I wasn’t nervous. I just went out there and played football, because when it all dies down, you have to play football for three hours." The Riders have been calm and focused in the last few games. They must play with the same mind-set in Calgary.

I'm looking forward to an exciting game of Canadian football! My prediction: Saskatchewan Roughriders 32 Montreal Alouettes 30