It's one of the greatest rivalries in Canadian sport.
A trip to the Grey Cup is on the line and Manitoba's capital will play host. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (11-7) will battle the Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-8-1) on Saturday afternoon in the West Final
These two storied franchises played each other three times in the regular season with Winnipeg coming out on top in Weeks 13 and 14, and Saskatchewan won their Week 7 matchup. Winnipeg is hosting its fourth straight Western Final and is playing in the game for the sixth straight season. Saskatchewan last played in the West Final in 2021, falling to Winnipeg 21-17.
Winnipeg scored 447 points in the regular season while allowing a league-low 366. Saskatchewan, meanwhile, scored 478 and gave up 434. The Riders beat the Lions 28-19 last week while Winnipeg's last game was a thrilling comeback victory against Montreal on October 26.
Brady Oliveira led the CFL in rushing yards with 1,353 with three touchdowns. His longest run was 30 yards and had 476 receiving yards.
"They're playing very well right now and I think you can say the same thing about our team," said Oliveira. "This is why both of us are in this game, we have both earned the right to play in the West Final. We're going to go out there and fight it out and see who advances to the Grey Cup."
Game Notes:
- Winnipeg is 43-19-2 (.688) at home in the playoffs. Saskatchewan is 21-35-1 (.377) as the visiting team in the playoffs;
- Since 1972, the Western Final host is 30-20 (.600);
- Winnipeg has hosted Saskatchewan in a single-game Western Final twice with each team winning once; and
- Trevor Harris is 4-4 in playoff starts while Zach Collaros is 6-1 including 5-0 with Winnipeg.
Oliveira, who was nominated for the league's Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian, is looking forward to pounding the ball on the ground.
"Watching tape this week, there are holes in that defence that I believe we can attack," ended Oliveira. "Whether that's me running the ball or catching the ball in the backfield. I know it's important to get me involved in this game because I believe good things will come from that."
Saturday's game at Princess Auto Stadium is sold out but you can watch the game on TSN. Game time on Saturday is 5:30, following the East Final between Toronto (10-8) and Montreal (12-5-1)
