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Specifically, what if Collaros had been able to start?

Although the 30-year-old signal-caller was hardly stellar during a season in which his interceptions (13) outnumbered the touchdown passes (nine), he did operate the offence — such as it was — in competent fashion.

He was an experienced hand who guided Saskatchewan to victory in 10 of his 14 starts.

One of those wins was at the expense of the Calgary Stampeders, who fell 29-24 at McMahon Stadium in the Roughriders’ penultimate regular-season game.

Collaros threw for 352 yards as the Riders piled up 30 first downs and delivered an emphatic message — that they were, in fact, a bona-fide Grey Cup contender.

At 12-6, Saskatchewan earned the right to stage a home playoff game for the first time since 2013. It was a progressive step in Year 3 of the Chris Jones regime.

Calgary (13-5) placed first, but has looked uncommonly vulnerable due to a spate of injuries. Many of the flaws were exposed by the Roughriders during their Oct. 20 visit to Calgary.

But now it is the Blue Bombers who are destined for Calgary and the division final, the Roughriders’ season having ended abruptly but, in light of the quarterbacking predicament, predictably.

At the very least, the Roughriders needed to avoid costly turnovers on Sunday. For the most part, they were successful. With Bridge at the controls, Saskatchewan relinquished the football only once — but that one miscue was a severe blow.

On second-and-four from the Blue Bombers’ 39-yard line, Bridge unfurled a quacker that was intercepted 23 yards downfield by Kevin Fogg.