5 issues to observe for because the B.C. Lions look to two-time the Edmonton Elks

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The B.C. Lions headed to Edmonton on Friday as one of the best within the West. They’re 4-0 towards each divisional opponent for the primary time since 2005, and are heavy favourites to beat the Elks on Saturday and make Edmonton the primary two-time losers to the Leos this season.

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Right here’s 5 storylines to observe for.

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NEXT GAME

B.C. Lions (5-1) at Edmonton Elks (0-7)

4 p.m. PT, Saturday Commonwealth Stadium

TV: TSN Radio: AM730, AM580 (Punjabi)

THE STREAK

It’ll be the headline till it isn’t: the Elks dreaded dropping streak at Commonwealth Stadium.

The doubtful slide is now as much as 20. Shedding Saturday would set a brand new report for the large 4 professional sports activities in North America (NHL, MLB, NBA, NFL).

“Clearly, everybody’s absolutely conscious of their streak … however we simply wish to be us. We have now a anonymous, faceless opponent,” mentioned B.C. QB Dane Evans. “We simply wish to go in there and be one of the best offence that we may be.”

Edmonton hasn’t gained at house since their identify change to the Elks (7-32 general). Sarcastically, the staff they’re tied with for many consecutive house losses, the St. Louis Browns, snapped their streak once they grew to become the Baltimore Orioles the next yr.

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Over within the right-leaning province of Alberta, the Elks’ identify change has been a polarizing challenge, demonized as a “woke mob” challenge and regularly cited as — clearly — the explanation for staff’s dropping methods. There may be a lot finger-pointing and teeth-gnashing between wads of dip over the efficiency of coach Chris Jones, who conveniently led the staff to its final Gray Cup victory (2015) and gained three extra as an assistant with three totally different CFL groups since 2002.

“How does Chris Jones nonetheless have a job? How do you count on to develop a fragile model when everyone seems to be asleep on the wheel? It’s stunning what has turn into of this staff,” learn one letter to the editor within the Edmonton Solar this week.

“It began with the woke altering of the identify. And a coach from the usA. that has zero clue about Edmonton, not to mention no need to be right here aside from to gather a payday.”

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The dissatisfaction has been mirrored within the Elks attendance, though it needs to be famous that is additionally a problem affecting a number of different CFL groups.

The Elkskimos, as a small sect of vocal followers on social media name them, bought 32,233 followers for his or her opener, boosting their general quantity this season to 24,741 by three video games. That’s up 1,000 over final season, however each numbers are the group’s lowest averages since 1974.

“We have now followers which can be upset with us as a result of they need us to do higher,” mentioned Elks CEO Victor Cui, who got here on board in January 2022.

“We wish to do higher. I count on us to do higher. The coaches count on us to do higher. That is what we’ve bought to ship.”

DEPTH CHARGES

Vernon Adams Jr. was knocked out of final week’s recreation with a knee harm, and can miss Saturday’s date. No downside; it’s Evans time.

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Taquan (Smoke) Mizzell was main the league in yards per carry earlier than a knee harm compelled him to the sidelines. No downside; in stepped the electrical elf, Shaun Shivers.

Dominque Rhymes, the league’s receiving landing chief, is out for Saturday. Queue up the playbook for Alex Hollins and Justin McInnis.

Even when accidents have taken out key gamers, the Lions depth has allowed them to climate the storm.

“I’ve by no means been anyplace the place we had depth like this,” mentioned Evans.

“It’s fairly distinctive, fairly particular to have guys that may simply step in and there’s no drop in play at any place. To have the ability to do this and hold this prepare rolling I feel is large — and a testomony to these guys that once they must step up, their character and their professionalism (has them) able to go. That’s what professional soccer is about.”

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LAST TIME OUT

When the Lions and Elks met at B.C. Place in Week 2, historic moments have been made — each doubtful and spectacular. The 22-0 Lions win was the primary B.C. shutout since they blanked the Argonauts 30-0 at Empire Area on Aug. 23, 1977. It was additionally the primary time Edmonton was shut out since 1976.

It was a dominant exhibiting by the Lions’ defence, even towards a staff averaging a CFL-low 15 ppg, however Lions coach Rick Campbell doesn’t wish to deal with that.

“Don’t speak them up an excessive amount of. Allow them to do their factor,” he mentioned of his defence.

“They’re doing an important job. They’re a giant cause why we’ve gained lots of our video games and I actually like the way in which they’re taking part in as a unit. It’s not a one- or two-man present. It’s all 12 guys … and our complete teaching employees functioning collectively. Humble and hungry is what we wish to be on defence.”

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POP-GUN OFFENCE OCCASIONALLY POPS OFF

The Elks’ lack of offence, which ranks within the backside one or two of nearly each class, has been coated extensively. However Edmonton can also catch groups out; of the 5 longest performs from scrimmage this season, the Elks have three of them — together with the highest 1 and a pair of.

Wideout Eugene Lewis had a 102-yard TD reception towards the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 1. Two video games later, Canadian Vincent Forbes-Mombleau had an 84-yard rating versus Toronto, whereas Dillon Mitchell’s first TD of the yr got here on an 80-yard catch-and-run towards the Bombers.

RADIO HISTORY

Saturday’s recreation will probably be broadcast on Richmond-based Sher-E-Punjab radio (AM600), the primary Punjabi broadcast in CFL historical past. The published staff will characteristic the Hockey Night time In Canada Punjabi duo of Harpreet Pandher and Taqdeer Thindal, each of whom have been born and raised within the Decrease Mainland. Pandher’s father was a Lions season-ticket holder and, in a full-circle second, his first CFL reminiscence is a recreation towards Edmonton in 1986.

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