FRIDAY SHOW RECAP: FOOTBALL FRIDAY!

Friday was Episode #97 of The Rod Pedersen Show! Here are the highlights:

• Rod and Dupes opened with The Warmup, reading the morning’s sports headlines which included the Flames’ 5-1 win over Detroit, Houston’s lead in the ALCS, and the Raptors preseason. They then got Football Friday rolling with a discussion of Week 19 in the CFL and the Friday Night Football doubleheader on TSN with Toronto at Montreal followed by Saskatchewan at BC.
• Rod’s Rant for Bronco Plumbing & Heating centred on the CFL electing NOT to fine Bo Levi Mitchell and Ed Gainey for comments critical of officiating in Week 18. That, coupled with the lack of a suspension for Ottawa’s Jonathan Rose for abuse of an official in last year’s East Final, should lead to a walkout by CFL referees until appropriate discipline is handed down.
• The daily Capital Auto Mall/Universal Poll Collision Centre poll question was: Who should’ve been fined for comments critical of CFL officials: Bo Levi Mitchell, Ed Gainey, Both, or Neither? 44% said BLM, 40% said Both, 14% voted for Neither and 2% voted for Gainey.
• Hall of Fame Rider broadcaster John Lynch joined the bunker in Segment 2 for a discussion of tonight’s Riders/Lions game, and he predicts a double-digit Rider win. (He predicted the same for last week’s 30-28 Rider loss in Calgary). The boys discussed who the Riders should be wary of on the Lions roster, and Dupes said this is a “Trap Game”.
• RP Show NFL/CFL Insider Tori Gurley joined the show via video chat and said the team to watch the rest of the way is the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He also gave his thoughts on Riders/Lions. Tori then jumped into NFL talk and fielded questions from viewers about Week 7. He feels that until one team finds a way to beat New England, there’s no reason to expect the Patriots won’t win a 7th Super Bowl.
• CTV Regina’s Don Hewitt joined the bunker and feels Bo Levi should be fined, but Ed Gainey should not. He also feels the Stampeders are the CFL’s version of the Patriots, and they’re the class of the league. That drew the ire of several Rider fans watching on Facebook.
• Rider great Dave Ridgway joined the show from South Indiana to discuss a variety of things. He said the Riders retiring his #36 meant more than being inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. “Ridge” also said he’s shocked that the 1989 Grey Cup – and his infamous “The Kick” – is still talked about daily in Saskatchewan since the team has won two championships since. He figured his name would whither out 10-15 years after he left the CFL.
• BC Lions Den podcaster Brian Wawryshyn joined the show from Vancouver to preview Friday night’s game at BC Place. Rod asked how Mike Reilly could lead the league in passing since the Lions are 5-11 and given up 52 sacks? Brian feels that’s simply a testament to the toughness and talent of Reilly. He discussed the Lions season, Duron Carter’s play and much more. He feels the Lions won’t be pushovers in this one.
• In the overtime segment, Rod and Dupes talked about this weekend’s Canada West football games – including a must-win game for the Rams at Alberta – and the Thunder/Huskies PFC semifinal Sunday at Leibel Field.
• In honour of show #97 the guys recognized players who’ve worn number-97 in their career. The group includes Connor McDavid, John Chick, Eddie Steele, Doug Brown, Brooks Findlay, Jeremy Roenick and Nick Bosa.
• Join us at 10 am MT on Monday on Facebook Live and RodPedersen.com/ListenLive as we recap another busy sports weekend!