The 112th Grey Cup 2025 Preview: Can Montréal Top the Saskatchewan?

 

Grey Cup/Coupe Grey

Grey Cup: Montréal Alouettes versus Saskatchewan Roughriders

There has been the traditional week of events leading up to the Grey Cup. Both teams celebrated big wins last weekend. Now, it will soon be time for the actual game to take place on Sunday afternoon at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg, Manitoba. 

This will be the 112th edition of the Grey Cup.

Historically, this will be the 20th appearance in franchise history for both the Montréal Alouettes and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Montréal has won it eight times, with the most recent championship having been in 2023. Saskatchewan has won the prestigious trophy four times, with their last title having come in 2013. 

Montréal won the title two years ago behind a very stingy defense. Their defense looked more vulnerable for most of this season. However, they have stepped their game up considerably in recent weeks, shutting down Winnipeg and then holding off Hamilton last weekend to qualify for the Grey Cup Final. 

Ironically, it was the Saskatchewan Roughriders who topped the league in overall defense this season. That could pose some problems for Montréal, as their offense ranked in the bottom third of the league. So one of the questions will be how Davis Alexander and the Alouettes offense responds to the Roughriders tough challenge on defense.

Montréal's defense is still tough and clearly seems to be peaking at the right time. However, the Roughriders, while officially a middle of the road offense in terms of overall CFL rankings this season, nonetheless do seem capable of scoring when they absolutely have to. They have shown an ability to be creative and get the job done when needed.

Of course, there will be other factors. Indeed, you never know what might come into play and decide a big game like this. One turnover, or one missed field goal or key opportunity could prove to be the difference. 

Personally, I expect a tight game. It seems unlikely - albeit not impossible - that this will be a blowout, one way or the other. Probably, the two teams will combine for between 45 to 50 points in all.

In the end, however, I suspect that Saskatchewan has been the top-rated team all season for a reason. And I expect them to come out swinging and capture their first Grey Cup championship in well over a decade on Sunday.

Let's see what happens. 

My pick: Saskatchewan