CFL Picks, Week 17: Lions host Roughriders in key West Division clash

CFL Picks, Week 17: Lions host Roughriders in key West Division clash DAN RALPH THE CANADIAN PRESS PUBLISHED 1 HOUR AGO Open this photo in gallery: B.C. Lions' quarterback Nathan Rourke (12) hands the ball off to Zander Horvath (34) during their game against the Montreal Alouettes in Montreal earlier this month. PETER MCCABE/THE CANADIAN PRESS COMMENTS SHARE SAVE FOR LATER Listen to this article Learn more about audio Log in or create a free account to listen to this article. It’s been a long way back for Nathan Rourke and the B.C. Lions. B.C. opened its season by losing its first three games and five-of-six overall. But since then, B.C. (7-6) has reeled off six wins in seven contests, including a 48-29 home win over the Montreal Alouettes on Sept. 12. On Friday night, B.C. hosts the Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-5) in a battle for second in the West Division. The winner also claims the season series, which is the tiebreaker should the two finish with identical records. B.C.’s offence leads the CFL in net yards (427.7 per game), rushing (121.3) and time of possession (31 minutes 44 seconds) and is second in passing (322.5). Rourke, last season’s top Canadian and outstanding player, is fifth among league quarterbacks (3,476 passing yards) with 16 touchdowns and 10 interceptions but his 71.1 per cent completion average is second only to Montreal’s Davis Alexander (71.4 per cent). Rourke has only rushed 20 times this season, but sports a stellar 12.3-yard average per attempt with three TDs. However, the Lions don’t really needed Rourke to run with Zander Horvath (723 yards, 5.1-yard average, CFL-high 16 rushing TDs) and James Butler (393 yards, 4.6-yard average, four TDs) in the backfield. Saskatchewan’s defence should present a good test, though. It has allowed a CFL-low 31 offensive TDs and is ranked second in fewest offensive points allowed (25.1 per game) despite a rash of injuries. And the unit couldn’t really be faulted for Saskatchewan’s 19-6 loss to Winnipeg on Sept. 12. Bombers safety Redha Kramdi forced a first-half fumble then sealed the win with a fourth-quarter interception as the Riders’ offence managed just two field goals in the contest. The good news, though, is help could be on the way. Running back A.J. Ouellette (knee) and receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker (knee) were both full participants in practice. Veteran Riders quarterback Trevor Harris, 40, is enjoying another solid campaign, having completed 69.3 per cent of his passing…