Saskatchewan Roughriders legend Darian Durant believes it's important for the Green and White to win on Saturday in Week 11 against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for multiple reasons.
"I think this is a must-win for the Riders. They have to beat Hamilton because they are going into Calgary next week and then playing Winnipeg back-to-back. You have to look at it as you're going to lose one of those games, possibly two huge road games in the West," Durant said on the SportsCage.
"Whenever you're in the West — I don't care what your record is — you should never think that you've got it in the bag. Anybody can get hot, the weather can change, anything can happen."
Saskatchewan tops the CFL and are first in the West Division with a 7-1 record. One of those wins came against the Ticats 28-23 in Hamilton during Week 2. Following the Riders home game against the Tiger-Cats (6-3), the Green and White play the Calgary Stampeders (6-3) on the road, then have two games, one at home and one away, against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-4).
"You gotta win the big games, you have to win the games, especially teams with winning records. It's one thing to beat up on the bottom half of the league. These key games, especially on the road, are coming up against teams with winning records. Those are the games you have to win before you can really look at yourself as I've made it or to consider yourself a really good team," Durant explained.
"Calgary went into Mosaic and won, I think Calgary has the Riders number there. Then the Riders have to go to Calgary next week and we'll see where they are. When you look at the Labour Day match-up with Winnipeg, I think you have to mark that down as a split and then you have to look at the other games as a must-win."
According to Durant, Hamilton's offence will have a challenge versus Corey Mace's defence.
"The Riders play a bend but don't break style defence in the secondary. Playing against a quarterback like Bo [Levi Mitchell], he's going to take what the defence gives you, he's not going to make those mistakes down the field. Sometimes the softer you play, you play right into the hands of a quarterback, especially the way Bo is playing right now," Durant said.
"I think if you're Hamilton and you're Bo Levi, you come in and take the underneath completions. You make Saskatchewan come up in second and medium and second and short situations and get your one-on-ones down the field with some of these big-time receivers that they have. The key is basically first down for Hamilton, if you can put yourself in second and medium or second and short, then you give yourself an opportunity to go against a Riders secondary that has given up a lot of yards this year."
The 35-year-old Mitchell is leading CFL quarterbacks this year in passing yards with 2,856 and passing touchdowns with 21 against three interceptions in nine starts.
Saskatchewan returns from a bye week to host the Tiger-Cats at home on Saturday. Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk and Wes Cates bring to you the pre-game show at 10 a.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 1 p.m. You can hear and watch extensive coverage on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.
