Saskatchewan Roughriders head coach Corey Mace delivers his verdict ahead of their Western finals match against BC Lions and explains why there will definitely be the winner.

Corey Mace: Last Year’s Roughriders Weren’t Ready — But This Team Is Different

The Saskatchewan Roughriders might have believed they were Grey Cup contenders last season, but head coach Corey Mace admits they simply weren’t prepared for the challenge.

“Last year, everyone was fired up — it was like a ‘storm-the-castle’ kind of vibe,” Mace reflected ahead of Saturday’s Western Final showdown with the B.C. Lions. “This time, it’s business as usual for us, and that’s a good thing.”

Mace’s first season in charge was a learning curve. Surrounded by a partly new coaching staff, the team lacked cohesion and made several tactical errors. Despite a strong 4-0 start, a knee injury to quarterback Trevor Harris triggered a seven-game winless stretch. The Riders eventually recovered to finish 9-8-1, beating the Lions in the West semifinal before falling 38-22 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the final — a defeat that exposed flaws in both coaching and execution.

There’s truth to the old saying that teams often have to lose before they learn to win. Mace believes that painful experience helped forge a more mature, battle-tested group this year.

“This season, we’re a lot more comfortable with each other,” said centre Logan Ferland. “Last year’s loss gave us fire, but this year our calmness comes from chemistry.”

During the off-season, Mace and his coordinators Marc Mueller and Kent Maugeri held extensive strategy sessions, addressing last year’s shortcomings. The result has been a smarter, steadier team capable of handling adversity — from injuries to lineup changes — without losing momentum.

Finishing second in the West with a 12-6 record, Saskatchewan now enters the Western Final rested, confident, and wiser.

“The guys who were here last year understand what to expect,” Mace said. “The atmosphere feels different — we’re ready.”