It is amusing that this classic matchup is referred to as the ‘Labour Day Classic’ as it does not actually occur on Labour Day. However, the Bombers will look to inch closer to the Riders, and Saskatchewan will look to get back to their winning ways.

I really feel like this is a game where you throw everything out the window; stats, win/loss record, who has been hot or not…it just does not seem to be the most important predictor of the game. And that might be a good thing for the Bombers as Saskatchewan is sitting on top of the CFL West Division.

Does Harris Throw More INTs?
This is not a knock on Trevor Harris. And, yes I understand that Collaros has had issues with interceptions. But I just want to ask the question; in such a big game as the Labour Day Classic do we see Trevor Harris revert back to throwing numerous interceptions?

If there is a weak spot, a spot for the Bombers to exploit in Trevor Harris’ game it would be the propensity to throw untimely interceptions. While Harris is on pace to throw the most touchdowns in a season he ever has, he is also on pace to throw the second most interceptions in a season that he has.

What does that mean for the Bombers. Well, two things to be exact. The Bombers need to continue to try and defend against the long ball…something that they have not been good at all year. Now the positive in all of this is that the Bombers could find themselves the recipients of some ill thrown balls and get some game changing interceptions.

How About Collaros?
Zach does seem poised and ready to go for this game.

Here is what the Bombers’ Head Coach Mike O’Shea has to say about Collaros, “That competitive fire, you’d like to say it’s the same in everybody at this level but everybody’s got different degrees of it. And then he’s got just vision and feel that the really, really good ones have. I mean, he’s athletic, he takes care of his body, he’s strong… a lot of the stuff that allows people to play a long time. But he’s got a vision and feel for the game and the space around him that the really good ones have. It’s instinctual.” – source

I will be the first to admit that he has not had a great season so far. But as for Collaros, he does not get hung up on the numbers, “With more reps you get a better understanding of what you’re doing,” he explained. “I probably do a better job of keeping myself out of sticky situations (than 10 years ago).

“The numbers don’t always say that but if I went back and watched myself 10 years ago I’d probably go, ‘What the hell am I doing?’ A lot of stuff back then I could get away with because I could move around and run — I’m not saying I’m not able to do that any more, it’s just not at as high of a rate and it looks way worse.

“It’s just having an overall understanding of this game and what it takes to win week in and week out. Again, the numbers don’t always reflect a winning football game. I’m not just saying that for me, I’m saying that for every quarterback or every offensive unit. Sometimes you’ve got to burn a ball. It might hurt your completion percentage. Sometimes you’ve got to take a sack or not take a sack. Those things all add up and compound over the course of the game. It’s understanding those moments.” – source

Bombers’ Depth Chart

Schoen is healthy and ready to go, and so is Demski, while Moore and Echols are not yet ready; much like I predicted. That means that Cobb also draws in. It is noteworthy that Demski was limited in all the practices this week, so there could be some question on how much he plays on Sunday.

On the defensive side of the ball, Adams is out which has the Bombers dressing 7 defensive linemen instead of the 8 they dressed last week. That opened up a sport for Woodbey to be on the depth chart at the weak side linebacker position – where the Bombers are dressing 4 this week. With Kramdi out this week, Ball gets a spot at the free safety position, where he was listed last week as a half back behind Holm…so expect that Ball may move around. All in all, not too much changes from last week, but the loss of Adams may play a role as he is a disruptive player.

Riders’ Depth Chart

Spot checking the lineup, I see a few positions that are mentionable. First, Sayles is listed as a game time decision. While Exume is no slouch, the loss of Sayles would be a hit for Saskatchewan. Also back in for the Riders is Alford who is always dangerous as a returner and Ajou who is a solid receiver.

Despite all of that, probably the biggest story is Saskatchewan’s kicker – Lauther. Missing another field goal last week, it is very interesting that Saskatchewan is not dressing Campbell Fair – a kicker they brought in for some competition as Lauther struggles. Even before last week’s game vs. Calgary, Saskatchewan’s head coach said he was unsure who would kick for them against Calgary. So what does this say about the Riders going with Lauther again this week, and are they right? Time will tell.

Does History Matter?

Historically, the Riders have won 64% of these games; but does that matter? While some of the matches have been lopsided, when you look at the other lines, they are fairly close for having played 59 times. However, I say, throw that all out the window…it does not matter. In the Labour Day Classic expect the unexpected!

Make no mistake, this will be a tough game for the Bombers especially if they get down early. But if Saskatchewan lets the Bombers hang around, or Saskatchewan has issues with their kicker or quarterback the Bombers will have a great chance of winning as the stadium will get deflated.

This also tends to be the time of year that teams break out ‘trick’ or ‘gadget’ plays. Never wanting to show them too early in the season, yet making teams have to prepare for them for the rest of the season, this weekend is a great one for a trick play or two. Add to the fact that not only do both teams want to beat each other, with the standing where they are, both teams need to beat each other. After this game the Bombers and Riders are going to play two more times, so getting the first win in a three game series is critical.

Final Thoughts
This game could go either of numerous way. Saskatchewan could blow out Winnipeg. Winnipeg could be close and lose or close and win. However, the chances of a Winnipeg blowout seem very unlikely. Yet, the CFL writers are all taking the same teams and all taking the home teams. I simply cannot imagine that they go 100% this weekend, and Bomber fans are hoping they got the first pick wrong.

Who does the edge go to in the Labour Day Classic (that is not really played on Labour Day) with the Riders dropping their last one and the Bomber winning their last one?

Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this.

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