Third Down Gamble

A little counter-intuitive

The 35 second clock still struggles to be what it claims, upwards of 10 seconds elapse after the end of a play before the 35 second clock starts.  Teams are scoring touchdowns on over 24% of their offensive possessions, can they keep up this staggering pace?  Quarterbacks went-off last weekend, four of them throwing for over 400 yards, not since 1995 has that happened.  Davis Alexander had his helmet slammed on the turf, yet Alexander stayed on the field.  Road teams have won four of six games this season, will this trend continue?  (CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded June 16, 2026).

Extra intensity.

The CFL's new 35 second clock seems to be getting closer to an actual 35 seconds between the end of the previous play and when next the football must be put back in play.  The single point (rouge) underwent changes to its application; were the modifications too many and too far?  Ottawa Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie opts to punt at the opposition 42, would not a field goal attempt been more optimal?  Quarterback Chad Kelly finally returns to lead the Argonauts onto the same field that put him on the shelf in the third quarter of the 2024 East Final.  Can Elks' running back Justin Rankin become the league's first 1000 yard rusher and 1000 yard receiver in the same season?  Rankin is off to a great start.  Is Saturday's Saskatchewan versus BC a statement game or is it about revenge?  (TSN game audio, CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded June 9, 2026).

Let’s build this together.

CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston comes through on a promise and lands a six-year broadcasting deal sarting in 2027.  Jake Maier is given the role of starting quarterback in Ottawa.  Can the B.C. Lions be stopped in 2026, or will injuries (specifically to starting veteran-quarterbacks) play a key role in determining who wins each division?  (CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded June 2, 2026).

Quick Kicks 158: with Steve Daniel (CFL Associate VP, Football and Team Analytics).

Special Guest Steve Daniel discusses the importance of analytics in terms of assessing game quailty, the importance of understanding the mean and the median, the value of knowing how impactful turnovers, two-and-outs, and third down stalls are to a team's chances at winning, and he relates how working for the CFL has helped maintain his life-long love of analytics.  (CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded Monday, June 1, 2026).

Quick Kicks 157: with Luc Mullinder (Harvard Media Roughriders Radio Network).

Special Guest Luc Mullinder (colour analyst for Saskatchewan Roughriders radio game-broadcasts) discusses the 2026 Roughriders training camp in Saskatoon, how new quarterback Brayden Schager turned heads, what is required of the defensive line given all its changes, and who is expected to step up to replace departed (to Ottawa) A.J. Allen and C.J. Reavis.  Luc also illustrates the importance of leadership in training camp and recounts his first training camp as a rookie with the Roughriders, and life after football.  (CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded May 28. 2026).