Will this be the end of the Saskatchewan Roughriders?

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been flat out dominant this season. Not only did they win games, but they humiliated the other team.

The Blue Bombers host the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Western Finals on Sunday, with a spot in the Grey Cup on the line. The teams have only met twice this season, in the classic Labour Day Weekend and Banjo Bowl home and home series. Winnipeg won both games and outscored the Roughriders 56-17 between the two.

On Friday’s edition of The Rod Pedersen Show, Darrin Bauming, a Winnipeg Blue Bombers analyst and Bonfire Sports TV founder, stopped by the show to preview the game.

“There is a lot of external debate on rest versus rust,” said Bauming. The Bombers have not played since Nov.20, and even in that game, many starters didn’t see the field and were given time to heal.

Over the last six years, rest has become the clear answer. In the west, five of the last six teams coming off a bye have won, and in the east six of six have moved on to the Grey Cup.  

“I don’t expect any rust on this Blue Bombers team,” said Bauming. “I think they are going to come out on Sunday in complete control, and really exert their authority.”

Defense wins championships, and the Blue Bombers defense has been incredible all season long. Not to mention they will be facing a Roughriders offense that hasn’t found it’s groove all season long.

“This is the strength of the Blue Bombers,” said Bauming. “That defense is no question the best unit in any of the phases across the league.”

On the other side of the ball, Winnipeg time and time again have shown they are willing to stick with the run throughout the game. Most teams seem to abandon the run by the second quarter, whereas the Bombers keep pounding the ball, tiring out a defense, and grind the clock to zero.

Former Grey Cup MVP Andrew Harris returned to practice this week, but it is unclear if he will play this weekend.

“All eyes are on Andrew Harris who has missed nearly 50 days,” said Bauming.

“We know how good he is when he’s healthy, and the Blue Bombers are being extra cautious with him. He was limited yesterday during a closed practice, and today he is not a participant at practice. It is going to go down to the eleventh hour to see if Andrew Harris plays or not.”

It seems all signs are pointing to a Blue Bomber win, but this is the CFL, and anything can happen. Especially when the Riders have a player like Micah Johnson itching to get a sack this week.  

“I truly believe this Western Final will be won and lost in the trenches,” said Bauming. “It is a very good Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive front with great linebackers and great defensive lineman.”

This weekend may very well decide who the flagship franchise of the CFL is today. While the Roughriders have held the mantle for many, many years, if the Blue Bombers can take them out in back-to-back postseasons, there may be a passing of the torch.  

Who will come out on top this weekend? It sure seems like the Blue Bombers are in the driver’s seat, but ask any Roughrider fan, and this game is going to be a close one.

We can’t wait

Bring on the football…