Riders-Bombers Labour Day Classic clash Sunday shows old rivals in different spots

When the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers meet Sunday in Regina (4 p.m. Eastern, TSN/ESPN3), they'll be continuing a tradition of facing off on Labour Day Weekend that stretches back to 1949, one that has happened every year since 1982. It's hardly an equal rivalry, though, as the Riders lead the Labour Day Classic series 30-17; part of that's thanks to them usually hosting (the Bombers traditionally get to host the Banjo Bowl rematch the following week), but they've also been a much better team recently, winning the last eight Labour Day Classics (including last season's 52-0 thumping). That divide might be even more stark than usual this season, as Saskatchewan enters the game 7-1 while Winnipeg is 1-7. Do the Bombers have a hope of pulling the upset here, or will the Riders roll to victory?

The divide between Saskatchewan and Winnipeg this year is more than about just their respective win-loss records. The Riders' dominance has been impressive from a statistical point of view as well. Through nine weeks of play, they led the league in plenty of offensive categories, including points per game (33.0), net offensive yards per game (416.1), gain per rush (5.6 yards), gain per pass (9.6 yards, tied with Toronto) and passes intercepted (zero). They've developed an offence that can click well on the ground with Kory Sheets (on pace to break Mike Pringle's single-season rushing record), but one that also excels through the air thanks to the spectacular efficiency Darian Durant has demonstrated. The Saskatchewan defence has also been solid, leading the league in points allowed per game (22.1) and touchdowns allowed (17). Meanwhile, Winnipeg's last in many important offensive and defensive categories, including points against per game (30.9) and points for per game (20.9). When you're scoring at the league's worst clip and allowing more points than anyone else, you're in trouble.

The Roughriders have also been able to establish a consistent identity this year, and that's something the Bombers have particularly lacked. Saskatchewan's run more than anyone else, but has run very effectively, and they've taken advantage of passing opportunities when the defence stacks the box against the run. They've developed clear ideas of what they want to do on offence and defence. Meanwhile, the Winnipeg plan seems to change from week to week, whether that's with the firings of GM Joe Mack and CEO Garth Buchko, the three different quarterbacks they've anointed as starters this year, the move to bring Marcel Bellefeuille in first as a consultant and then as the offensive coordinator or any of their other lurchings from plan to plan. Of course, hope springs eternal in the CFL, and anything can happen on any given Sunday (or Friday, or Saturday...). The Bombers might just have a chance in this if Justin Goltz (their starter largely by default thanks to injuries, but perhaps their most promising quarterback) can turn in a good showing, the defence can step up and the Riders make some mistakes. Based on the all-time record, Saskatchewan's success this year and the recent futility of Winnipeg, though, this Classic may be anything but—unless you're wearing Rider green.