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INSIDE THE GAME

How much change happened to both the Redblacks and the Stampeders in the off-season? Enough that they arrive in the starting blocks this year with the CFL’s two youngest rosters, average ages of 26.8 years and 27.0 years respectively … Both teams have made the Grey Cup in three of the last four seasons … Stamps DB Brandon Smith needs just two tackles to tie Dante Marsh for 19th most all-time in the CFL … QB Davis will make his second consecutive regular-season start for the Redblacks after suiting up as the No. 2 pivot in 53 straight contests. He went 16-of-23 for 220 yards in last year’s regular-season finale, a 24-9 win over the visiting Toronto Argonauts … During 2018, the Stampeders topped the Redblacks in all three meetings — twice early in the regular season with a 24-14 home decision June 28 and a 27-3 road victory July 12, and, of course, in the 27-16 Grey Cup game Nov. 27.

KEY MATCHUP

Stamps DE Cordarro Law vs. Redblacks QB Dominique Davis — Now in his sixth season with the Stamps, Law is making a lot of noise about becoming the league’s top sack-master. Injury limited Law’s performance last year, as he started just nine games and collected only four sacks. But he’s in the spotlight now as the guy being hyped to track down opposition pivots. It begins Saturday as he’ll try to hunt down the inexperienced Redblacks QB, who’s in the spotlight himself trying to secure his own dominance.

PREDICTION

Stampeders 27, Redblacks 16 — It certainly doesn’t appear to be a Grey Cup rematch given all the changes on both clubs, but why not make a prediction that repeats the scoreline from last November’s championship? After all, it’s not likely to be a high-scoring affair with offence generally slow on the uptake early in the season and a Redblacks defence, returning as a mostly intact unit, with potential to further limit Stamps QB Mitchell.

tsaelhof@postmedia.com

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