112th Grey Cup Preview: Riders vs Alouettes

Rider/Alouette matchup spurring “13th Man” PTSD flashbacks; Fans request “anxiety zones” in Princess Auto Stadium

We’re all still a little hungover from the 2025 Canadian Football League divisional championship Saturday.

Game 1 had the Montreal Alouettes punch their ticket to the Grey Cup in Winnipeg next weekend on a last-play field goal to defeat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in a defensive battle. Cut to more than three hours later, when the Saskatchewan Roughriders punch in a three-yard rush for a touchdown and a last-minute three point victory for themselves.

All of Saskatchewan heaved a sigh of relief. The offence looked sloppy versus the British Columbia Lions through the opening half. In true Rider fashion, the defence did what it could to keep them in the match and it worked.

Now, the Roughriders and the Alouettes will clash in the ‘Peg more than a decade and a half after they last met for a Cup. Montreal has the nuts right now, carrying two victories in the championship final versus Saskatchewan from 2009 and 2010.

We will not revisit the fiasco that broke the hearts of Greenies throughout the country. I want people to read this shit and The 13th Man is a little sensitive.

In fact, dastardly Winnipeg Blue Bomber fans are poking at Riderville with the proposed construction of “anxiety break rooms” throughout Princess Auto Stadium; shower stall enclosures with banjo-backed Kenny G music playing from headphones hanging on the wall.

Montreal unbeaten in Cup Final vs Sask.

All this to say that, putting history into context, Saskatchewan is due. Their season suggested championship mettle as they almost glided through the regular season to finish 12-6, the best record in the league. Veteran quarterback and pending pension collector Trevor Harris contended with a couple of injury issues, but the team proved balanced and deep.

And at 39, the old rock tosser proved a legitimate power in their comeback victory in the West Division final.

For any chance in the Grey Cup, however, they will need to establish the run early and get that defence to close the short-option that cost them badly versus the Lions.

In Montreal, the Alouettes took a more challenging route to the CFL Final, finishing 10-8 and second in the East Division. The defending champs started 4-1, exploding offensively with former-Rider QB Cody Fajardo's dual-threat abilities and a balanced attack. But injuries and inconsistencies bore a 2-6 skid through Weeks 10-16, dropping them to the East's wild-card pergatory. A late rally was capped by Week 18's elimination of Ottawa and the capture of a sixth consecutive playoff spot.

In the regular-season, the team’s split their visits with Saskatchewan dominating 34-6 in Montreal. The rematch in Regina on September 13 saw the Als erupt for a 48-31 shootout victory.

But it all means nothing on Sunday, Nov. 16. (Cliche #1) It’s a whole new day, a brand new game, an entirely new season and all that bullshit.

Small admission: We may not get to watch the big game due to musical obligations with the cabaret band.

Getting blue-balled on the championship final to rehearse “Fishing in the Dark” for a New Year’s show. Nothing like pickin’ guitar for a livin’.

What are the oddsmakers saying according to Grok?

112th Grey Cup Betting Odds: Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Montreal Alouettes
Venue: Princess Auto Stadium, Winnipeg, MB
Kickoff: 6:00 PM ET
Moneyline
Team                                        Odds        Implied Probability
Montreal Alouettes                    -135                57.4%
Saskatchewan Roughriders      +115                46.5%
Analysis: A $135 bet on Montreal wins $100; a $100 bet on Saskatchewan wins $115. Montreal's odds shifted after their gritty road win over Hamilton, where QB Davis Alexander threw for 384 yards. Saskatchewan's offense exploded in the West Final (led by Trevor Harris), but their defense allowed 24 points.
Point Spread
Team                                        Spread                Odds
Montreal Alouettes                       -2.5                  -110
Saskatchewan Roughriders        +2.5                  -110
Analysis: Montreal is favored by a field goal. Take Montreal -2.5 if you expect their run defense (held Hamilton to 62 rushing yards) to stifle Saskatchewan's ground game. The Riders covered +3.5 in both 2009 and 2010 Grey Cups vs. Montreal but lost outright.
Over/Under
Total Points        Odds
49.5                    -110
Analysis: Lean UNDER in cold Winnipeg weather (forecast: -2°C, possible snow). Both teams' playoff games stayed under 50: Riders 35-24 (59, push at 49.5 would be close), Alouettes 24-21 (45). Historical Grey Cups in sub-zero temps average 42.3 points.

– MCM 

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