Head coach Wally Buono has a 4-5 playoff record with the B.C. Lions. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

You have to get up pretty early to fool someone like B.C. Lions coach Wally Buono, who doesn't think Sunday's 1 p.m. ET start in Hamilton is early enough to be a factor in the CFL East semifinal.

The Lions cross over in the playoff schedule for the rare early start at Ivor Wynne Stadium to battle a Ticats team that beat them in both meetings this season.

"The time change is something I think you can deal with as a club, the guys have come in early, they've worked hard, so I don't think it's an issue," Buono told CBCSports.ca on a media call on Thursday.

The Lions actually did fare pretty well in their only other start at that time this season, a 28-24 loss in Montreal on Sept. 13, the closest the Alouettes came to losing at home up until that point.

"Except for a blown coverage late in the game, I thought our guys played very spirited, very tough and it was a very good football game."

B.C. lost twice to Hamilton this season, although both were early in the campaign and came with Quinton Porter at quarterback for the Tiger-Cats. Veteran Kevin Glenn has since replaced Porter.

Cobb key to Ticats' attack

While the Lions have engaged in many battles with the longtime Bombers pivot Glenn over the years, running back DeAndra' Cobb has posed a problem in his first two games against the Lions.

Cobb has racked up 267 yards on 31 carries, good for nearly 8.7 yards per attempt.

"They blocked well and he did some nice things. The other thing is you've gotta be physical at the point of attack and I don't believe we were that at that time," said Buono.

The Lions backed into the playoffs, losing three straight and needing a Hamilton victory over Winnipeg on the last day of the season to keep their playoff streak at 13 consecutive years.

But they're buoyed by the fact that they're getting healthier at quarterback, where they've been beset by injuries.

Buono said starter Casey Printers, Travis Lulay and even Jarious Jackson have all practised this week behind centre. Jackson will likely only be called upon in short-yardage situations.

Printers declared himself ready to go after a thumb injury suffered in last week's 45-13 drubbing. The signal caller strung together consecutive 300-yard passing games before the injury, his first action for B.C. in his second stint with the club.

He was the 2004 CFL outstanding player of the year with the Lions before later heading to the NFL for a stint, and then to the Tiger-Cats.

The quarterback said it was just another game for him, despite a disappointing tenure in Hamilton in 2007-08.

"I'll say all my I love yous and shake hands and greet guys after the football game, but before then, it's all business," he said.

Business may be disrupted by the fans at Ivor Wynne, who will no doubt delight in trying to drown him out when he's attempting to call plays on Sunday.

The winner will travel to Montreal for the CFL East final on Nov. 22 at Olympic Stadium.