With Saskatchewan's loss to the Calgary Stampeders 32-15 in Week 12, Charleston Hughes predicts it will help the Green and White against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday in the Labour Day Classic.
"One thing that I know for sure is that a losing team is a dangerous team because you don't know what to expect," Hughes said on the SportsCage. "Saskatchewan, to lose a game like that to a good team, I think it keeps them in check as the best team in the league. It makes them have to respect teams and you've got to play your best game all the time. You can expect the Riders to probably come off on top, winning by like 13 points."
Hughes elaborated on why the loss for the Riders will help the team elevate their performance.
"When you go 8-1 like that losing really keeps you in check and it keeps you honest, it makes you not get relaxed," Hughes explained. "It makes you really play your best ball game because a team like Calgary you're going to have to face them again when it comes to playoff time."
One person Hughes wants to congratulate for the Stampeders is defensive coordinator Bob Slowik for his game plan against Riders' quarterback Trevor Harris.
"He's calling some great plays. He's putting players in position to win games, they're playing championship-style football. That defence is playing very well right now," Hughes said.
"I think what frustrated Trevor Harris is that they took away his first read. When you go into a game and you take away a quarterback's first read when he's more of a rhythm-style quarterback — he likes to get the ball out on time, likes to get the ball to the receiver on time on shorter passes — it's hard as it makes them hold the football more, think a little bit more, and become a little bit hesitant about throwing the ball on the fly."
The 39-year-old Harris finished the game against the Stampeders completing 15-of-23 passes for 205 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
The 60th Labour Day Classic match-up between the Bombers and Riders goes on Sunday. Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk, and Wes Cates have the pre-game show at 2 p.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 5 p.m. Listen or watch our comprehensive coverage at the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.
