It's another reason to look forward to June: the start of the Saskatchewan Roughriders training camp.

Expectations are going to be very high this year. They might even be higher than they were two years ago, when the Riders were the defending Grey Cup champions.

“Unfinished business” might be a fitting tagline for this year's Rider squad. For most Rider fans, anything short of a return to the Grey Cup will be deemed a failure. And fans will be expecting the Riders to hoist the Grey Cup this time.

All-star quarterback Darian Durant is among the many key players who will return from last year's team.

But even with a bevy of returning talent, a lot of things have to happen in the Riders' favour for this team to win the Grey Cup this year.

The Riders have several particularly pressing issues.

First, Durant has to stay healthy, since the Riders have an insufficient back-up quarterback (Ryan Dinwiddie), and several inexperienced quarterbacks at training camp.

Is Joseph still a free agent?

Durant must also continue to play outstanding football.

After the mid-season bye week last year, Saskatchewan averaged 29.5 points per game. Durant was as good as any player in the league in the season's second half, and he seemed to get better each week.

If Durant plays at the level he was at in September, October and November, the Riders will be one of the best offensive teams in the league. If he takes the next step forward in his development, the Riders will have the best offence in the league. If he regresses, the Riders will struggle.

The other key will be replacing all-star defensive ends John Chick and Stevie Baggs. Chick was the league's top defensive player, and Baggs was almost Chick's equal. They worked perfectly together. Teams couldn't double-team one of them. If a team keyed on Chick, Baggs would get three sacks. When they double-teamed Baggs, Chick was unstoppable.

Chick and Baggs also forced opposing quarterbacks to be leery throughout the season. Pivots knew they would take a hit if they held onto the ball for too long.

Chick and Baggs are taking a shot at the NFL. I wouldn't be surprised to see them back, but if they do return, it won't be until after Labour Day. In the meantime, a couple of unproven defensive ends will need to play great football.

Saskatchewan has the ability to return to the Grey Cup, and atone for last season's disastrous finish. But in the ultra-competitive Western Division, they need to play to their potential, and have some good luck, or their season will have a disappointing end.