There’s plenty on the line for the Toronto Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers when the teams clash at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday night.
The Boatmen can clinch a playoff spot for the fourth straight year with a win and eliminate their archrivals — the Hamilton Tiger-Cats — in the process. The victory would also move Toronto into second place in the East Division one point ahead of the Redblacks, though Ottawa would still have a game in hand.
The Argonauts won their first meeting of the season against Winnipeg in late July by a score of 16-14. Toronto managed only 205 yards of net offence in the overtime win but forced five takeaways, including a pick-six by veteran defensive back Tarvarus McFadden. Cameron Dukes started at quarterback for the Double Blue, though he was replaced by Nick Arbuckle at the start of the second quarter.
Chad Kelly, who has gone 3-3 since his return from suspension, will be under centre for Toronto this time around, which will be his first career start against the Blue Bombers.
Winnipeg hasn’t lost since their defeat at BMO Field, rattling off eight straight wins to retake the top spot in the West Division. A victory on Friday would clinch the top spot in the West Division for a fourth straight season and give the team a first-round bye ahead of the West Final on Saturday, Nov. 9.
Brady Oliveira has rushed for 360 yards and scored four touchdowns over his team’s last three games amid a late-season push for Most Outstanding Player. The Argonauts will be a tough test for the veteran ball-carrier as they have the top-ranked run defence in the CFL, giving up 75.5 yards per game and 4.6 yards per carry.
The Blue Bombers could also clinch first place in the West Division with a loss this week, provided the Saskatchewan Roughriders lose to the B.C. Lions on Saturday. The Riders can clinch a home playoff game with a win and could still host the West Final if they win their final two games of the regular season, provided Winnipeg loses its final two games.
The Toronto Argonauts (8-7) will visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (10-6) on Friday, Oct. 11 with kickoff slated for 8:30 p.m. EDT.
