CFL picks: Wardrobe choice has Roughriders’ Jones green with victories
Green has suddenly become the colour of success for Chris Jones.
Traditionally, the Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach/ GM has donned black apparel on the sidelines. But the Riders have reeled off three straight wins since Jones began wearing the club’s green ‘Diversity is Strength’ T-shirt.
So it’s no surprise Jones will again be clad in green Saturday (4 p.m., TSN) when the Riders (6-4) visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-6) in the annual Banjo Bowl, the completion of their home-and-home Labour Day series.
Saskatchewan has been resourceful over its win streak, getting points from its offence, defence and special teams. Defensive back Nick Marshall has four rushing touchdowns in the three games, and starting quarterback Zach Collaros has completed almost 65 per cent of his passes (62-of-96 for 735 yards).
Winnipeg’s Andrew Harris, who ran for a game-high 158 yards in Sunday’s 31-23 loss to the Riders, didn’t practise Wednesday. Harris leads the CFL in rushing with 963 yards.
Saskatchewan’s defence held Winnipeg starter Matt Nichols to 14-of-26 passing for 166 yards, and intercepted him twice. Nichols has come under fire in Winnipeg, which is 4-4 since his return from a knee injury. Nichols, though, is 3-0 in the Banjo Bowl. Pick: Winnipeg. á Ottawa at B.C. Lions, Friday, 10 p.m.: Ottawa (6-4) looks to rebound from its 21-11 home loss to Montreal on Friday night. After three straight 300-yard games, quarterback Trevor Harris threw for 270 yards and had two picks. B.C. (3-6) is coming off the bye but will be without receiver Manny Arceneaux (knee). There’s also talk running back/returner Chris Rainey, the CFL’s all-purpose yardage leader (1,525), could be benched. Pick: Ottawa. á Hamilton at Toronto, Saturday, 1
p.m.: Jeremiah Masoli and the Ticats (5-5) look to make it two straight against the Argos (3-7) following a 42-28 home win Monday night. Masoli threw for 385 yards and three TDs as Hamilton improved to 5-0 at Tim Hortons Field on Labour Day. The Double Blue desperately need the win to have any shot at the playoffs. Pick: Hamilton. á Calgary at Edmonton, Saturday, 7
p.m.: The Stampeders (9-1) look for a home-and-home sweep. Calgary ran its Labour Day win streak to seven straight when Rene Paredes connected from 43 yards out with no time remaining for a 23-20 decision Monday at McMahon Stadium. The Stampeders improved to 6-0 at home despite losing receiver Kamar Jorden (leg). The Eskimos (6-5) have lost two straight. Pick: Edmonton. Last week: 3-1 Overall: 29-17.