Ottawa @ Saskatchewan preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 29, 2017 ) Saskatchewan 18, Ottawa 17

The Saskatchewan Roughriders look to continue their playoff push when they host the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday. The Roughriders have won six of their last eight games, including a 27-24 thriller against the East Division-leading Toronto Argonauts, to move into a third-place tie with the Edmonton Eskimos in the West and hope to stay on track for their first postseason berth since 2014 by beating the Redblacks for the second time in three weeks.

Saskatchewan coach Chris Jones revealed that Kevin Glenn will remain the starting quarterback despite Brandon Bridge coming off the bench in the second quarter to lead the Roughriders to their second straight victory. Ottawa erased a 19-point third-quarter deficit en route to a vital 30-25 victory against the BC Lions to move within one point of Toronto in the race for first place in the East. The Redblacks were buoyed by the return of star quarterback Trevor Harris, who missed the previous three games with a shoulder injury, as he threw for 380 yards against the Lions and the defending Grey Cup champions hope to grab the division lead by avenging an 18-17 home defeat to the Roughriders on Sept. 29. "It's one of those deals where right now is the time for us to start turning it up and playing better down the stretch," Harris told reporters. "If we win and Toronto loses then we're back in first place."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, TSN

ABOUT THE REDBLACKS (6-9-1): Harris went 28-of-38 through the air with three touchdowns passes, including a pair to Greg Ellingson, who finished with seven catches for 149 yards against BC. Wide receiver/kick returner Diontae Spencer continues to be a playmaker on offence as he added three receptions for 116 yards and a touchdown while Brad Sinopoli made three catches for 20 yards against the Lions to surpass 1,000 yards receiving for the third consecutive season. Ellingson leads the CFL in receiving yards (1,381) and touchdowns (10) while Sinopoli tops the league in receptions (91).

ABOUT THE ROUGHRIDERS (8-6): Bridge completed 20-of-28 passes for 292 yards and two touchdowns in place of Glenn, who was benched after going 3-of-8 for 29 yards against Toronto. "Whoever is out there we support them," Bridge told reporters. "Kevin Glenn supported me and I support him and he wasn't sulking he was a true pro and I have so much respect for him." Former Alabama Crimson Tide star Trent Richardson, who was selected third overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2012 NFL Draft, rushed for 20 yards on five carries in his CFL debut against the Argonauts.

EXTRA POINTS

1. The Roughriders have won five straight games against East Division opponents.

2. Ottawa RB William Powell has rushed for 530 yards in his last four games.

3. Saskatchewan DB Ed Gainey leads the CFL with eight interceptions.

PREDICTION: Roughriders 27, Redblacks 26