Riders-Bombers match might finally earn ‘Classic’ moniker

There’s plenty of evidence Labour Day game in Saskatchewan could be compelling

The “Labour Day Classic” label has often been an example of hyperbole — much like “WWE superstar Barry Horowitz.”

Five of the last nine (ahem) Classics between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the visiting Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been decided by a margin of at least 15 points. Over that span, the average point differential has been 15.9.

Only twice over those nine games have the Roughriders and Blue Bombers both entered the CFL contest at or above .500. Sunday’s game fits that description.

With that in mind, the looming clash at Mosaic Stadium could very well be a departure from the norm — a bona fide Classic featuring two surging teams.

Oh, sure, there is still a notable disparity between the records. Winnipeg sports a 7-2 record, whereas Saskatchewan is 4-4 . But that is a Clash of Titans compared to 2011 and 2013, games that were both 7-1 versus 1-7.

Keep in mind, the last two meetings of non-losing teams have been memorable.

On Sept. 2, 2007, Kerry Joseph scored on a 27-yard quarterback draw with six seconds remaining in the fourth quarter to give Saskatchewan a 31-26 victory in what turned out to be a Grey Cup preview. Saskatchewan entered the 2007 Classic at 6-2, while Winnipeg was 5-2-1.

Saskatchewan was 6-2 and Winnipeg was 6-3 heading into an Aug. 31, 2014 showdown, which was decided when Anthony Allen scored on a 15-yard run with 28 seconds remaining. The Roughriders won 35-30.

Aside from those two games, the Labour Day Classic description has rarely been justified over the past decade.

Saskatchewan carried an 0-9 record into the 2015 showdown with Winnipeg and was 1-8 at this juncture a year ago.

Much of the intrigue in 2016 surrounded the return of popular pass-catcher Weston Dressler — whom the Roughriders released the previous January — to Regina.

Dressler and the Bombers won 28-25, with Justin Medlock kicking a game-winning 42-yard field goal on the final play. It was an entertaining game, yes, but a loss was more of the same for the Green and White.

This year, there is every reason to be interested in the Classic. The Roughriders (4-4) are coming off back-to-back blowout victories over West Division foes. The Blue Bombers (7-2) are one of the league’s elite teams.

Both teams’ fan bases should salivate at the thought of Sunday’s game. Winnipeg tends to play down-to-the-wire football. and Saskatchewan finally has a legitimate chance to make the playoffs after two successive sorry seasons.

Plus, there is a new stadium — with cup-holders!

Plus, statues honouring (cue press release) “two Saskatchewan Roughrider legends who were iconic members of our team, our league, and our community” are to be unveiled Saturday at 2 p.m., near Confederation Park. The description would seem to fit George Reed and Ron Lancaster.

Plus, Dressler is back — again — after missing the Blue Bombers’ past four games with the dreaded undisclosed injury.

Dressler had six catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns, one of which was a ridiculously easy 79-yarder, on July 1 in the first regular-season game at Regina’s $278-million pigskin palace.

Saskatchewan trailed 37-23 in the fourth quarter before Kevin Glenn threw back-to-back touchdown passes to help the Roughriders force overtime. Winnipeg ended up winning 43-40 in double OT, handing Saskatchewan the only homefield defeat it has had to digest this season.

That Canada Day clash was a legitimate classic.

Now, let’s see if the uppercase “C” is truly applicable. rvanstone@postmedia.com twitter.com/robvanstone