Now is when real Roughrider fans are counted. The giddiness of having won the Grey Cup and something like 13 of their last 14 games, infected a lot of folks who wouldn't normally consider a watermelon as a choice of chapeau.

The Roughriders refuse to make excuses and you have to respect them for that, but let’s be honest, on offence at least, we’re largely playing our scout team. I mean no disrespect by that, it’s just a truth. We know our team is in tough. We also know that’s familiar territory for the Roughriders; but we wait each week for the tide of injuries to turn and starters to come back.

That doesn’t change the fact that my son and I will be among the thousands of faithful, making their way en masse to Taylor Field on this beautiful autumn evening, to cheer our Roughriders on and put the 'Boo' in Boo-riss.   (Although I think we'd be cheering him as our own if it hadn't been for Roy Shivers proclaiming this "Nealon's Team."  But I digress)

To walk in that crowd of Rider Pride is a special experience, one that has been repeated in this province for decades. While those of us lucky enough to have tickets gather at Taylor Field, elsewhere people will be making an appointment with their tv to watch the Green and White. The fans who still believe…even if they have trouble finding hope these days.