The Saskatchewan Roughriders will be one of the most well-rested teams in the CFL in 2024.
The CFL unveiled its entire schedule on Thursday afternoon, with the Riders benefitting from eight more cumulative days of rest than their opponents next year. That ranks second in the league according to analysis done by CJOB’s Derek Taylor, trailing only the Ottawa Redblacks at a whopping 14 games.
While Saskatchewan has a softer schedule in general, that number is hampered by one of the toughest turnarounds in the league. In Week 10, the Riders will be on four days of rest when they visit the aforementioned Redblacks, who will be on 12 days of rest.
That will be the only short week with travel for the Riders, as they begin their campaign on the road against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, June 8 at 7:00 p.m. ET. The team’s first home game won’t take place until Week 3, when they host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday, June 23rd at 7:00 p.m. ET. They will enjoy their first bye of the season the following week.
Standard rivalry fare against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers will be delivered in the Labour Day Classic at home on Sunday, September 1, before a Banjo Bowl rematch in Manitoba on Saturday, September 7. That will decide the season series, with the teams having previously met in Week 7.
Late season byes in Week 15 and Week 20 will help carry the Green and White down the stretch. The team will wrap up the regular season on Saturday, October 26 when they host the Calgary Stampeders.
Saskatchewan also has the distinction of kicking off the preseason with a home matchup against the Bombers on Monday, May 20. New head coach Corey Mace will aim to finish the year on Sunday, November 17 in his hometown of Vancouver, where the 111th Grey Cup is slated to be played.
Graphic courtesy: Saskatchewan Roughriders
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