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Michael Bishop is not a kid.

He's 32 years old, been around the CFL since 2002 and is now a full decade removed from being named a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy and winning the Davey O'Brien Award as U.S. college football's top quarterback.

To put that in sharper perspective, he is 15 months older than the player he once was ahead of on the New England Patriots' depth chart, three-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady.

In his CFL career, Bishop has thrown 51 touchdown passes, but 56 interceptions in the regular season. And in the only playoff start of his career last season, he led his Toronto Argonauts to just nine points in a loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers that cost them a berth in a hometown Grey Cup game.

All of which is why it is time for Bishop to prove he's more than just a big-armed quarterback prone to big-time mistakes, the kind of player who can thrill you one minute, then break your heart the next.

And why his performance in today's CFL West Division semi-final for the Saskatchewan Roughriders may go a very long way to dictating not just whether he's back in Regina next season, but also what kind of career he has ahead of him.

"Some things happen that you have control over and some things happen that you have no control over," Bishop said. "That's part of the game. You're going to make mistakes and you're going to do some great things out on the field. It goes both ways."

Few quarterbacks in professional football have illustrated that better than Bishop, whose final start of the regular season was all too typical of the kind of yin and yang player he can be.

In that game, Bishop completed 18 of 32 passes for 292 yards against Toronto, many of them stunning displays of strength and accuracy with the football. He also threw four interceptions and was a hair away from being pulled from the game early in the second half.

In recent weeks, his play often seems absolutely counter to the style of game he's being asked to play by head coach Ken Miller, who preaches managing the game and ball security above all else. Meanwhile, he's had to stand by and watch his quarterbacks fire 13 interceptions in their past four games, seven of them by Bishop.

Miller maintains he can't simply coach quarterbacks not to throw the ball to the other team, since such a negative approach sows the seeds for mistakes and self-doubt. But he admitted yesterday that Bishop's style of game is not altogether suited to what the Roughriders are asking him to do at this stage of the season.

"He is not totally compatible with managing the game," Miller said. "The thing he gives us is a tremendous opportunity to make plays. That's his skill and that's what we hope to capitalize on."

The most pertinent question heading into today's game is just how long a leash Miller plans to give Bishop. In many games this season, the Saskatchewan head coach has been quick to turn to his backups, Darien Durant and Steven Jyles.

But a week ago, Miller resisted the temptation to do so when Bishop begged for another chance after interception No.ƒ| 4. It was a gesture of trust by Miller and Bishop responded by not turning the ball over from that point forward and rallying his team for a win.

The question is how much can Miller trust Bishop with the Roughriders' season on the line?

"If he's absolutely horrible early, then I'll make a decision that matches that situation," Miller said. "I don't expect that to happen."

If it does, however, don't expect Bishop to be invited for a chance to be Saskatchewan's starter next year.

His midseason arrival from Toronto this season was the product of unique circumstances, a team looking to repeat as Grey Cup champions, but without the key cog in the puzzle.

Would other CFL clubs be interested in him, if not as a starter, then as backup insurance? Sure they would. But Bishop's best opportunity to move his career forward, to shed his reputation as a player with more down side than up, is right here and now.

"I don't make any promises to anybody," Bishop said. "My main thing is to come out and play football. In football, you're going to have mistakes, regardless of how it may happen. So you got to live with it and keep moving on. I'm not the type of guy who gets caught up if I throw a pick here. I'm not concerned. I'm looking forward to the next play."

Five keys to watch

The B.C. Lions Pass Rush The Lions led the league in sacks and had 10 in two games against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in September. They will try to force Saskatchewan quarterback Michael Bishop to unload the ball early and make mistakes.

The Saskatchewan Running Game How did the Riders win 12 games without a solid starter at quarterback? Look no further than running back Wes Cates, who averaged better than six yards a carry in three games against the Lions this season.

The Saskatchewan Receivers The Roughriders' starting five have almost no postseason experience, with 24-year-old Andy Fantuz the veteran among the group.

The Weather A high of 1 and a clear, sunny sky is good Prairies football weather. But the Lions haven't played in a game with a temperature that low all season, and never for some of the players.

The Fans B.C.'s Wally Buono says there's no home advantage at playoff time. But a sellout crowd of nearly 31,000 will sound like 50,000 and make its voice heard every time the Lions have the ball.