ROUGHRIDERS ARE FINALLY FACTOR IN A FIRST-PLACE RACE

Grey Cups a rarity for Green and White but win in Calgary could be an omen

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are the CFL’S traditional pacesetters — except in the standings.

In terms of sheer popularity, as reflected by merchandising revenues and TV ratings, the Green and White customarily leads the loop. But the on-field performance is generally a step or three behind.

Consider the fact that the Roughriders — the league’s flagship franchise — have won only four Grey Cups since the Regina Rugby Club’s inception in 1910.

Saskatchewan has not been the CFL’S dominant team, regular season-wise, in any of the four championship seasons.

The 1966 edition placed first in the Western Conference, albeit with an unremarkable 9-6-1 record, before upsetting the 11-30 Ottawa Rough Riders in the Grey Cup game.

In 1989, the Roughriders (9-9-0) were third in the West Division. Saskatchewan placed second in 2007 (12-6-0) and 2013 (11-7-0) before rolling through the playoffs and ultimately hoisting Earl Grey’s grail.

This season could prove to be an aberration — one that incites a celebration throughout Rider Nation.

Entering Friday night’s game against the host Calgary Stampeders, the Roughriders (10-4-0) are alone in first place in the West.

Calgary (9-5-0) is second. A victory at Mcmahon Stadium would create the likelihood of Saskatchewan finishing atop the division for only the second time in a span of 43 seasons.

After Ron Lancaster quarterbacked the Green and White to first place and a Grey Cup berth in 1976, Saskatchewan would not return to the penthouse for 33 years.

On Nov. 7, 2009, Darian Durant threw for 296 yards and three touchdowns to give Saskatchewan a pennant-clinching, 30-14 victory over Calgary at Taylor Field.

Even then, the Roughriders — a 10-7-1 team — were not a powerhouse.

Fast forward to 2019. The Roughriders are 10-4-0 for the first time since 1976.

A victory on Friday would give Saskatchewan its best record at the 15-game mark since the 1970 edition sported a 13-2 slate.

The Roughriders’ current 9-1-0 run is already the team’s best, over a 10-game stretch, since 1970.

Should the Roughriders win at Mcmahon Stadium, as they have done in each of the past two Octobers, the Grey Cup chatter will begin in earnest.

Of course, any discussion will have to include the East Division-leading Hamilton Tigercats who, at 12-3-0, are the best bet to finish first overall in the nine-team loop.

But history has shown that, come playoff time, the Roughriders are often at their best when someone else boasts a superior record.

So maybe, just maybe, this is all working out perfectly for the Green and White.

TROY FLEECE/FILES Quarterback Darian Durant celebrated on Nov. 7, 2009, when the Roughriders defeated the visiting Calgary Stampeders to clinch first place in the CFL’S West Division. Ten years later, the Riders have another opportunity to finish ahead of Calgary and claim top spot.