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Grey Cup will have home game feeling for Roughriders

Nov 28, 2010 | 10:47 AM

The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes kick off the 98th Grey Cup Sunday evening in a city known for its champions.

The Alouettes come into the game at Edmonton's Commonwealth Stadium as the favourite by a field goal. If the last three games these two teams have played are any indication, this edition of the Grey Cup will be as dramatic as last year’s in Calgary, when the Alouettes defeated the Roughriders 28-27.

This year, the season series between the Als and Riders was a saw-off with a win each and only one point separating the two sides.

“I think we're definitely building up to be a pretty good (rivalry),” said Riders running back Wes Cates. “With the games we've played in the past couple of years, it's definitely building up to be one of the best rivalries in the league.”

The Roughriders will have the home crowd advantage, with thousands from Rider Nation flocking to Edmonton to witness the Riders' third Grey Cup appearance in the last four years.

“We’re not going to be fooled twice, that's for sure,” admitted Alouettes quarterback Anthony Calvillo.

“I definitely underestimated the crowd noise that was going to happen last year and now that there are more people they can fit in this stadium, we definitely anticipate this being a road game for us.”

The green and white fans will be a welcome sight for the Roughriders, who were able to win eight of their 10 home games this season.

Kick off is just after 5:30 p.m. on TSN.