1st battles worst as RedBlacks face Roughriders

It's a battle of worst versus first Friday in Regina as the basement-dwelling Saskatchewan Roughriders host the red-hot Ottawa RedBlacks.

The Chris Jones era in Saskatchewan has gotten off to a terrible start, as the club sits winless at 0-3 under their new head coach, and will likely be without starting quarterback Darian Durant.

The veteran pivot will attempt to throw Thursday, but will not start, as Jones confirmed Mitchell Gale will begin the game under center. The veteran backup came on after Durant was injured versus the BC Lions last week, throwing for 247 yards and a touchdown.

Gale will have to be at his best, as the Riders will probably need a strong offensive output to keep up with the league's most potent attack.

The RedBlacks lead the league with 129 points scored through four games, led by an all-out assault from quarterback Trevor Harris. In his first season with the club, Harris has thrown for a league-best 1,475 yards and nine touchdowns.

The former Toronto Argonaut has found a favourite target in the speedy Chris Williams, who broke the league record for most receiving yards through the first four games of a season last week with 556. He also has a ridiculous six touchdowns, while fellow wideout Greg Ellingson has also shone with 439 yards through the air.

Jones' defense was dominant throughout the 2015 season with the Edmonton Eskimos as they won the Grey Cup, but has failed to produce the same results with Saskatchewan. The Riders defense has allowed a league-worst 109 yards through just three games, and have only registered a woeful three sacks.

A struggling pass-rush and an under-performing secondary are not the recipe for success against Harris, and without Durant to keep the score close, things could get out of hand in Regina.