Official Game Day Thread - Winnipeg at Montreal November 1, 2025

[ModAdmin]

Win or go Home. Prepare well for this game or get ready for a golf game.  It's pretty simple and hopefully the Bombers come loaded for bear - offence, defence and special teams.

We appear to be generally healthy so it means placing the right guys on the field for the most important games of the year thus far.

The Subplot...

It is the juicy subplot to a riveting and compelling matchup in Saturday's Canadian Football League Eastern Semi-Final between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Montreal Alouettes.

In the blue and gold corner you have the grizzled quarterback in Winnipeg's Zach Collaros — a savvy technician, a dangerous puncher and a man who has oodles of ring experience under the brightest of lights on the biggest stages with the championship belt at stake.

And standing in the bleu, blanc et rouge corner is the young contender in Davis Alexander of the Alouettes — the unbeaten fiery dual-threat pivot more than a decade the junior of Collaros and now making his first CFL playoff start.

48-Hour Primer | Eastern Semi-Final - Ed Tait

Let's go Bombers!

[Jesse]

We've heard the same thing all year: "Bo is going to throw for 700 against this secondary", "Trevor Harris is going to shred us with no pressure", etc, etc. It hasn't happened.

I truly think Davis Alexander is about to play his worst game as a pro. He's never played against our defense and 6 of his 7 wins this year came against non play off teams.

The key to the game, as always, is limiting those game forfeiting turn overs. If Zach plays clean and Brady is able to take over the game, I don't think we'll need to score too many to take this game. We just can't give it away.

[Blueforlife]

We are going to need 30 to win imo.  Agree about Zach protecting the ball and Brady cooking.  All on our OL imo.  We win on their back.

[Tecno]

Just watch that vacated flat or Alexander is going to torch us for first downs with his feet every snap.  Maybe time for the Tre Ford / Crum spy treatment we seem good at?  Should work on 1st down, but harder to do on 2nd when we pull T.Jones for more cover guys.

Plus, Alexander might not be able to scramble too many times without setting off his hammy.

[tlf]

On both of the lines. O has to protect ZC and the Dline has to get to Alexander early and often and throw him off his game.
Oline has to make the holes for Brady to run.  Wilson also has to be ready for SY packages and the Oline has to push harder for him as I don't think he quite has the brut strength Strev has.

I think playoff experience might serve us well here.

 

[Tecno]

Forecast getting worse.  Gust 38k/h, 30% POP, 6 feels 2C.  Could see some moments with drizzle.

I think the junkier the weather gets, the better our chances.  So keep getting junkier -- I'll be well dressed.  It should keep the MTL attendance down, too, and maybe shut them up a bit.

MOS will almost certainly defer if we win the toss.  The wind isn't going anywhere until late.

It may even out the odds by taking their all-superstar REC corps out of the equation a bit.  They are schizo at RB, changing guys a ton this season, and none are very effective.  The latest, Scott, was a one-hit wonder and has been neutralized by film.  Brady is a baller no matter the film.

MTL has listed as OUT: Dallaire, OL Johnson.  DL Johnson is questionable and didn't practice all week.  Uguak (ankle) didn't practice at all until Thu (limited) and though listed as playing may be GTD or just re-injure in-game.  We could be facing a much weakened MTL DL, and that should allow for even more running and less pressure on Zach.

[Tecno]

I don't want to hear any WPG player say "why not us?" regarding being the first to xover and make the cup.  Someone did in the pressers this week (Willie?).  That's the dumb saying that EDM did a few years back when they crossed over and I think made it to the EDF?  It even became a TSN talking point.

Pick something else to say, don't rehash old EDM garbage, because it'll just be a curse like it was for them: "why not us" -- "because you suck".

[Tecno]

Yay... Montreal subway/bus is going on strike starting Nov 1.  I never rent a car in MTL, and still won't this time, but it will mean a lot more cabbing to places.

During game day there will be limited subway -- that should limit how many MTL fans can attend, as there really is no mass parking around there.  Luckily I can just walk a few blocks.

Subway will still run on reduced hours though for commuters: 6:30 a.m. to 9:40 a.m and again from 2:45 p.m. to 5:50 p.m.  So fans can probably take it home (game should end at 4pm local).

[The Zipp]

As expected, GTD for Demski...so you are saying there is a chance...

Corcoran over Clercius...guess they saw some things they liked with him or some things they didn't like with Clercius

[Mick]

Depth Charts. 

[Jesse]

As expected, GTD for Demski...so you are saying there is a chance...

Corcoran over Clercius...guess they saw some things they liked with him or some things they didn't like with Clercius

There's zero mention of Corcoran/Clercius in Ed Tait's game preview. What happened there?

As for Demski, at this point, I hope he's not playing. He's clearly not ready.

[Pete]

No mention Mitchell either, not sure whats going on with our recievers or offense as s whole

[Mick]

Big loss there for MTL Johnson out, and Uguak GTD.

[peg_city]

Considering how healthy we are, we should have no complaints.

I've convinced myself somehow that we are going to win this game, even though the money line and 3 down nation all are predicting a loss.

Hoping for a blitz early to knock Alexander out of the game.

[Blue In BC]

Ok, no Griffin which surprises me but Lawson has been playing well and is healthy. Taking off Peterson doesn't sound wise.

I thought Jenkins would make the AR but we choose Munier-Bailey. We could have kept Jenkins as well, but then Lawson probably gets bumped.

Not the worst roster we've had but concern is still the health of Demski and whatever is happening with Clercius and Corcoran.