Saskatchewan Roughriders Andy Fantuz (CP PHOTO/Troy Fleece)TROY FLEECE/The Canadian Press
Calgary Stampeders (6-1) at B.C. Lions (1-6)
Friday, 10:30 p.m.
The Lions welcome back quarterback Casey Printers, who has been out with a knee injury since Week 3. Defensive lineman Jonathan Brown and offensive lineman Joe McGrath, both CFL veterans signed during last week's bye, will make their orange-and-black debuts. The Stampeders are thin at defensive end because of injuries to Charleston Hughes and Justin Phillips, who are not expected to dress. Head coach John Hufnagel's Stamps have won eight in a row against counterpart Wally Buono's Lions. Calgary has won four consecutive games, while the Lions have lost six in a row, including all three 2010 dates at Empire Field. B.C. has the league's worst offence (averaging just 326 yards per game), while the Stampeders boast the league's best defence (which surrenders just 310.1 yards per game). Even at the best of times, this isn't a good matchup for B.C. - and these are hardly the best of times.
The Pick Calgary
Saskatchewan Roughriders (5-2) at Edmonton Eskimos (1-6)
Saturday, 7 p.m.
The Eskimos are set to play before their largest crowd of the season - upwards of 45,000 - thanks to Rider Nation, which will invade Commonwealth Stadium and attempt to turn it into a home game for Saskatchewan. The Roughriders are beat up at cornerback: Tad Kornegay and Omarr Morgan were both limited at practice this week, while Donovan Alexander is returning from a hamstring injury. The Eskimos defence is permitting a league-worst 34.1 points per game. It is porous against the run, giving up 163.7 yards per contest, and doesn't generate much pass rush. The Riders' losses have come to Calgary and the Montreal Alouettes, but they needed an 11-0 run in the fourth quarter to beat Edmonton on July 17. That suggests the "home" team has hope. The Eskimos' motivation should also be high because jobs are on the line. Will it be enough to trump superior talent and coaching? Not this week.
The Pick Saskatchewan
Last week 2-0; Season 14-16
All times Eastern