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So we now know the Calgary Stampeders will finish first in the West Division and will have the honour of hosting the Western Final.
Who Calgary faces in that Nov. 19 playoff contest at McMahon Stadium depends on who wins the Western Semi-Final the week before. And who plays in the semi-final depends on what happens in the final two weeks of the regular season.
As things stand now, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are the favourites to host the Western Semi-Final on Nov. 12. The Bombers are currently in second place with an 11-5 record and hold the tie-breaker advantage on both of their pursuers – the Edmonton Eskimos (10-6) and Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-7).
One more Winnipeg win or an Edmonton loss would wrap up second place for the Blue Bombers. Winnipeg concludes the regular season with a home game against BC and a visit to the Stampeders. The Eskimos play host to Calgary before travelling to Saskatchewan.
If Edmonton can’t catch Winnipeg for second place, the Eskimos’ Week 20 tilt with Saskatchewan could very well determine who finishes third in the West and face the Bombers in the Western Semi-Final and who crosses over into the East Division playoffs.
The Roughriders won the first meeting with Edmonton by 23 points, which stacks the tie-breaker odds in Saskatchewan’s favour should the teams finish with the same record.
Saskatchewan can only finish third or fourth. Even if the Riders win out and the Bombers lose their final two games to give the teams matching 11-7 records, Winnipeg holds the tie-breaker advantage by virtue of having won the season series with Saskatchewan.
The Bombers also get the nod if Winnipeg, Edmonton and Saskatchewan finish in a three-way tie.
Winnipeg (11-5)
Remaining games: vs. BC, at Cgy.
Can finish: 2nd or 3rd
Edmonton (10-6)
Remaining games: vs. Cgy, at Ssk.
Can finish: 2nd, 3rd or 4th
Saskatchewan (9-7)
Remaining games: vs. Mtl, vs. Edm.
Can finish: 3rd or 4th
Tie-breakers
Edmonton vs. Winnipeg: Blue Bombers won season series
Winnipeg vs. Saskatchewan: Blue Bombers won season series
Saskatchewan vs. Edmonton: Roughriders won first meeting by 23 points; one more meeting to come
Three-way tie: Winnipeg gets second place, Saskatchewan gets third place, Edmonton gets fourth place