The Corbett Report, September 12, 2015

Once a year, in the middle of the season, the CFL schedule includes an intriguing mini-series that becomes an event onto itself. Regardless of the participants’ records, a prairie rivalry is reborn. A mini Grey Cup if you will. It used to be just the Labour Day Classic, but in recent years it’s turned into the back-to-back series between the Riders and Bombers. LDC on the Labour Day weekend and the Banjo Bowl rematch. The series often defies the records of the two teams, as in 2011 when the 7-1 Bombers were upset at the LDC by the 1-7 Riders. It’s a rivalry with deep roots and a deep history that epitomizes the best that the CFL has to offer. Two sold out games, two groups of passionate fans, sometimes even great football and always, a diminished watermelon inventory.

Welcome to the Banjo Bowl. Welcome to the Corbett report.

Standings

			WEST
Team	Wins	Losses	Pts	For	Against	Streak
Calgary	8	2	16	271	197	5 Wins
Edmonton	6	4	12	245	181	1 Loss
BC	4	5	8	204	250	1 Win
Winnipeg	3	7	6	187	310	4 Losses
Sask	1	9	2	255	313	1 Win
			EAST
Team	Wins	Losses	Pts	For	Against	Streak
Hamilton	7	3	14	357	194	1 Win
Toronto	6	4	12	250	287	2 Losses
Ottawa	5	4	10	193	241	1 Win
Montreal	4	6	8	207	196	1 Loss

I’ll do the math for you. The Riders have scored 68 more points than the Bombers but have allowed 3 more. Clearly the key to this game is the Bombers D vs. the Riders O.

Just another game? I totally get the concept that during an 18 game season all games are equally important. That a win in week one is the same as a win in week eighteen. I get the concept, I just don’t buy it. Which headline would you rather see on Monday: 4 – 7 Bombers playoff hopes still alive Or 3 – 8 Bombers fire Mike O’Shea, look to rebuild
This game is a pivotal point in the Bomber season. Lose this one and the season is basically lost. Win and maybe there’s still hope.

The Bombers

When Drew Willy went down the Bombers’ fortunes fell to Brian Brohm and Robert Marve.   Robert Marve got the first chance but now he’s out for the season. Brohm was somewhat underwhelming last week in leading the Bombers to a paltry 8 points. So enter Matt Nichols. The eighth quarter back in eight years to start the Banjo Bowl. He follows:

• 2008: Glenn
• 2009: Bishop
• 2010: Jyles
• 2011: Pierce
• 2012: Elliott
• 2013: Goltz
• 2014: Willy

Nichols’ arrival gives some hope to the Bomber offense. As a starter with Edmonton this year he has more wins than the Bombers (he won 5 games to the Bombers’ 3), however he fell out of favour in Edmonton because he started to throw the ball to players in another uniform.

This game though, isn’t going to be won by the Bomber offense. It’s on the defensive side of the ball that the victory needs to be secured. That and get rid of the stupid penalties and the one screw up per game that the special teams have been serving up.

The Riders

No doubt a large contingent of fans will be making the annual trek to Winnipeg to watch the Riders this week. They’re a bit giddy now that they have their first victory. But let’s face it, without a legit starting QB this team is hardly a contender. Last week was an emotional victory before their newly installed head coach but I can’t suggest that it was a turning point for them. Last week they won the Labour Day Classic, but hey, they’ve been doing that every year since 2004. The Banjo Bowl? Not such a sure thing. Since it’s inception in 2004 the games have been pretty evenly split with Sask having a 6-5 edge.

Keys to the Game

With more than just a few green jerseys in the stands the Bombers need to start off strong. Not so much on offense (strong Bomber offense – isn’t that an oxymoron?) but on defense. Rattle Smith early and get some momentum. If the Riders score first it could be a long and annoying afternoon. Another suggestion? Control the needless penalties!

For the Riders, it comes down to confidence. Keep the game close and build confidence as the game goes along and rattle the Bombers who have their own confidence issues after losing 4 games in a row.

Things you’re likely to hear (or not ) at IGF on Saturday

So I know that Bomber fans are bummed about this season, annoyed at the team, disenchanted at the results, but hey, it really is just a game and just a source of entertainment and that above all else is what the Banjo Bowl is about. So here are a few quips that you might (or might not) hear at IGF on Saturday:

From the Announcer:

“Could the owner of the combine with Saskatchewan license plate number GORIDERS please move your vehicle, you’re blocking the beer line”

In the beer line (heard from a Rider fan):

“Damn, all they serve is Merlot, I had my heart set on a Shiraz”

In the Stands:

“Excuse me ma’am, your watermelon is dripping on my lap”

From Buzz to Gainer the Gopher:

“Oh yeah?? Well at least I don’t have to go sleep in a hole at night”

From a Bomber fan to a Rider fan:

“See you on November 30^th for a rematch”

From a Rider fan (to no one in particular):

“Wow, I can’t believe it, their Jumbotron is in colour”

From the Announcer”:

“and that’s another Winnipeg FIRST DOWN”

Corbett Report Prediction Record

Last week’s record:             League 3 – 1,            Bomber games 1 – 0

Season record:                    League 29 – 15,      Bomber games 7 – 3

The Prediction

Last game:   Stamps 35 Bombers 25

Actual:            Stamps 36 Bombers 8

I’m not holding out much hope this year that the Bombers are going to be playing at home in their Grey Cup but I do have some hope this week. Look for Matt Nichols to provide a much-needed spark to the Bombers offence. In the end it’ll be:

Bombers 25      Riders 22

Elsewhere: Hamilton over Toronto, Calgary over Edmonton and BC over Ottawa

CHEERS!