The Corbett Report, September 9, 2023

Introduction

Last week’s outcome should come as no surprise to anyone.  After all, as has been said many times, the Labour Day Classic is a beast unto itself.  Heading into the 2023 edition of the game, the Riders were 37-20 in Labour Day Classics dating back to 1949.  What’s more notable is that, of the 37 losses that the Bombers had against the Riders on Labour Day, a total of 19 of them occurred when the Bombers came into the game with a record better than the Riders.  So although they entered last week’s game with a 9-2 record compared to the Riders 5-5, a victory was hardly guaranteed. In fact, that’s why the Corbett Report predicted a 32- 21 Rider victory.

Labour Day is last week’s news. This week, it’s the Banjo Bowl, where the Bombers have faired much better than they have in Regina.  Although the history is much shorter (banjos weren’t invented until 2004), the Bombers have come away winners more often than not.  Overall, their record in the Banjo Bowl is 11-7 but more notable is that the Bombers have won 6 of the last 7 against their stubble-jumpin’ neighbours from Saskatchewan.  It’s tough to win back-to-back games in any sport and it’s particularly tough in football.  That’s why the smart money this week is trending to Blue.

Welcome to week 14. Welcome to the Corbett Report.

Standings

Team	GP	W	L	Pts	Pts for	Pts Against
West
Winnipeg	12	9	3	0	18	374	257
BC	12	8	4	0	16	309	242
Saskatchewan	11	6	5	0	12	242	302
Calgary	12	4	8	0	8	283	325
Edmonton	12	2	10	0	4	219	315
East
Toronto	10	9	1	0	18	348	234
Montreal	11	6	5	0	12	266	260
Hamilton	11	4	7	0	8	228	302
Ottawa	11	3	8	0	6	251	283

Three wins in a row have the Riders moving up in the standings.  A bit early to plan that Grey Cup parade up Albert Street though, isn’t it?

Bombers

Last week the Bombers lost a nailbiter 32-30 in overtime.  The game could have gone either way and had it not been for a few key misses by Collaros (particularly in the 1^st quarter) the Bombers could have easily walked away with a victory.  Offensively and defensively, they matched up nicely against the Riders.  They’ll need to do that again to garner a victory in Banjo Bowl XVIX. 

What does need to improve is the punt return game.  Janarion Grant was looking hopeful to return this week but that’s not happening.  Greg McCrae and Jamal Parker as Grant’s replacement just haven’t gotten it done.  Parker’s longest return last week was 12 yards, less than half of what his counterpart on the Riders (Mario Alford) had.  The inadequacies of the Bombers’ punt return game in Grant’s absence this year has often been covered up by the stellar play of the offense.  Last week that wasn’t the case.  Who the Bombers put back to return punts likely won’t be known until the roster is finalized on Friday.  What we do know is that McCrae has been moved to the practice roster, so it won’t be him.

Another takeaway from last week was the play of Zach Collaros.  He completed just two passes in the first half and seemed anything but his normal calm, cool and collected self.  I’m thinking that he’s going to have a bounceback week this week.  In fact, if I were the Saskatchewan defence, I’d be afraid, I’d be very afraid.

Riders

The Riders aren’t going to go anywhere unless there’s a change at the helm.  The club’s reaction to the Pete Robertson head butt against Collaros was ridiculous.  Had a Bomber done that, I’d suggest that the club wouldn’t have waited for the league to hand down discipline; that player would have been pulled from the game and suspended by the team.  The Bombers under O’Shea are a disciplined and professional group.  Under Dickenson, the Riders, not so much.

That being said, the Riders are on a 3-game win streak with two of those wins being against the Lions and the Bombers so I suppose that there might be some talent on the team.  What’s been most impressive during that streak has been the play of third string quarterback Jake Dolegala. He’s completed 60% of his passes and has an impressive 4-1 TD-Int ratio.  The Bombers surely didn’t see that coming when they lined up last Sunday.  They’d better be prepared for the rematch.

Keys to the game

For the Bombers to win

• Come back Zach! Looking for a bounceback game for Collaros
• Oliveria – “running back to Saskatoon”
• Win the turnover battle

For the Riders to win

• Score early – have the lead at the half
• Pressure the Bombers QB
• Get a punt return for a TD

Corbett report record

CFL Overall                33 out of 51 (65%)

Bomber games            10 out of 12 (83%)

The predictions

Bombers play in the middle of a triple header on Saturday.  In other games this week, take:

Ottawa over Hamilton (Hamilton QB woes continue)         

Toronto over Montreal (Farjardo gets sacked too many times)                    

Edmonton over Calgary (they came close last week – this week they’ll seal the deal)   

And in Winnipeg:

The Bombers have won the last 3 Banjo Bowls by a combined score of 122-39.  Not looking for that dominant a performance this year, but in the end it’ll be:

Bombers 33 Riders 19

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