Riders vs. Ti-Cats: On The Road Again

As a Rider fan I feel qualified to say this do to lived experience, the football gods seem to hate the Ti-Cats. We all mocked Winnipeg for not winning a Grey Cup since 1990. But the Ti-Cats are the new Bombers and creeping up on 30 years without a Cup. The Renegades came and went in the time since they last won. Their fans have long suffered. They suffered through Burris embarrassing himself here in 2013. They suffered through the called back kick return the next year. They suffered. But this year should have been different. They should be competing with the Als for 1^st. They have a Grey Cup caliber roster. But instead Bo got hurt and they are once again suffering. 

You might look at this game and think that due to them starting their 4^th QB of the year this should go the same way as last week. But there is one massive difference between Ottawa and Hamilton (other than Ottawa managing to win a Cup this century). While Ottawa’s defense was dog shit, Hamilton’s is legit. They have a top 3 defense despite having nothing resembling an offense. 

So let’s look at how our offense is going to overcome that formidable D, given that that’s the key matchup in this game. The Ti-Cats allow the 3^rd least points and the 3^rd least yards. They are stingy particularly in the pass game. I would say we should lean on the run but with our backup RB questionable we may be relying on Star Thomas the 3rd stringer. I don’t see us ignoring the run, it will not be a focus and it will be a split between Hudon and Star. This will be on Harris and it will require him to be patient. Unlike Edmonton and Ottawa he won’t have an easy air show. This will be a far more traditional Harris dink and dunk game. Obviously KeeSean is a focus but Hamilton will key on him and unlike Ottawa they are talented enough to be effective. Joey Jojo and Busby will need to play a big role. Need to avoid turnovers and take what we get. Settling for FGs may be required… which regardless of kicker makes me ill at the thought of it. 

Offensively Harrison Frost is an upgrade over Dolegala, who we saw in the first game. But that is a bit like saying a hotdog is an upgrade over manure in terms of food quality. Frost is completing only 54% of his passes so its not like he’s super intimidating. But with a D as good as Hamilton’s he just needs to be okay to give them a chance. Hamilton is 7^th in rushing so keeping them one dimensional should be doable. Lawler and Smith are dangerous receivers if Frost can get them the ball. So D-line needs to make life difficult. Secondary just needs to play solid and limit big plays. The more Frost has to throw the better for us. 

Let’s not forget that we are still a very depleted roster. We are a couple injuries away from me being a viable option as a token Canadian. We are on the road. We are playing a good defense. This is no gimme and this is a losable game. But kinda like I did last game I go back to the QB match-up. Harris is playing some of the best football of his storied career. Frost is playing because he’s the last remaining option after an injured guy and 2 more who were flat out terrible. 

This will be hard and far closer than I’d like (that’s what she said). We will need to grind it out and probably come from behind. 

It will take a late FG (Hale or Hodge), make it we win. Miss we lose. 

I say we win.