2:33 p.m.
Apparently there's been a big betting surge toward the Riders, and they're now a 3.5 favourite. Luc expects this to be an exceptionally close game, even won by a field goal, so he's taking the Alouettes and the points!
2:27 p.m.
If you're looking for more on Alexander's hamstring injury — reportedly a Grade 2 strain or partial tear — check out this 3Down Nation article by JD.
1:48 p.m.
The teams are in for some decent weather for a Grey Cup Final. Temperature at kickoff will be around 1 C, with no precipitation in the forecast. The wind should be a minimal factor, coming out of the west at 10 km/h and dropping to 5 km/h later in the game.
1:37 p.m.
The time has finally come.
It’s the best of the West versus the best of the East, it’s the biggest game of the season in the Canadian Football League, it’s the Saskatchewan Roughriders taking on the Montreal Alouettes in the 112th Grey Cup from Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg!
The Roughriders put together a 12-6-0 record in the regular season and finished in first place in the West Division, earning a bye to the West Final against the B.C. Lions. There, a heroic defensive stand led to quarterback Trevor Harris engineering a last minute drive and the Riders would secure a 24-21 victory to book their spot in the Grey Cup.
The Alouettes had a 10-8-0 record in the regular season and were second in the East Division, giving them a longer road to the Grey Cup. They took a 42-33 win over Winnipeg in the Eastern Semifinal and then ended up in an epic battle with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Eastern Final, with a 45-yard field goal by Jose Carlos Maltos on the game’s final play giving Montreal a 19-16 win.
The two teams met twice in the regular season, with Saskatchewan taking a 34-6 victory back in Week 9 and Montreal winning 48-31 in Week 15. Neither game was indicative of what the teams look like today, though, so expect the unexpected.
It’s been a long and busy week for the two teams in the lead-up to the championship game, and SportsCage.com has had comprehensive coverage from start to finish as the two teams prepared to take the field, so if you’re looking for all sorts of insights, why not stop by for a read?
The Rider Broadcast Network pre-game show with Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates is set for 2 p.m., and Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder will have the game call at 5 p.m. And in a special Grey Cup feature, be sure to check back after each quarter for insights from Luc as the game progresses!
The Roughriders depth chart. There aren’t many changes to report, but one big omission, Thousand yard receiver KeeSean Johnson attempted to overcome a knee injury during practice earlier this week, but was unable to do so and has been ruled out for Grey Cup.
Receiver Joe Robustelli is also out with a concussion, and as a result, Ajou Ajou slots in at wide receiver, with Regina product Mitchell Picton as his back-up.
Harris is coming off arguably the best season of his career. He completed 348 of 473 passes for 4,549 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions and finished second in the CFL in quarterback efficiency with a 110.7 rating.
Running back A.J, Ouellette also had a career year and finished second in CFL rushing with 248 carries for 1,222 yards and eight touchdowns. Dohnte Meyers leads the receiving corps with 65 catches for 1,056 yards and a team-best eight touchdowns.
Linebacker A.J. Allen leads the defence with 91 tackles, including four sacks, to go along with four interceptions. Defensive end Malik Carney led the sack attack with eight, while Tevaughn Campbell was tops with six interceptions, tied for first in the CFL.
The Alouettes depth chart. All eyes are on make-or-break quarterback Davis Alexander. The dynamic dual-threat pivot has been battling a hamstring injury throughout the season and has played only eight games, but made the most of his time behind centre.
Alexander completed 158 of 218 passes for 2,024 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions, with his 110.7 quarterback efficiency tied with Harris. He also finished fourth in team rushing with 12 carries for 110 yards and one touchdown.
Alexander is still banged up leading into the Grey Cup and has worked with physio staff all week to prepare for the game, so his performance ability is up in the air.
Stevie Scott III is Montreal’s top ball carrier with 86 carries for 418 yards and a touchdown, Travis Thies has 70 carries for 365 yards. Tyler Snead leads the receiving corps with 84 catches for 1,129 yards and four touchdowns, while Tyson Philpot — who had a monster game in Montreal’s Week 15 win — has 61 catches for 804 yards and five majors, leading the team in the latter category.
Middle linebacker Darnell Sankey leads the defence with 103 tackles — third best in the league — and two sacks, while defensive end Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund was tops with 11 sacks. Weak side linebacker Tyrice Beverette and defensive back Kabion Ento led the Als with four sacks each.
