FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

1 HOME FOR THE HOLIDAY

The key stat for this game: Four.

As in the margin of victory B.C. needs to keep the quest for a home playoff berth alive. Should the Leos win out, and have Winnipeg drop a game, they’d host these same Riders in the West semis on Nov. 11. They could also end up traveling to back to Mosaic on Remembrance Day.

2 IMMOVABLE OBJECTS?

The Riders have given up just 26 sacks in 17 games this season — the second-fewest in the CFL — while the Lions top the sack charts with 44 in 16 games. The battle in the trenches will be key, especially the Green Machine’s ability to hold off B.C.’s Sean Lemon (11 sacks) and Odell Willis (10).

3 GROUND AND POUND

This isn’t the same Lions team that only rushed 14 times against the Riders in their Aug. 25 meeting at B.C. Place, won 25-24 by Saskatchewan — the Leos’ lone home loss. Tyrell Sutton has brought a meaner, more punishing edge to the B.C. ground game, getting 106 yards against the Stamps defence, and nearly cracking the century mark last week against the Esks (97 yards).

4 BALL HAWKS

Zack Collaros better hope he gets some good protection from his line, because B.C.’s secondary will punish him for any inaccuracy. He’s thrown just nine touchdowns to 13 interceptions this season, the only quarterback in the league outside of Toronto who’s below water in that percentage. B.C. has picked off more passes (21) than any other team, despite playing one fewer game than most.

5 GREEN MEANS GO

Saskatchewan’s defence is all-round good, ranking second in yards allowed and third in points and third in turnovers forced. B.C. doesn’t turn the ball over much — nine fumbles, second-fewest; 15 interceptions, third-fewest — but if they can, it’s key to get points off of them. The Riders 126 points off turnovers is third-most in the league, eight of those coming off pick-sixes.