Easier sked awaits Riders
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ schedule is filled with flotsam.
Their next four opponents currently have a combined five victories — equalling the number of wins Saskatchewan has celebrated over its first six games of the 2013 CFL season.
So, honestly, why shouldn’t the Roughriders boast a 9-1 record a month from now?
The procession of tomato cans begins on Saturday, when the Montreal Alouettes (2-4) provide the opposition on Taylor Field.
One week later, the Roughriders will be in Edmonton to play the Eskimos (1-5). Then comes a home-and-home set with another team that is 1-5 at the moment — the chaos-ridden Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Winnipeg has just cashiered its general manager, Joe Mack.
Montreal’s GM, Jim Popp, recently assumed the headcoaching reins after firing Dan Hawkins. The Alouettes then lost 38-13 to the host Toronto Argonauts on Thursday. Talk about a Popp-gun offence!
Oh, and let’s not forget the Eskimos, who dismissed GM Eric Tillman last November, only to regress.
At least it can be said in one respect that the Riders’ upcoming opponents are firing on all cylinders.
The scheduling becomes especially fortuitous for the Roughriders when you consider that the Calgary Stampeders play in Vancouver against the B.C. Lions on Saturday.
Saskatchewan, at 5-1, is tied for Calgary for first place in the West Division. B.C. (4-2) is next in line. Given that there are three strong teams in the West, the Roughriders stand to benefit from a loss by Calgary or B.C. — especially if they can dispose of Montreal this coming weekend.
Forget about “on any given Sunday ...’’ The Riders’ next game is on a Saturday. And there isn’t any reason for them to lose.
Of course, the same applies during the next month. The Riders must seize the delicious opportunity that is afforded by a sweetheart schedule, being that the games will become considerably tougher in the fall.
The degree of difficulty increases Sept. 14, when the defending Grey Cup-champion Argonauts invade Mosaic Stadium.
That is a precursor to a sixweek stretch that includes four games against Calgary or B.C. With those games in mind, it would behoove the Riders to establish a cushion, if at all possible, in the month ahead.
Yes, this is the unpredictable CFL, so there is a danger in regarding any game as a sure thing.
But there is a very high probability that the West’s other elite teams will roll over inferior foes. If you don’t beat them, somebody else will. Therefore, the Roughriders need to maintain their ground by disposing of the lesser lights.
Saskatchewan’s schedule is favourable for the moment, but other teams will enjoy easier stretches.
Beginning on Aug. 22, for example, the Lions have a run of six games in which they face five teams that now have sub-. 500 records.
There are two games against Montreal and Hamilton (2-4) and one meeting with Winnipeg, to go with a Sept. 22 game in Regina.
Moreover, Calgary’s slate of remaining games includes three against Edmonton, two versus Hamilton and one with Winnipeg. As a counterbalance, there are also three games against B.C.
With the marquee matchups in mind, the stretch run promises to be entertaining. The most immediate games seem obligatory by comparison. Therefore, the Roughriders’ toughest opponent over the next month might be human nature.
How do you avoid taking these games lightly? How do you stay away from bad habits or continue to refine your game when the calibre of the opponent dictates that mistakes are survivable?
Consider, for example, Saskatchewan’s July 27 game in Hamilton
In the third quarter, Roughriders wideout Taj Smith was open by several steps on a deep route. However, quarterback Drew Willy — replacing a hobbled Darian Durant — underthrew the pass and six points were sacrificed.
The Roughriders won 32-20, regardless, and little was said about the non-touchdown pass in the aftermath of a fifth successive victory.
But try leaving some plays on the field against formidable adversaries such as Calgary or B.C. If you lose your edge for a millisecond, the upper-echelon teams can make you pay. Dearly.
Until the Roughriders oppose one of those teams, they can always cash in on the advantageous schedule over the next month.
They will never, ever acknowledge that weaker opponents are in their immediate future. Rest assured that head coach Corey Chamblin and his players will continue to espouse the one-game-ata-time mantra — this year’s catchphrase being “we want to go 1-and-0 this week.’’
That is the prudent course of action. A football team should never get caught looking ahead. Fortunately, the organisms of the media are not bound to adhere to a mindset that is eminently sensible, highly practical, and not even remotely dismissive.
So, how does 9-and-1 sound?