Inside the CFL: It’s the Riders’ world, how will they live in it

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on September 11, 2025.

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Now begins the stretch drive of the 2025 regular season.

Every team has six games to go. It is clear Saskatchewan is the pick of the CFL litter. With a record of 10-2 it would take a collapse of epic proportion to keep them from finishing in first place.

They are second in total offence. They have had the most big plays (defined as +20 yards rushing, +30 yards passing) and have given up the fewest. They lead in time of possession, are second in two-and-out situations and field position. Despite a rash of injuries to starters, they find a way to win.

Trevor Harris is No. 1 in passing efficiency. His top receivers KeeSean Johnson and Dohte Meyers rank third and eighth in the league respectively. Running back A.J. Ouellette is third in rushing.

Canadian receivers Dhel Duncan-Busby and Tommy Nield have performed yeoman service replacing Samuel Emilus and Kian Schaffer-Baker. The Green offence has the second fewest penalties and is third in sacks allowed.

As good as they are on offence, they are even better on defence, first in sacks and interceptions, second in points allowed.

Surprisingly in passing yards surrendered, they rank eighth which means, along with the offence, they make big plays when it matters the most. They are talented opportunists.

The little black cloud on the prairie horizon is the poor place-kicking by Brett Lauther. I had a little chat with him after their loss to Calgary. Although he missed a convert, he made all five field-goals against the Bombers in the Banjo Bowl. You’re welcome.

The Riders are home to Montreal, Toronto and B.C., on the road in Edmonton, Ottawa and Winnipeg. They catch a break against the Als on Saturday in that the visitors have lost five in a row without their starting quarterback Davis Alexander.

Saskatchewan will likely run the table.

Quick Six and Friends sit second at 8-4 and 16 points. They’ve looked like the best team in the league until last Saturday when they were chased back to Calgary by a stampeding herd of Elk. The team is undefeated against opponents with winning records. They have trouble with teams below them in the standings. Typical of the young team they are, they have a tendency to play down to the opposition.

What has to be concerning to head coach Dave Dickenson is the sub-par play of quarterback Vernon Adams Jr.

Although they beat Edmonton 28-7 on Labour Day, he only completed 56.5 per cent of his passes.

In their losing cause at Commonwealth last Saturday, he was worse with a 51.7 per cent mark. In both games he consistently missed wide open receivers. The Stamps are on a bye-week so they have time to figure it out.

Calgary is home to B.C. and Toronto and visitors in Montreal, B.C., Hamilton and Edmonton. I think they’ll win three of those and finish second with a record of 11-7. Given their great defence, If Adams Jr. bounces back they can win them all.

Since the 6-6 Bombers have lost five times to Calgary and Saskatchewan, the real race in the West is for third place.

They face the Alouettes, Roughriders and Hamilton at home and the Ti-Cats, Redblacks and Elks away. They could get a split, depending on the status of Zach Collaros. To be fair, he hasn’t been that good when healthy. Nic Demski right now is the best receiver in the league, RB Brady Oliveira seems to be rounding into form. But back-up quarterback Chris Streveler is a poor passer, meaning they can’t take full advantage of their biggest asset the receiving corps.

They have a terrible -11 giveaway/takeaway ratio. Very little has gone right for them this year. They have won the season series against B.C.

The Elks are the hottest team in the league right now. Cody Fajardo has the second best efficiency rating. Justin Rankin has been sensational. But their defensive line is decimated and they take too many penalties.

In May I wrote they would struggle early and be a power house later. “I don’t know about a power house,” Mark Kilam told me, “but we’ll be better.”

They have a tough schedule facing Winnipeg, Saskatchewan, Calgary, Toronto and B.C.

They can finish third.

Their B.C. rival is strong offensively but can’t stop the Sweet Sisters of Charity.

Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 53 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.