The Stampeders are ready for the Riders!
By Olivia Lawrence
RP Show Intern
The regular season of the Canadian Football League (CFL) is over, and the beginning of the playoffs are set for this weekend. One of the two match-ups is a semi-final between the Calgary Stampeders and the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
For CFL fans who have found the regular season to be underwhelming, the playoffs are looking to be very entertaining.
“What has me excited is I have absolutely no idea how this is going to play out, I think these are two really, really evenly matched teams,” said Calgary Stampeders Reporter Danny Austin from the Calgary Sun & Harold on Tuesday’s episode of The Rod Pedersen Show.
The Stampeders and Riders faced each other three times in the regular season through the month of October. The Stampeders went 2-1 against the Green and White, but only by three points in each game. The Riders won the third game by a close three points as well (20-17).
“Anyone who says they know what’s going to happen in this game is full of it,” said Austin. “I think it’s whichever one comes in hot, whichever one executes.”
The Riders get home field advantage, but there is no fear amongst the Stampeders going into Mosaic Stadium. Instead of crumbling under Rider fan energy, the Stampeders have found a way to relish in it.
“The Stampeders team has had a ton of success, [quarterback] Bo-Levi Mitchell has had a ton of success in Saskatchewan, and that’s not a knock on the Riders,” said Austin. “The Stampeders have been better on the road this year, but this is a game that they get up for. They know what the rivalry means and they love the rivalry.”
The Stampeders have not had a picture perfect year by any means however. At the beginning of the season, the team was only sitting at 2-5, but they were able to improve and find a playoff spot.
“What they needed was incremental improvements from the offense to start winning games and that’s what happened,” said Austin. But it started with the defense, and the defense remains the strength of this team. You’ll beat them once on deep balls, but you won’t beat them twice, and that’s what I like to see from a defense.”
Kick-off for the Stampeders and Riders semi-final is Sunday (Nov.28) at the 3:30pm CST.
Who do you think is going to win this semi-final game in the West?
Danny Austin;
I know what’s going to happen in this game because Im full of it and I can say for certain the Calgary Stampeders will definitely win their CFL semifinal game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Regina. Mark that down in your Calgary Sun book.