Grey Cup preview: What you need to know about Blue Bombers vs. Argos  | Sports News

For the primary time because the well-known 1950 Mud Bowl on the previous Varsity Stadium on the campus of the College of Toronto, the Toronto Argonauts will sq. off with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers within the Gray Cup on Sunday in Regina. 

The 72-year wait marks the longest steady hole for a Gray Cup between conventional East and West groups, although that comes with an asterisk because the Blue Bombers have switched divisions over time. 

Nonetheless, it’s enjoyable to see a novel matchup within the 109^th version of the nationwide championship after the Blue Bombers beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats prior to now two CFL title tilts. 

Here’s a capsule have a look at the sport. 

Extra from Sportsnet

How the Blue Bombers can beat the Argos and win a 3rd consecutive Gray Cup

What Argonauts must do vs. Blue Bombers to tug off Gray Cup upset

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The schedule 

Sunday, 6 p.m. ET / 3 p.m. PT at Mosaic Stadium in Regina 

The road

The Blue Bombers have been favoured by 5.5 factors on FanDuel as of Saturday. 

At stake

Historical past. The Blue Bombers (16-3) can develop into the primary crew to win three Gray Cups in a row since Edmonton captured 5 straight from 1978 to ’82. Solely three groups have gained greater than two Gray Cups in a row because the Second World Struggle. 

The Argos (12-7), in the meantime, carry a CFL file win streak in Gray Cup video games into the competition – having gained six in a row through which they’ve performed. They’re additionally 6-0 in opposition to the Bombers in Gray Cup video games. 

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Pre-game and halftime 

Teagan Littlechief, who’s from White Bear First Nation in southeastern Saskatchewan, will carry out O Canada in three languages – English, French and Cree. 

The halftime present has a rustic flavour – Josh Ross, together with Jordan Davis and Tyler Hubbard of Florida Georgia Line. 

The climate

Must be simply fantastic. The excessive Sunday evening is -4 C with no snow and winds of 17 km/h. 

The season collection 

The Blue Bombers gained the one assembly between the groups, edging the Argos 23-22 at BMO Subject in Toronto on July 4. 

Toronto’s Boris Bede missed a convert with 25 seconds left, denying what seemingly would have been additional time. 

The Argos had 398 yards of offence to Winnipeg’s 266, however the Argos dedicated three extra turnovers (4-1). 

Playoff historical past

The Blue Bombers have been nearly unbeatable since buying star quarterback Zach Collaros in a late-season commerce with the out-of-contention Argos in 2019. 

All Collaros has finished is flip round his profession, main the Bombers to 2 Gray Cups. 

The Blue Bombers beat the visiting B.C. Lions 28-20 in final week’s West ultimate. 

The Argos fell one win wanting the Gray Cup recreation final 12 months, dropping to the visiting Tiger-Cats within the East ultimate. 

This 12 months, Toronto beat the visiting Montreal Alouettes 34-27 within the East ultimate to advance to its first Gray Cup recreation since 2017. 

The coaches

Mike O’Shea (Winnipeg) vs. Ryan Dinwiddie (Toronto) 

O’Shea, a former Argonauts linebacker, was named CFL coach of the 12 months for the second 12 months in a row after as soon as once more main the Bombers to the league’s greatest file. 

The final coach to win three Gray Cups in a row was the late Don Matthews from 1995 to ’97. The primary got here with an all-American roster in Baltimore and the following two got here with the Doug Flutie-led Argos. 

What O’Shea has finished is nothing wanting outstanding. O’Shea’s contract runs out after this 12 months, although each the coach and GM Kyle Walters have mentioned they count on him to return subsequent season. 

O’Shea is 6-0 in Gray Cup video games – three as an Argos participant, one as a Toronto assistant coach and two as Winnipeg’s head coach.

Dinwiddie goes to the Gray Cup recreation in his second 12 months as a head coach. 

A former Blue Bombers quarterback, Dinwiddie made his first profession begin in a 2007 Gray Cup loss for Winnipeg in opposition to Saskatchewan after Kevin Glenn was damage. 

The quarterbacks

Zach Collaros (Winnipeg) vs. McLeod Bethel-Thompson (Toronto) 

After a promising begin to his profession in Toronto and Hamilton, Collaros’ time within the CFL seemed to be coming to an finish in 2019 because of accidents and up-and-down play. 

