Game 13 preview: SSK @ MTL

By Richard Obrand,
MontrealAlouettes.com

Montreal – Despite showing the CFL’s media pundits that they can indeed both compete with and beat teams from the CFL’s rough and tough West Division, Anthony Calvillo and the Alouettes still find themselves as supposed underdogs as they prepare for their Sunday matinee matchup with the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Percival Molson Stadium.

In hosting the defending Grey Cup champion Riders (8-4-0), the Als will need to contain a vibrant Saskatchewan offence led by either Michael Bishop or Darian Durant, and blow past a strong defence which has kept the champs on top of the West Division all season.

The Als proved in last week’s dismantling of the Edmonton Eskimos, however, that they can do both.

Calvillo racked up 414 yards while Jamel Richardson, Ben Cahoon and Kerry Watkins all broke 100 yards receiving last week en route to a 40-4 win over the Esks in front of an 84th-straight sellout crowd at Percival Molson Stadium.

The Alouette defence also continued its strong play by forcing five turnovers in the win.

This week, Montreal plays host to the Roughriders for the first time this season, as it looks to avenge a Week 4 loss in Regina which saw the Als blow a two-point lead in the fourth quarter for just their second loss of the season.

Since then, however, coach Marc Trestman and the Als have been turning heads around the league, going 5-2-0 and amassing 290 points in the process.

The Riders, on the other hand, have been slipping.

Losers of four of their last six matchups, this week could prove to be make-or-break for the Roughriders in the fight for first in a very tight and talented West Division.

Last week saw Bishop complete just six pass attempts for 105 yards before being pulled in favour of backup Durant.

On the injury front, Alouettes’ running back Avon Cobourne’s status is still uncertain for Sunday, as he continues to nurse an injured ankle suffered in Week 10.