‘Why not us?’

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are well aware history isn’t on their side.

There’s been 12 crossover teams in CFL history dating back to 1997 and none have made it to the Grey Cup, let alone win it.

The Blue and Gold (10-8) are hoping No. 13 proves to be lucky as their fourth-place finish in the West Division sends them to Montreal on Saturday for the Eastern semifinal (1 p.m. CT kickoff) against the Alouettes (10-8).

“I find that very intriguing and very motivating for us to be the first,” said running back Brady Oliveira after Tuesday’s practice.

“So why not us?”

Maybe because it’s extremely difficult.

“I don’t know that it is,” downplayed head coach Mike O’Shea. “I’ve never been a part of a crossover before.”

Same goes for the franchise, as the Bombers have never been in this position. Just when defensive tackle Jake Thomas thought he had seen it all in his 13 seasons with the team, the 2025 campaign threw a curveball.

“Obviously, we would like to finish first or second. But, you know, this is the path we’re taking and I think it’ll be great,” said Thomas. “I think something new now and then is always interesting, so, I’m really looking forward to it.”

It’s a daunting task, but for the dozen players remaining from 2019, it’s something they’ve essentially conquered before when they were the No. 3 seed in the West and won back-to-back road tilts en route to ending the club’s 28-year championship drought.

“I don’t see it as any different than 2019. I don’t know if it’s really any different than finishing third in the West or third in the East. It’s still two road games,” said Thomas.

“I think this year there’s a lot of parity across the league and I think we’ve shown this year when we play well we’re a tough team. It’s just about finding that consistency and playing well.”

Different or not, it still won’t be easy. Only 10 third-place teams have climbed the mountain to get to the Grey Cup since 1953 and six of those went on to raise the silver mug.

Prior to the Bombers in 2019, the last time the feat was accomplished was back in 2005 by Edmonton.

Turning into road warriors isn’t so simple.

“I don’t think we even looked at it like being on the road or being at home, I think we just focus on the execution and plan and sticking to the process of the preparation,” said O’Shea.

“I don’t think we spend a lot of time worrying about where we’re playing. I think most pro athletes if you told them to go apply their trade in the parking lot they would because they love doing it.”

The Bombers earned a bye to the Western final the past four seasons. It’s been a while since they weren’t the favourites.

“You approach every game the same way, whether you’re the favourite or the underdog,” said quarterback Zach Collaros.

“If you need that extra motivation that’s something that can motivate you, being in that role. It can maybe also take the pressure off you if you’re somebody who gets bogged down by that kind of stuff, right? Once that whistle blows, as I always tell you guys, you’re just out there trying to execute the game plan and do the best that you can. But, yeah, leading up to it it’s a different feel for sure… It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The average underdog hasn’t been to five straight title games. With two wins, the Bombers will reach the Grey Cup for a sixth season in a row which would tie a CFL record for consecutive appearances with Edmonton’s 1977-82 reign of terror.

“It doesn’t matter. We lost the last three Grey Cups. I’m trying to win,” said Oliveira.

“That’s the only thing that’s been on the forefront of my mind. We all want to win a Grey Cup. And I want it so badly. So the streak doesn’t matter. I want to get to another Grey Cup and I want to win it this time.”

Two wins would also bring them right back to Princess Auto Stadium, and the 12-time Grey Cup champs have never won it all at home.

“Nothing more that I want, then to come back here, play in my back yard with all my boys, all my teammates — we all want that,” said Oliveira.

“We want to be back here for the big game at the end of the year. We understand it’s going to take a lot… (But) for us to come back, give our fans a Grey Cup game here with their home team playing here would be something special.”

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca