The B.C. Lions host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Friday night in a contest that will decide the season series and has second place in the West Division at stake. B.C. is 7-6 and Saskatchewan is 8-5, with both teams holding 4-3 records against West Division opponents. If they finish with identical overall records, the season-series winner will hold the tiebreaker.

B.C.’s path to contention began after a difficult start. The Lions lost their first three games and five of their first six, but have since won six of seven, including a 48-29 home victory over the Montreal Alouettes on Sept. 12. They will face a Saskatchewan defence that has performed well despite a rash of injuries.

The Lions lead the CFL in net yards at 427.7 per game, rushing at 121.3 yards and time of possession at 31 minutes 44 seconds. They rank second in passing, averaging 322.5 yards per game. B.C. has built much of its offence around that balance as it tries to break down a unit that has allowed a league-low 31 offensive touchdowns and the second-fewest offensive points, at 25.1 per game.

Quarterback Nathan Rourke, last season’s top Canadian and outstanding player, has thrown for 3,476 yards, fifth among CFL quarterbacks, with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. His 71.1 per cent completion rate ranks second, behind Montreal’s Davis Alexander at 71.4 per cent. Rourke has run 20 times, averaging 12.3 yards per attempt, and scored three rushing touchdowns.

B.C. also has running backs Zander Horvath and James Butler. Horvath has gained 723 yards at an average of 5.1 per carry and leads the CFL with 16 rushing touchdowns. Butler has 393 yards at 4.6 per carry and four touchdowns, giving the Lions additional options on the ground.

Saskatchewan enters after a 19-6 loss to Winnipeg on Sept. 12. The Roughriders’ offence managed two field goals, while Bombers safety Redha Kramdi forced a first-half fumble and sealed the victory with a fourth-quarter interception. Saskatchewan quarterback Trevor Harris completed 24 of 45 passes for 231 yards and threw an interception. The offence converted four of 22 second-down opportunities and had five giveaways: two fumbles, one interception and two turnovers on downs.

Harris, 40, has otherwise put together another solid season. He has completed 69.3 per cent of his passes for 4,124 yards, fourth-best in the league, with 24 touchdown throws and 12 interceptions. Saskatchewan has allowed 19 sacks, fewer than every team except Montreal, which has allowed 12. Running back A.J. Ouellette and receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker, both dealing with knee injuries, were full participants in practice, offering the Riders possible reinforcements. Saskatchewan has lost its last three road games, but would clinch a playoff berth with a win combined with losses by Winnipeg and Calgary this week.

The Canadian Press’s Sept. 23 report also previewed three other games. On Friday night in Winnipeg, the Toronto Argonauts visit the Blue Bombers. Winnipeg will start Dru Brown at quarterback in place of Zach Collaros, who is out with a head injury. Brown threw for 339 yards, one touchdown and one interception in a 30-21 win over Toronto in July.

Toronto is 8-6 and has won three straight, earning a home playoff game with a 24-19 decision over Edmonton last week. Chad Kelly completed 19 passes for 373 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions in that game. Cornerback Tarvarus McFadden is out with a hand injury. Winnipeg, 7-6, has CFL rushing leader Brady Oliveira, who has 1,084 yards. Toronto ranks eighth in rushing at 76.1 yards per game, while receiver Damonte Coxie leads a capable group with 67 catches, 1,111 yards and six touchdowns. The report picked Toronto to win.

On Saturday afternoon in Ottawa, the 6-8 Calgary Stampeders face the winless Redblacks, who are 0-13. Calgary beat Ottawa 40-38 last week at McMahon Stadium on Rene Paredes’s 62-yard walk-off field goal. Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 357 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while Deonta McMahon ran for 102 yards at 6.8 per carry. Veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson is expected to make his second consecutive start for Ottawa after throwing for 379 yards and five touchdowns last week.

The teams’ defences have allowed the most offensive yards, points and touchdowns in the league. Ottawa has committed a league-high 40 turnovers, compared with Calgary’s 23, while the Stampeders rank third in points scored off opponents’ turnovers, with 100. The report forecast another high-scoring game and picked Calgary.

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats visit the Edmonton Elks on Saturday night. Edmonton, 10-4, is looking to rebound from last week’s loss in Toronto. Cody Fajardo completed 31 of 42 passes for 360 yards and scored the offence’s only touchdown, but threw two interceptions. Edmonton’s defence intercepted Kelly twice while also allowing 373 passing yards and two touchdowns on 19 completions.

Hamilton, 4-10, is expected to start Harrison Frost again after he played the entire game in last week’s 37-25 home loss to Montreal, despite Canadian quarterback Tre Ford being available. The Tiger-Cats would be eliminated from playoff contention if they lose and Calgary wins, or if they lose while Winnipeg and B.C. both win. Either outcome would confirm a crossover. The report picked Edmonton. Its forecasts last week were correct in two of three games, bringing its overall record to 41-20.

Based on reporting by Global News Edmonton.