Photo: 0-9 Roughriders continue tradition of trolling billboards in Winnipeg

The Saskatchewan Roughriders haven't won a single game this year, but that hasn't stopped the team from talking trash ahead of Sunday's Labour Day Classic against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. As they've done many times before, the team went out and bought a billboard in enemy territory, setting up a billboard in Winnipeg to promote the Sept. 12 Banjo Bowl there against the Bombers with "Wait a second...who, exactly, is the home team?". Saskatchewan's trolled plenty of teams this way in the past, but it's a little surprising to see this continued when the team's 0-9 and just fired its head coach and general manager. Is it a move that will pay off for them?

The Roughriders' habit of riling opposing teams and fanbases up has had mixed results in the past. Their billboard in B.C. last August led to Lions' president Dennis Skulsky declaring the game "Guaranteed Victory Night," and when the Roughriders won, the Lions had to give out plenty of free tickets. Their trolling of fans in Edmonton last September was less successful; while it led to the Eskimos overreacting in response, unleashing a radio ad that called Rider fans "horrible human beings," and gave Edmonton more backlash, the Eskimos won that game 24-0. Similarly, their billboard in Ottawa this year sparked a Redblacks' response:

And Saskatchewan lost that game 35-13, dropping to 0-9 and perhaps hitting their lowest point this year. So, the billboard strategy doesn't always work. It is worth noting that history's on the Riders' side this time, though, as they've won their last 10 Labour Day Classics against Winnipeg. The Bombers are also starting Brian Brohm, which doesn't bode well for them. Still, trash talk like this from a winless team is something else. We'll see if it proves to be the wrong move or not.