Saskatchewan Roughriders face must-win game against Montreal Alouettes

The Saskatchewan Roughriders host the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday in a game that could decide their playoff fate.

The Roughriders can clinch a playoff spot with a win over Montreal and a loss by either the Calgary Stampeders or Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

"These are difficult times for quarterback Trevor Harris and the Saskatchewan Roughriders," the reports noted.

READ MORE: Alouettes aim for perfect home record in Grey Cup rematch with Roughriders

READ MORE: Zach Collaros cleared to start for Blue Bombers in critical playoff chase

The defending Grey Cup champions have lost four straight games, including a 44-24 defeat in Montreal last week.

That game saw Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander throw for 403 yards and five touchdowns.

Alexander leads the CFL in passing yards (5,247), touchdowns (35) and completion percentage (72.1).

Harris completed 23-of-33 passes for 243 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in the loss.

He stands second overall in passing (5,117 yards) but his 14 interceptions are tied for second-most by a CFL starter.

There is a question of how much Alexander and Montreal's other starters will play, as the Alouettes have already clinched first place in the East Division.

The Alouettes lead the league in offensive points scored (33.8 per game) and 30-plus yard completions (37).

Canadian receiver Tyson Philpot needs 228 receiving yards over Montreal's final two games to break Allen Pitts's single-season record of 2,036.

Saskatchewan is 5-3 at home and, with its season on the line, "should be the more desperate team," according to the reports.

Other key CFL matchups

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-8) visit the Edmonton Elks (12-4) on Friday night.

Edmonton can clinch first in the West Division with a win or a B.C. Lions loss.

Veteran starter Zach Collaros returned for Winnipeg last week, passing for 349 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Calgary after missing two games with a head injury.

The Bombers are 6-4 with Collaros under centre.

The B.C. Lions (10-6) visit the Calgary Stampeders (8-9) on Saturday night.

The Lions can clinch a home playoff game with a win or a Winnipeg loss.

B.C. has won four straight and nine of its last 10 games.

Running back Zander Horvath needs one more rushing touchdown to tie Mike Pringle's single-season record and two more total touchdowns to tie Milt Stegall's overall mark.

If the Stampeders lose, they will need Saskatchewan to lose its final game to reach the playoffs.

In the East, the Toronto Argonauts (9-7) visit the Ottawa Redblacks (0-16) on Friday.

Chad Kelly is expected to start for Toronto after missing a game with a right hand injury.

Newcomer Bryson Barnes starts for Ottawa and has scored nine rushing touchdowns this season.

The Argos have already secured second place and will host the East Division semifinal on Oct. 31.

The Roughriders and Alouettes kick off at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday in Regina.

With files from The Canadian Press, The Globe and Mail and Global News