Winnipeg @ Saskatchewan preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 10, 2016 ) Saskatchewan 10, Winnipeg 17

The Saskatchewan Roughriders look to bounce back from a deflating Week 1 loss when they host the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Mosaic Stadium on Saturday. Saskatchewan was doomed by penalties, turnovers and a missed field goal by Tyler Crapigna as time expired in the 17-16 setback to the Montreal Alouettes, and hopes to cut down on its mistakes to avoid its second 0-2 start in as many years.

"We just have to play smarter," Roughriders coach Chris Jones told reporters. "We took 21 penalties and had three turnovers and it's tough to beat a high school team when you do these things." Winnipeg, which had a Week 1 bye, looks to ride the wave of momentum created by their first playoff appearance in five years. The Blue Bombers won 11 games for the first time since 2003 and there's a sense of optimism floating around Investors Group Field following the addition of defensive end Tristan Okpalaugo, who was named the East Division's Top Rookie in 2014, and the new deals signed by starting quarterback Matt Nichols, wide receiver Clarence Denmark and kicker Justin Medlock. Winnipeg has won the last three meetings with Saskatchewan, including both games in 2016, and hopes to spoil the Canada Day party in Regina.

TV: 9 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPN2

ABOUT THE BLUE BOMBERS (2016: 11-7): Winnipeg re-signed Nichols to a new multi-year deal after the veteran quarterback threw for a career-high 3,666 yards and 18 touchdowns after taking over from Drew Willy as the starting quarterback in Week 6 last season. Running back Andrew Harris had a huge year with his hometown team as he rushed for 974 yards to go along with 631 receiving yards, and wide receiver Weston Dressler caught 80 passes for 1,003 yards despite missing four games through injury, and big things are expected of the duo in 2017. Medlock was named the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player after setting a league record for most field goals in a season with 60.

ABOUT THE ROUGHRIDERS (0-1): Saskatchewan will play its inaugural CFL game at the 33,000-seat new Mosaic Stadium after spending the previous 80 years at Taylor Field. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to open a state of the art stadium in front of our fans," Saskatchewan president Craig Reynolds told reporters. "It's a tie-in with Canada 150 and it's just going to be an absolutely amazing day." Ricky Collins Jr. will be sidelined for a month after suffering a shoulder injury against Montreal and Nic Demski will handle the kickoff return duties while wide receiver Rob Bagg, who missed the season opener, is likely to suit up Saturday.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Blue Bombers have won four of the past five meetings with the Roughriders.

2. Saskatchewan is 2-18 against fellow West Division foes since the start of 2015.

3. Nichols was 10-3 as the starting quarterback in 2016.

PREDICTION: Roughriders 24, Blue Bombers 22