FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

1 THE LULAY EFFECT

The Lions seem to be a much more effective team when QB Travis Lulay is at the helm. He hasn’t always been available due to a career chock full of injuries. But even when he’s been available, he hasn’t always been the starter, leading us to wonder aloud why Wally Buono doesn’t use the veteran more often. Regardless, the Lions have used him the past two starts, and Lulay has responded with 651 yards and three TDs.

2 LEMON-AID

The cavalry’s come to B.C.? Well

… he is just one guy, but DE Shawn

Lemon has forever been dangerous as a quarterback hunter in his CFL career. In his eighth season, he has 51 sacks, and the trade bringing him to the Lions from the Argonauts is timely given the loss of former Most Outstanding Player LB Solomon Elimimian (wrist).

3 JUMPIN’ JEREMIAH

It’s a big deal for the Lions to have RB Jeremiah Johnson back in the fold. He is, after all, one of the league’s best. But the Stamps defence isn’t going to be intimidatedn. The league’s No. 2 unit against the rush (75.3 yards average per game) has already slowed down the CFL’s No. 2 rusher in William Powell of the Ottawa Redblacks.

4 ROGERS OVER AND OUT

A wonky knee that was scoped Wednesday keeps Stamps WR Eric Rogers out of the lineup against the Lions. That’s a blow of significance to most receiving corps. But the depth the Red & White have at that position — coupled with the effectiveness of QB Bo Levi Mitchell and the way he likes to distribute the ball to many targets — makes Rogers’ absence less impactful.

5 GROUNDED GROUND GAME?

Perhaps the Stampeders won’t be running the ball with their usual verve.

After all, there are plenty of questions surrounding health of the backfield personnel for this one. Will RB Terry Williams (shoulder) be effective? Will rookie RB Romar Morris be featured in the attack? How about RB Ante Milonovic-Litre with his career-total nine carries?