As the season winds down and the West Division playoff race heats up, reinforcements are on the way in both Saskatchewan and Calgary. D’haquille Williams is set to make his first start for the Riders here, last appearing in the CFL in 2018 when he had 1,579 yards and 11 touchdowns. Calgary’s brought Tre Roberson in to a secondary that’s shut down Riders’ pivot Cody Fajardo and now Michael Reilly in back-to-back-to-back weeks — all of which were wins for the Stamps. Roberson won’t dress but it’s a move that shows the Stamps are all-in.

Saskatchewan’s 5-4 and in second in the West. Calgary’s in third at 5-5 and possess the tiebreaker over the Roughriders. The stakes have yet to be higher in the CFL season. Kickoff at McMahon Stadium starts at 9:45 p.m. EST.

The game is a pick’em on the CFL odds, with a total of 44.0.

CFL Odds and Betting

The Stampeders took back-to-back contests over Saskatchewan earlier in the month by a score of 45-36. Calgary’s most recent victory over the Riders saw them reach 449 yards of offence to Saskatchewan’s 260, yet it came down to a last-second field goal by Rene Paredes.

Calgary won outright as underdogs in both meetings and it’s made Saturday’s bout a pick’em. The total’s listed at 44 — a number higher than the total in each of their two meetings this season. The Riders are 6-3 to the under in 2021 and Calgary’s 6-4. Head-to-head, the Stamps have won 13 of their last 16 against Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

The injection of Williams, a former Buffalo Bill, should have a major impact on Fajardo’s passing attack that ranks seventh in yards per game and average gain per pass. Fajardo’s passed for over 300 yards once this season and it was back in Week 3 versus Ottawa. He’s also at an eight to eight touchdown to interception ratio, which won’t cut it.

Along with Williams, receiver Shaq Evans may return Saturday as well. Evans is off the six-game injured list and is coming off a 2019 season that saw him collect 1,334 receiving yards.

Elsewhere starting defensive backs Ed Gainey, Blace Brown, Christian Campbell, and Godfrey Onyeka all missed practice Wednesday.

Calgary Stampeders

Bo Levi Mitchell had his best game this season last Saturday, throwing for 270 yards and no interceptions. Despite Mitchell’s struggles in 2021 Calgary’s offence ranks third in both points for (21.2) and net offence (347.5). It’s a group where everyone’s contributing too.

Last week it was Luther Hakunavanhu recording his first CFL score and Richard Sindani leading the way with six grabs for 60 yards. On the season, three receivers have over 490 yards (Kamar Jorden has 539, Markeith Ambles has 526, and Josh Huff at 496). Both Jorden and Huff missed last week’s win but are full participants in practise.

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