Will home be the charm again for the Redblacks? Or will the Roughriders run them over?

The Ottawa Redblacks have been rather competitive for an expansion team so far, but they still only have one win, and that was an 18-17 thriller in their home opener against Toronto. They've lost the three road games they've played. The team gets to play the second home game in their history against the Saskatchewan Roughriders Saturday (7 p.m. Eastern, TSN/ESPN3), and that should give them a boost; the rivalry over the Roughriders not allowing Ottawa to return as the Rough Riders may provide some extra motivation, too. However, the Redblacks will need all the help they can get, as they're facing a formidable Saskatchewan team, and one whose strengths align with Ottawa's weaknesses.

The most challenging issue for the Redblacks may be stopping the Roughriders' rushing attack. Heading into this week, Saskatchewan led the CFL with 135.0 rushing yards per game and 6.4 yards per rush. Meanwhile, Ottawa was last in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (121.0) and gain per rush (6.1), a big part of why they'd conceded a CFL-high 408.7 yards of offence per game. (Of course, they've also struggled against the pass, giving up 9.2 yards per pass (second-lowest in the CFL) and 305.5 passing yards per game, so the rushing issues haven't been their only problem. They've been a big part of it, though.) The Redblacks' problems with the run have been particularly notable lately, too, as they conceded 197 rushing yards last week against Hamilton; meanwhile, Saskatchewan picked up 151 rushing yards (113 from RB Will Ford) and four rushing touchdowns last week against Ottawa. This one could be decided by if the Redblacks can contain the Riders on the ground.

What Ottawa can do on offence may also be important, though. Their offence got off to a slow start this season, but it's been more impressive lately. Against Hamilton, quarterback Henry Burris started to look like the dominant player he was the last couple of seasons with the Tiger-Cats, throwing for 290 yards and two touchdowns with a 61.4 per cent completion rate and one interception. He still isn't quite at that level, but he's demonstrating greater chemistry with his receivers and linemen and starting to look like he can still be a top QB in this league. The ground game wasn't quite there against the Tiger-Cats, with running back Chevon Walker only collecting 37 rushing yards on eight carries (and Burris adding 32 on nine), but it's shown potential at times this season too. That may be important; Saskatchewan's given up 6.0 yards per rush so far this year, second-worst in the CFL. The Roughriders are also only mediocre against the pass, conceding a league-high 65.5 per cent completion percentage and 259.3 yards per pass (third-worst in the league). Ottawa's offence hasn't been great on the season, putting up just 305.5 yards of offence per game (third-worst in the CFL), but if they can get into gear, they may have a chance here. We'll see if playing at home proves beneficial again for the Redblacks.