The Bombers had well being considerations at QB in 2019 and swung a cope with the Argos on the deadline to land Collaros – and the remaining is historical past. 

Towards all odds, the Steubenville, Ohio product has been the league’s greatest participant the previous two years. Nevertheless, he injured his ankle final week and didn’t practise the primary two days in Regina. We’ll see how efficient the 34-year-old Collaros might be along with his well being in query. 

Bethel-Thompson is within the Gray Cup for the primary time in his profession. 

The 34-year-old journeyman has been with the Argos since 2017, however wasn’t the full-time starter till early within the 2021 season. 

Bethel-Thompson led the league in passing yards this 12 months, however threw 15 interceptions. The San Francisco native additionally made headlines this week when he criticized the management of the CFL in media interviews – it could be fairly a scene if he receives the Gray Cup from commissioner Randy Ambrosie. 

Three matchups to look at 

Toronto RB Andrew Harris vs. Winnipeg RB Brady Oliveira 

The Blue Bombers let Winnipeg-born star Harris hit free company final low season as a result of they’d confidence in one other working again from the town – Oliveira. 

It has labored out for all sides. 

Harris, 35, tore a pec in the summertime and was believed to be finished for the season, however managed to return for final week’s East ultimate and now will get one other shot on the Gray Cup. 

In 2019, Harris turned the primary participant in historical past to be named MVP and most precious Canadian in a Gray Cup recreation. 

Oliveira, 10 years youthful than Harris, was third within the league in dashing with 1,001 yards this season. 

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Toronto WR Kurleigh Gittens Jr. vs. Winnipeg WR Dalton Schoen 

Gittens Jr., a Wilfrid Laurier College product, had a breakout third season within the league, ending with 1,001 receiving yards. 

Born in Guyana, Gittens Jr. moved to Ottawa along with his dad as a toddler. He was named prime Canadian within the East this 12 months. 

Schoen was CFL rookie of the 12 months this season, main the league with 1,441 receiving yards and scoring 16 touchdowns. 

A walk-on who excelled at Kansas State, Schoen was a digital unknown when he arrived in Winnipeg this 12 months. 

Not a nasty discover by the Bombers entrance workplace. 

Winnipeg offensive line vs. Toronto DL Ja’Gared Davis 

The Blue Bombers’ offensive line is anchored by CFL all-stars Patrick Neufeld and Stanley Bryant. 

The Argonauts line of defense contains a man now taking part in in his sixth Gray Cup in a row in Davis. 

Davis is as clutch as they arrive, so the Bombers want a plan to restrict his influence. 

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This ‘n that 

13 Blue Bombers gamers are projected to begin their third Gray Cup in a row. Conversely, nobody on the Argos offensive line has began a Gray Cup recreation … The Blue Bombers set a CFL file, going 56.2 per cent on second down this 12 months. That’s the way you win a lot of video games … Enjoyable Gray Cup for North Bay, Ont., the hometown of O’Shea and Argos offensive lineman Ryan Hunter, who gained a Tremendous Bowl with the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs in 2020. BayToday.ca did a narrative on the pair this week. “I don’t assume North Bay is torn,” native highschool soccer coach Sean Mullan mentioned. “It’s two soccer greats who will proceed to achieve success within the sport that they love.” … The West crew has gained the final six Gray Cups performed in West cities. … Says right here it’s transfer by the CFL to maneuver the division semifinals and finals to Saturday subsequent 12 months. The Gray Cup will keep on a Sunday. Could possibly be some enjoyable football-hockey Saturday doubleheaders in an ideal world – how about an East ultimate on the hill at McGill and the Canadiens on Hockey Night time in Canada a number of hours later? … Argos senior adviser Jim Barker gave O’Shea his first teaching job as particular groups co-ordinator with Toronto in 2010. Two years later, O’Shea was on the workers of Scott Milanovich (now the Indianapolis Colts’ quarterback coach) for the Argos’ Gray Cup win. … The Maple Leafs and Jets each have house video games on Monday, which makes you assume the Gray Cup is destined to be in a hockey area at some point after it’s awarded … The Gray Cup has loads of subplots, however the low season could possibly be simply as enjoyable with fairly a number of groups unsettled at quarterback.

Prediction 

Blue Bombers 31, Argos 17 

Extra from Sportsnet

How CFL commissioner Ambrosie views enlargement, all-star debacle and his job standing

Blue Bombers’ current success a testomony to sturdy tradition and management

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