‘At the end of the day, you just gotta get to the dance’

As the temperature dips (albeit, slightly around these parts) and leaves begin to change, one thing becomes paramount in the CFL: it’s time to start playing your best football.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (7-7) will try to do so on Saturday afternoon when they host the best the East Division has to offer in the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (9-5) at 2 p.m. CT.

To get you ready for kickoff, here’s the latest edition of 5 Storylines.

ZACH IS BACK

Zach Collaros is back under centre for the Bombers for the first time since he was laid out by a hit to the head in the Banjo Bowl.

The injury left many fans and media members question whether or not the veteran quarterback should ever return to the gridiron. But alas, after missing a pair of games, Collaros has been given the green light to resume action.

“For myself and my family, there was no stone left unturned,” Collaros said Friday.

And boy, do the Bombers ever need him. No. 2 pivot Chris Streveler certainly showed — especially last week in Ottawa where he completed just three of eight passes in a 26-18 victory — that he’s not the guy to lead this team on a late season push. It was the first time since 1975 that any CFL team — Winnipeg with Chuck Ealey in a 25-22 win over Calgary — had tried as few as eight passes.

Collaros is now in position to write a positive ending to a year that’s been full of ups and downs for the team and himself.

For that to happen, he needs to start living up to the label of star quarterback. Despite having played in only 10 games, Collaros ranks second in interceptions, eighth in QB efficiency rating, and is 4-6 as a starter.

That’s not good enough.

GROUND GAME

Brady Oliveira has a chance to run for 100-plus yards in a third straight game for the first time in his career.

If he looks anything like he did the previous date with Hamilton, there’s a good chance he’ll hit that mark. Back in Week 15, he exploded for 110 rushing yards in the first half but only had two carries in the final two quarters as the Bombers were playing catch up in what ended up being a 32-21 loss to the Ticats.

The Bombers rank first in rushing yards per game (121.5) and Oliveira’s recent surge is a big reason for that. Something to monitor heading into the final four weeks is not only Oliveira’s production, but receiver and fellow Winnippegger Nic Demski since the hometown heroes are the obvious front-runners for the team’s Most Outstanding Player nominee.

Demski’s 84-game catch streak came to an end last week, but he should get the ball in his hands early and often with Collaros in charge.

Oliveira won’t be the only elite tailback at Princess Auto Stadium, though.

Hamilton’s Greg Bell is the hottest running back in the CFL with 386 rushing yards on 59 carries in his last three games. One of those outings came against Winnipeg where he ran wild for 137 yards and a rushing touchdown, plus 31 yards through the air and a receiving score.

The Bombers are ranked third in the league against the run (94.5) but it’s going to be tough to hold Bell and the Ticats to that number.

RESURRECTION OF LIEGGHIO

It wasn’t that long ago when kicker Marc Liegghio was ran out of Winnipeg for his inconsistent leg.

Now in his third season with the Ticats, the Woodbridge, Ont., product has developed into one of the most reliable three-point booters in the game.

He’s made 21 consecutive kicks — the longest active streak in the league — and is the CFL’s most accurate kicker at 95.1 per cent after connecting on 39-of-41 attempts. Liegghio was a perfect five-for-five — including a game-winning 41-yarder into the wind — last week against Edmonton to lift the Tabbies to a 29-27 win over the Elks.

“To see what he’s done, he’s come into his own,” said Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo, who’s also impressing at 86 per cent (37-for-43).

“He’s cemented as one of the best guys in the league. I’m happy for him.”

If either club needs a clutch kick, they’re in good hands.

RETURN OF LAWLER

Star receiver Kenny Lawler returns to Winnipeg for the first time since departing in the off-season for Hamilton.

In a sit-down chat with the Free Press two weeks ago in Hamilton, the pass catcher went into detail about how disrespected he felt by the Bombers and how that played a key factor in him leaving.

It worked out wonderfully for Lawler.

In addition to being paid $300,000 this year, he’s experiencing career highs across the board with 69 receptions, 1,190 receiving yards, and 11 touchdowns.

“He’s been outstanding this year. Probably the MOP in my mind,” said Collaros.

Lawler had seven catches for 97 yards in his previous meeting with his old pals, and you can expect him to be eager to have a similar — if not better — performance in front of a packed house of Blue and Gold supporters.

“I think Kenny did a lot in this stadium, and in this community as well,” said Demski.

“I think people will be happy to see him and I think people are happy for where he is this year. Obviously, everybody would want him to be in a blue jersey but that’s the name of this profession.”

Lawler has also benefited from Ticats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell adding to his Hall of Fame resumé with 4,194 passing yards, 28 TDs, and eight interceptions this season. Hamilton is second in scoring at 30 points per game.

PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS

It’s rather simple for the Ticats: win on Saturday and their playoff spot is clinched.

It’s a bit more complicated for the Bombers, however.

Everything’s still in play for a Winnipeg side that currently resides third in the West Division. Calgary (8-5) is one spot ahead of them and holds the tiebreaker, but the Stampeders are starting to show signs of cracks. They were blasted 52-23 at home against the B.C. Lions last week, and their game before that was a 31-19 shortcoming against the lowly Elks.

The Lions (7-7) share the same record but are fourth since they dropped the season series to the Bombers, but they’re a team on the rise and end the year against Saskatchewan (10-3) who might have nothing to play for at that point.

Hosting the Western semifinal, hitting the road for the Western semifinal, heading over to the East as the crossover team, and missing the playoffs entirely (least likely of the bunch) are all a possibility for the Bombers.

“Look at the past couple of teams we played in the Grey Cup: they peaked at the right time,” said Castillo. “At the end of the day, you just gotta get to the dance. Just invite the girl out to dance, you dance, and you never know what’s gonna happen that night. Shoot, you just gotta give yourself a chance.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca