Riders don’t believe in underdog role heading into West Final

Despite the Saskatchewan Roughriders and B.C. Lions finishing the season with identical 10-8 records, the Green and White are heading into hostile territory as the underdog.

But head coach Corey Mace doesn’t think his team should be viewed that way.

“We never think (we’re the underdog). I get it for people who like to put their money on the line, I understand that,” Mace said.

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Defensive back Marcus Sayles said the team isn’t thinking about who is the favourite to win this game and head to Edmonton to meet the Elks in the CFL West Final.

“We just come out here to work. We know what’s ahead of us. Everyone has been having a great week of practice, everyone is excited and everyone has been doing extra in the meeting rooms and getting their body right,” Sayles said. “We feel really good this week.”

The Riders do come into the game with plenty of championship experience, raising the Grey Cup just last season.

But the Lions were one of the hottest teams in the CFL in the second half of the season while the Riders struggled mightily.

Saskatchewan won the first meeting between the two clubs as both teams opened their season in Week 2 at Mosaic Stadium.

But trips to Vancouver haven’t been kind to the Riders in 2026, losing both showdowns in B.C.

Last time out in a 31-24 B.C. win, Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke was able to hit on a number of big plays and had two separate drives where they travelled 70 yards in just two plays.

“We just have to play as 12. Everyone has to do their jobs and don’t reach and do anything else you’re not supposed to do,” Sayles said.

“Rourke is going to make his plays. He has made plays all season. He has his receivers and playmakers around him to do it. If we play our top-down defence, we keep him in the pocket and our D-Line is going to eat like they have done all season. We feel like if we don’t give up explosion plays, we will be OK.”

Saskatchewan will be without starting safety Nelson Lokombo for the game as he has been ruled out with a hip injury. Safety Jaxon Ford will start in his place.

Offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick said their focus is just on going 1-0 this week.

“We know we’re going to go against a great team,” Hardrick said. “It’s win or go home.”

“I Just want to continue to love on the guys and spend time with the guys and I want to see (the media) for another week. It’s all good to say but we have to go prove it.”

With the game set to take place on Saturday, Mace said his team is champing at the bit to get things underway.

“We’re no different than any other team at this point in the week. You’re ready to go after it,” Mace said.

“I thought it was a great week of practice for us. We talked about how there’s still a lot of mental preparation for us until we get to kickoff but pleased with where we are at.”

Kickoff for the game is set for 2:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Green Zone pregame show begins at 12:30 p.m.