Courtesy of the CFL’s mixed-up schedule-maker, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have an impractical final third of their 2017 season.
Starting Friday in Ottawa, four of the Riders’ six remaining games are against East Division teams. The Riders are in the West Division.
With a 6-6 record they’re in the middle of a playoff tussle, currently sitting fourth in the West and holders of the wild-card berth into the East playoffs.
At first glance, it’s unfair that Saskatchewan played Sunday and gets only two practices before making the difficult trip to play the Redblacks, who get a full week between games.
And why the heck are the Roughriders not playing intra-divisional games?
Major League Baseball, which understands playoff races, tries to get teams to play late-season games against rivals in the same division. It adds drama and intensity to the stretch run.
The Riders get an easier schedule by playing inferior, East opponents, but it would be better if they were earning their way through the West.