Beating Riders keeps it simple
10/23/2003 12:00:00 AM | Football
Two will get you plenty of friendly company. Three's a crowd, not to mention a headache.
A win by the Lions over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday at B.C. Place Stadium will take all the confusion out of the Western Division playoff race.
B.C. would own second spot and play host to the division semifinal Nov. 2.
However, a B.C. loss, coupled with a win Friday by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers over Edmonton would produce a three-way tie among clubs with records of 11-7.
That, in the CFL, is known as a problem.
CFL vice-president Ed Chalupka spent the better part of Monday trying to interpret the spirit of the rule book, then said that in the event of a three-way tie the Bombers would finish second, ahead of the Riders and Lions.
That scenario would put B.C. into the Eastern Division for the playoffs Nov. 2, likely starting at Toronto. Losses by both B.C. and Winnipeg this week would mean the Lions finish third and travel to face Saskatchewan.
The CFL hasn't had a three-way tie since 1977, which is why Chalupka reviewed the tie-breaking procedure, which gives preference to the team with the most wins against all other tied clubs.
B.C. has a 2-1 season-series advantage over Winnipeg, but hasn't beaten the Riders in two road tries. Winnipeg has the tie-breaking edge on Saskatchewan.
True to form, though, Lions coach Wally Buono isn't getting caught up in the math lesson. A win Saturday and the Lions own the home playoff date, which was put before the franchise as a goal upon Buono's arrival.
Unlike some seasons, home-field advantage would actually mean something to the Lions, who were 5-4 on the road but are 6-2 so far under the dome.
It is why Buono and some of his players have begun to phrase their comments in the form of a sales pitch.
"We need the fans at B.C. Place to get riled up and get us the home-field advantage that they get in Regina," said quarterback Dave Dickenson.
LIONS TALES: TSN has already riled up Saskatchewan fans. The network won't show Saturday's game after the Lions earlier this season declined a request by TSN to move up the start time. ... Concerned that his secondary gave up nearly 300 yards passing against 1-17 Hamilton, Buono will bring in two more defensive backs today.
A win by the Lions over the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday at B.C. Place Stadium will take all the confusion out of the Western Division playoff race.
B.C. would own second spot and play host to the division semifinal Nov. 2.
However, a B.C. loss, coupled with a win Friday by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers over Edmonton would produce a three-way tie among clubs with records of 11-7.
That, in the CFL, is known as a problem.
CFL vice-president Ed Chalupka spent the better part of Monday trying to interpret the spirit of the rule book, then said that in the event of a three-way tie the Bombers would finish second, ahead of the Riders and Lions.
That scenario would put B.C. into the Eastern Division for the playoffs Nov. 2, likely starting at Toronto. Losses by both B.C. and Winnipeg this week would mean the Lions finish third and travel to face Saskatchewan.
The CFL hasn't had a three-way tie since 1977, which is why Chalupka reviewed the tie-breaking procedure, which gives preference to the team with the most wins against all other tied clubs.
B.C. has a 2-1 season-series advantage over Winnipeg, but hasn't beaten the Riders in two road tries. Winnipeg has the tie-breaking edge on Saskatchewan.
True to form, though, Lions coach Wally Buono isn't getting caught up in the math lesson. A win Saturday and the Lions own the home playoff date, which was put before the franchise as a goal upon Buono's arrival.
Unlike some seasons, home-field advantage would actually mean something to the Lions, who were 5-4 on the road but are 6-2 so far under the dome.
It is why Buono and some of his players have begun to phrase their comments in the form of a sales pitch.
"We need the fans at B.C. Place to get riled up and get us the home-field advantage that they get in Regina," said quarterback Dave Dickenson.
LIONS TALES: TSN has already riled up Saskatchewan fans. The network won't show Saturday's game after the Lions earlier this season declined a request by TSN to move up the start time. ... Concerned that his secondary gave up nearly 300 yards passing against 1-17 Hamilton, Buono will bring in two more defensive backs today.
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