'Rider quarterback Darian Durant is hoping to have a better outing against Winnipeg on Sunday after a rough game against Edmonton last week. (Larry MacDougal/Canadian Press)

What's at stake

Both the 'Riders and Bombers know how important Sunday's Labour Day Classic is to their year. Winnipeg (2-6) is on a four-game losing streak heading into the biggest game of the regular season, while Saskatchewan (5-3) has lost two of three, including a defeat to the lowly Edmonton Eskimos last week. If there's a better way to get out of a slump, we don't know about it.

The advantage is definitely coloured green heading into what's sure to be a noisy Taylor Field. Winnipeg's dealing with injury issues at quarterback and will start Buck Pierce, who may not be fully recovered from his knee injury. The Riders have also won the last five Labour Day Classics, are on an eight-game home winning streak dating back to last season and are facing a team that has lost five straight on the road.

Players to watch

Winnipeg

Terrence Edwards. Wonder where Pierce is going to look while he's in the pocket on Sunday? Probably to the wideout who's second in the league in touchdowns (seven) and receiving yards (725).

Saskatchewan

James Patrick. The Riders' safety did everything in his power to help his team get by the lowly Eskimos last week, nabbing three interceptions and returning one for a touchdown. He now leads the CFL in picks with six.

Gameday quarterbacks

Winnipeg — Buck Pierce (4 GP, 59-91, 837 yards, 6 TDs, 3 INTs)

Saskatchewan — Darian Durant (8 GP, 177-301, 2474 yards, 11 TDs, 12 INTs)

While Durant had his worst game of the season last week against Edmonton, going 19-for-39 and throwing three interceptions with no TDs, Saskatchewan's quarterback situation is still far less of a concern than Winnipeg's.

Durant is still the CFL's best passer, with 2,474 yards, while the Blue Bombers' two QBs are both experiencing injury troubles. Pierce is possibly still suffering from a knee injury that has forced him to miss the last four games, and his backup Steven Jyles is wearing a flak jacket to protect injured ribs.

Pierce says he's ready and put up impressive totals in his first four starts before going on the injured list, but if he struggles early don't be surprised if Winnipeg coach Paul LaPolice sends in Jyles, who was Durant's backup last season in Saskatchewan. Both Pierce and Jyles are 1-3 as starters this season.

Injury Update

The Roughriders had some good news on the injury front when defensive end Brent Hawkins said he was fit enough to play after sustaining a shoulder injury against Edmonton last week.

Aside from the QB issues, Winnipeg linebacker Brendan Hicks is out and will be replaced by Clint Kent. The Bombers are getting a linebacker, too — Marcellus Bowman will be returning from a hand injury and will likely get the start on the strong side. Veteran safety Ian Logan has recovered from his hamstring pull and will be back in the Bombers secondary.

Last matchup

This will be the first of two meetings between the teams this year, the second half being the Banjo Bowl in Winnipeg next week.

The two teams have played 46 Labour Day Classics since 1952. The Riders lead the series 28-18 and have won 15 of the past 20 Classics. Saskatchewan has outscored Winnipeg 163-89 in winning the last five in a row.

---

What they said

"[Durant]'s gone a period where he's levelled off a little bit but I'd anticipate in the very near future that he's going to accelerate and climb again." — Saskatchewan head coach Ken Miller

"If you think about Pierce's] two games at the beginning of the year you could say he was as good as any quarterback in the Canadian Football League, if not the best. That's a guy you want on your side." — Blue Bombers coach Paul LaPolice, to the Winnipeg Free Press.

With files from The Canadian Press