WHO KNOWS WHAT TO EXPECT

By Rob Vanstone, Leader-PostSeptember 11, 2009


REGINA — Wondering who will win the Banjo Bowl? Flip a coin.

Logically, the Saskatchewan Roughriders should defeat the host Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Sunday. After all, Saskatchewan entered this week's action in a tie with the Edmonton Eskimos and Calgary Stampeders for first place in the CFL's West Division — albeit with an unremarkable 5-4 record.

The Bombers, by contrast, are staggering along at 3-6. This is a team that somehow failed to execute the coin toss prior to last weekend's Labour Day Classic in Regina. Considering such gaffes, it is difficult to be excessively flip in assessing the Blue Bumblers.

But there is also precedent to consider. This is the 13th time that the Roughriders and Blue Bombers have met in a home-and-home set that opens on Taylor Field. Before this season, Saskatchewan won 10 of the openers, but on seven occasions lost the following week in Winnipeg.

There is also the Michael Bishop factor. After the Riders won 29-14 on Sunday, Bishop predicted that "we're going to whoop their ass next week.''

Keep in mind that the prediction was made by someone who is not renowned for his accuracy. Bishop is known for unfurling throws that leave mascots, cheerleaders and fans ducking.
So what is deterring me from predicting that he will regret his prediction?

Again, there is the Bishop factor. When he is behind centre, you never, ever know. The notoriously erratic Bishop is capable of throwing the football from here to Moosomin — although he might be aiming for Moose Jaw.

But the pendulum swings both ways. That is why Bishop has enjoyed an extended shelf life as a CFL passer. He teases fans and coaches with his talents, which surface often enough to burn the occasional opponent.

Roughriders fans can attest to that. Just last year, for example, denizens of the Rider Nation saw the best and worst of Bishop — often within the same game.
Banjo Bowl '08 was a classic example.

Entering the fourth quarter, Saskatchewan was trailing 31-14. A Bombers victory seemed more automatic than an obligatory reference to Kent Austin, Joey Walters or Henry Burris.

But then the other Michael Bishop surfaced. He guided the Roughriders to 20 unanswered fourth-quarter points and a 34-31 victory, finishing with 24 completions in 30 attempts, 370 aerial yards, and three touchdown passes — twice out-throwing the coverage while finding Weston Dressler in the end zone.

In adherence to tradition, Bishop regressed just as quickly as he impressed, leading to a quarterbacking carousel that also included Darian Durant (who is to make his 10th consecutive start on Sunday) and Steven Jyles.

Roughriders head coach Ken Miller eventually settled on Bishop as the starter for the playoffs, following another eruption. During the regular-season finale against the Toronto Argonauts, Bishop piloted the Roughriders to 28 fourth-quarter points and a 45-38 victory. The conquest helped the Roughriders secure a second consecutive home playoff game, in which Bishop was brutal. Two days later, he was released.

Bishop returned to the CFL after pastrami-armed Stefan LeFors proved incapable of leading the Winnipeg offence to anything but frustration.

True to form, the two sides of Bishop have been on display during his brief tenure with the Bombers. Last Sunday, for example, he threw for 329 yards — including a laser of an 18-yard TD toss to Adarius Bowman — but was also intercepted three times. And then, of course, there was the matter of the coin flip. In some forums, Bishop has been identified as the Winnipeg player who bungled a supposedly routine task.

The coin caper has provided fodder for more than a few wisecracks in recent days. This may be an ominous sign, considering the background of Bishop and the history of home-and-home sets featuring Saskatchewan and Winnipeg.

On two occasions — in 1991 and 1995 — Saskatchewan has scorched Winnipeg for 56 points on Taylor Field, only to inexplicably lose the following week in the Manitoba capital.

Also consider this: In a bizarre year such as this, when virtually nothing in the CFL unfolds as anticipated, how can anyone be confident in anything?

Mind you, Bishop sounded confident while hazarding a prediction. And if he is on, all bets are off.

rvanstone@leaderpost.canwest.com