For the fourth and final time, the Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders will face off with one another in 2021. The stakes are the highest for this final clash: the West Semi-Final in Regina where the winner will advance to play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Calgary took two of three games against Saskatchewan in 2021 and at 8-6 fell one win short to hosting this game instead of the 9-5 Roughriders. None the less, the Stamps finished 5-2 on the road in 2021 but winning at Mosaic Stadium isn’t easy and the Riders’ 5-2 home record this season speaks to this point. Kickoff is set for 4:30 p.m. EST.

CFL Odds and Betting

When dissecting the three times Calgary and Saskatchewan met in 2021 it’s clear that these teams are very even. In those three contests, no team scored more than 23 points and scored no fewer than 17. Two were three-point games, the other a six-point Calgary win sealed by an interception deep in their territory.

Both clubs trended significantly to the under this year (Calgary 9-5, Saskatchewan 10-4). Quarterbacking struggles on both sides played a factor, as did two defences that averaged under 21 points allowed an outing. Oddsmakers have put the over-under at 41.5 on the CFL odds, along with Saskatchewan as a 1.5-point favourite.

Calgary Stampeders

Completing seven of 11 passes for 39 yards last weekend summarizes the success of Bo Levi Mitchell’s 2021 season: not much. Mitchell finished with 13 interceptions and 10 touchdowns in 11 starts but has right-hand man back in Reggie Begelton. After returning from the NFL, Begelton caught seven passes for 119 yards and a score in his debut two weeks ago. If Mitchell’s to perform like his old self on Sunday, expect a high volume of work toward Begelton.

Calgary’s strength this season has been on defence. They allowed the second-fewest touchdowns, held opponents to under 19 points a game, and recently got cornerback Tre Roberson back from the NFL too — and he’s playing at an elite level.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Roughriders counter Calgary’s meaningful NFL-player additions with one of their own, a receiver named Duke Williams. In four games this season Williams caught 17 balls for 285 yards and a touchdown, and also recovered three onside kicks. The duo of Williams and Shaq Evans leaves quarterback Cody Fajardo with two big-bodied weapons to throw to.

Saskatchewan’s defensive front had a dominant year with 47 sacks (second in the CFL), but the back end had its blemishes allowing a league-worst 273.6 passing yards per game. This in turn resulted in 31 offensive touchdowns against — tied for the most in the CFL. Having the home crowd behind this defence helps, but it’s a unit experiencing late season struggles.

Who Will Win Stampeders vs. Roughriders?