the 4th star

No game this week. No record to be set. No Mike Kelly is a moron piece. No offensive air attack this week. Actually, that’s every week. No win this week and no loss this week. Nothing happening. Nada. Just a lot of visiting family back home and a handful of players visiting Earls Polo on a nightly basis. Actually, that’s every week, too. No action on the field, so let’s turn our attention to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the rest of the schedule.

For those of you scoring at home, the Big Blue are a Big 3-5 at the Big Bye. And yes, you are correct: Most people in this town are generally happy with that. Could be the saddest thing I’ll write all day. Other than a weather story, of course.

The rest of the Blue Bombers schedule:

Sunday, Sept. 6 @ Saskatchewan
Sunday, Sept. 13 vs. Saskatchewan
Sunday, Sept. 20 @ Montreal
Saturday, Sept. 26 vs. Toronto
Friday, Oct. 2 vs. Edmonton
Monday, Oct. 12 @ Hamilton
Sunday, Oct. 18 vs. B.C.
Saturday, Oct. 24 vs. Montreal
Sunday, Nov. 1 @ Montreal
Sunday, Nov. 8 vs. Hamilton

At first glance, nothing too, too scary. Winnipeg has a heavy home schedule, with six of the next 10 at Canad Inns Stadium. Of the road games, all four are difficult match-ups — including two at Montreal. Compounding matters for the Blue Bombers is the fact they see the 2009 Grey Cup champions one more time in River City, too. If the first game between the two sides was any indication, the smart money has to be on a Montreal sweep in the season series.

Also of note are the two games with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Hamilton is a mystery this season; looking great one game and then awful the next. They’re like the Bombers — only they have two quarterbacks instead of zero. Let’s split those two games, each side winning on their home turf.

Same deal with the two against Saskatchewan. With everything up for grabs for teams not named Montreal this season, everyone should just assume that a home and home series will produce the intended split result and move on.

Winnipeg has single home dates against B.C., Edmonton, and lowly Toronto. Not coming away with a winning record in those three would be a bigger blemish on this city than Rod Black. When it’s all said and done, I have the Bombers finishing with a 7-11 record. Is that good enough for a playoff spot? Is that good enough to avoid a crossover situation? Stay tuned.

So if you’ve noticed things a little slow over at the 4th Star, you’re right on the money. I’ve been in the middle of a move the last 10 days or so, and as many of you know, it is one giant pain in the ass. Not to worry, though. It is coming to a glorious conclusion this weekend, meaning things should be back up to regular frequency in a matter of days.

Or at least until school starts. Yee-haw!