The Western Final is an iconic rivalry renewed and a chance to take home bragging rights over a prairie foe for yet another year and a trip to the 111th Grey Cup on the line.
A fairly accurate assessment I would say and would only quibble with two things.
I wouldn’t rank the Bombers O Line ahead of Sask. That one might more accurately be a draw.
I would rank the Bombers secondary over that of the Riders. They are superb. Ford, who is not even mentioned, pretty much cancels out Milligan, who got burned for a TD this past weekend by gambling for an interception. Nichols is better than both of them.
Numbers say Sask is better on Defensive backs. But I would say it is evenly match up. But if you consider WPG’s offense, it’s success depends on the longer pass yards. That is a drawback for WPG when they play against riders. If you see both labor-day and the match up games, this is the reason, WPG was progressing slowly on offense. Both teams are mature enough QBs, and they will not have intersections unless their game is going in wrong directions. The result will be depend on who wins the rushing game.
Numbers are just that though. I think that if you watched the secondary of both teams closely that it is pretty obvious. Nichols and Ford are deserved all stars and Holm ain’t no slouch either. Milligan is good, but like Houston last year is a bit of a riverboat gambler for the interception as shown by the TD against him this weekend. Nichols has the distinction of being so good that his man is rarely thrown to. The ultimate compliment and one you can’t give to Ford or Milligan.
But anything can of course happen in one game. Oulette could outplay Oliveira even though the numbers are on Brady’s side. Zach could outplay Harris even though Harris has the better numbers and has had the better season. I do know I would take Sergio in the clutch over any kicker in the league so huge advantage for the Bombers there, but don’t mention the war, er I mean punting.
I have no reason to believe that the game won’t be extremely close. Winnipeg has home field advantage and Saskatchewan has been the class of the league in the turnover department all year. It could be turnovers and penalties that decides the game as is often the case. We’ll see…
Ya numbers are just numbers and so is your opinion. You chose to ignore numbers and then your opinion goes against most others in the league with Milligan. Best Dback in the CFL even without all of his great numbers, the dude just makes plays. I agree with this assessment, but anything can happen in 1 game. I love where the Riders are at right now and they play for each other. Their D line is looking so good with plenty of depth. If Brady does not have success I think it’s game over and the Riders roll with a convincing win.
Going into the western final these two teams are extremely well and closely matched up.
I think the biggest factor in the game will be the home advantage.
The edge 100% goes to the Bombers.
At home and they know how to get it done.
Lets see what the Riders can do.
I think you are agreeing with me about the fact anything can happen in one game. I said it would be close and each team has their advantages and disadvantages.
I don’t agree that Milligan is on par with Nichols. I give Milligan full credit for being an excellent special teamer which Nichols isn’t, but the most important stat is how many times the other team throws at Nichols. Most games once or twice. Some games none. A completion every couple of games on average. The coaches know. Throw at him and you won’t win. This also makes everyone else better. There is no other DB in the league like him.
I agree with you that the Bombers are in trouble if Brady doesn’t have success. I’m not hopeful that Zach can light up the aerial attack, but you never know. Should be a good game.
But, will WPG have the weatherman in their pocket to create a windstorm at just the right moment? lol
I agree that the edge at running back goes to Winnipeg, but I think it’s even more significant than most. Yes, Ouellette rushed for 70 yards and 2 touch downs against the Lions, but 30 of those years came on 1 run. That means he only averaged 3 yards a carry on the other 13. One of the touchdowns came on from the 1 yard line, ion it had been form the 1.5 yard line he would have been stopped. He has been ineffective all year and I doubt that will change against winnipeg, even if their defence is getting old.
Bombers have a culture of winning. They rise to the occasion when the game is on the line. The bigger the game the better they are. It’s an intangible but might be the deciding factor between two pretty even teams. Too fully flush the last two years of the Craig Dickinson era the Riders some how have to overcome Bombers winning mindset. It won’t be easy.
Winnipeg.
They are sitting waiting and had an extra week to prepare, and to heal up.
When a team dominates in one division, the goal is to build a team to defeat them in the playoffs.
Bombers have dominated the fast 5 seasons.
Have the Riders built the team to get them past the dominators in the West playoffs… Time will tell.
I agree, like our last 2 outings this one should be close, possibly ending with a walk-off FG (hopefully by Lauther 
).
While I like our chances in the turnover battle, your Bombers have a knack for bringing out the worst in my Riders. I’m hoping our boys keep their emotions in check, as penalties have been their Achilles all season.
Coaching and their decisions, a huge edge here for the Bombers. This will be the deciding factor in a 10pt Bomber victory.
I agree but as in most years …regular season performance ain’t no indication of what will happen in the playoffs…
That’s my story and my hope and I am sticking to it.
Starting to feel a tad upitty 
Do not forget O’Shey’s Di… tricks. Could be some special teams/Offense for sure. This is one are Riders have not explore so far under Mace. A regular season and the playoffs games are differ in this area. Have to have some when required.
Di… Diabolical? Lol
Jon you seem to be the only one convinced of this so enjoy, but the rest of us will watch Milligan making plays all over the field being the best defensive player in that game.
Don’t write off Collaros and the Bombers passing attack too soon. Collaros went off for 5TD passes one game this year. If the Bomber 0-line provides protection Collaros still has enough in the tank to put up 300 yds or more passing. Even if we contain Olivera on the run Collaros can use him on check down passes where he is equally dangerous