Saskatchewan @ Hamilton preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 5, 2018 ) Hamilton 13, Saskatchewan 18

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats look to exact a measure of revenge when they host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday. The Tiger-Cats dropped an 18-13 decision to Saskatchewan in the first game of a home-and-home set on July 5 before going on a bye, and can take sole possession of first place in the East Division by knocking off the Roughriders for the first time since Aug. 20, 2016.

"This is a first for me, playing the same team twice in a row," Hamilton head coach June Jones told reporters. "We just have to make plays when we have to make plays and get the ball into the end zone." Marcus Thigpen raced untouched for a 34-yard touchdown with 1:29 remaining in the fourth quarter to help Saskatchewan end a two-game skid. Roughriders head coach Chris Jones continued to rotate quarterbacks with Zach Collaros out with a concussion and starter Brandon Bridge will split time with David Watford once again as Saskatchewan hopes to beat Hamilton for the fifth consecutive time. "The only way I can deal with it is not even worry about it," Bridge admitted to reporters. "I can't control if coach Jones wants to take me out and Dave can't control whether he wants to throw him in or take him out."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPN Plus

ABOUT THE ROUGHRIDERS (2-2): Charleston Hughes, who was acquired in trade with Hamilton in the offseason, returned a fumble for a touchdown and recorded his league-leading fifth sack in the win against the Tiger-Cats. Duron Carter, who caught 73 passes for 1,043 yards and eight touchdowns in 2017, will continue to play cornerback until Nick Marshall returns from the six-game injured list (broken finger). Thigpen accounted for 95 yards from scrimmage in his second game back after serving a two-game ban for violating the league's drug policy.

ABOUT THE TIGER-CATS (2-2): Jeremiah Masoli completed 23-of 43 passes for 333 yards against Saskatchewan to match a CFL record with his ninth consecutive 300-yard game, shared by Sam Etcheverry (1956) and Kent Austin (1991). Hamilton added former Ohio State defensive end Jamal Marcus, who spent a portion of 2017 with the Cleveland Browns, to the practice roster on Sunday. Luke Tasker, who caught four passes for 49 yards in the first meeting with Saskatchewan, missed practice with an undisclosed injury and is questionable for Thursday.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Saskatchewan has won three of its last four regular-season road games against East Division opponents.

2. Hamilton WR Brandon Banks has registered three straight 100-yard receiving games.

3. The Roughriders are averaging a West Division-low 19.8 points per game.

PREDICTION: Tiger-Cats 29, Roughriders 19