By paNOW Staff

Saskatchewan Roughriders ready to battle the B.C. Lions in the West semi-final

Nov 13, 2010 | 1:25 PM

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are set to battle the B.C. Lions in the West semi-final.

The Lions come in hot winning seven of their last 10 games to sneak into the playoffs.

The Riders are coming off a regular season finale win over Edmonton to halt a four game losing streak, so they also have some momentum heading into the one game and done scenario.

And what helps is the Riders will have the support of the home field crowd with 30,000 plus fans sounding more like 60,000 plus.

That should help in disrupting B.C. quarterback Travis Lulay who is making his first ever CFL playoff start.

Court proceedings

'The impact of this trauma will echo for generations': court case surrounding La Ronge woman's death reaches conclusion

3h ago

Going Global

P.A.'s Zablocki named to Team Canada for U18 Women's World Championships

3h ago

Election 2024

Birch Hills staff won't share election decision

4h ago

Quarterback Darian Durant knows what he hopes to see from the rookie pivot.

“Hopefully about four picks (interceptions) and a couple of fumbles,” said Durant with a smile. “I really want our defense to get after him and make it tough on him. They're really not going to be able to audible with the crowd noise, so give him different looks, disguise things and make it tough on him.”

One player who hopes to make life tough on Lulay is linebacker Barrin Simpson, but whether he gets that chance remains to be seen.

He's still being bothered by an ankle injury and says it'll be a game time decision.

“It's still one of those things as to, can I help the team, or will I hurt the team?” said Simpson. “That's what it comes down to. Will I be able to go enough to help the team and not hurt the team?”

Head coach Ken Miller tells us how they will come to a decision if Simpson plays or not.

“Really, we base the decision on his health and how he feels,” said Miller. “And then we look at whether I feel he can make a contribution based on the information he gives me. He'll have to be able to run full speed and do the physical demands that the rigorous middle linebacker position has to perform.”

So it's down to winner takes all. The regular season records thrown out the window. The winner moves on to face the Calgary Stampeders in the West final. And that's all both teams could ask for. A chance to move one step closer to capturing the Grey Cup.

Kick off is at 3:30 p.m. You can also catch the game on TSN.