Rider fans will get a pretty clear picture who the starting 24 will be for the regular season opener tonight. Good thing because the Riders didn't give much of a hint last Wednesday in their pre-season debut in Edmonton.

The starters will play the first half and some into the third quarter, which means the chances for those on the cut line for the Riders may only have 10 plays or so and those plays have to be their very best or cut down day will be a tough one.

If you're going to the game tonight here are some things to look out for;

Wide Receiver - Rob Bagg looks like he's locked down the far side receiver position but there is still a battle with Chris Jones and Johnny Quinn on the near/strong side. Jones has been taking first team reps but Quinn has been raved about by the coaching staff. With those two seperating themselves there may only be one or two more spots for Todd Blythe, Gerran Walker, Eric Morris and Byron Ross on the practice roster.

Kick Returns - Brandon Childress v Casey McGahee. These are the two players the Riders are hoping to take the load off of Weston Dressler and they're neck and neck right now and hopefully they don't get as much work as they did in Edmonton.

Outside Linebacker - Tad Kornegay appears to be the man to play linebacker for the Riders to start the season. But Kye Stewart is pushing to get into the opening 42 man roster but there is limited space.

Running Back - Possibly a three horse race to take over for Wes Cates as he recovers from shoulder surgery. Stu Foord gets the start tonight but Hugh Charles will sub in often and Justin Beaver will get a shot late. Jason Geathers is also in the mix but hasn't had a lot of time to learn the system, joining the team late in training camp.

Finally, of course, the quarterback - with Monday's news that Steven Jyles was going to start against the Calgary Stampeders, Ken Miller was clear that Jyles could supplant Darian Durant as the starting quarterback for the Riders. BUT and it's a, dare I say, BIG but.... (I know, cheap laughs) Steven Jyles has to out play Durant and clearly out play Durant to do that tonight. And with only a quarter each, that is going to be tough to do.

As for individuals to look out for; Joe Sykes at defensive end #98... he's a very disciplined player that has tremendous athleticism; #69 Nick Hutchins... when the second string offensive line comes into the game and if he shows well again, his last year with the U of R Rams is in question because he could be a back up right now; #49 Joel Lipinski.. another local player who will play linebacker later in the game but is pushing to get onto the roster as a special teams player because he never quits on a play; #90 Stevie Baggs...back to the defensive end spot as Baggs is the Kitwana Jones replacement, you may forget about the trade after watching Baggs play; #12 Dalton Bell... the other quarterback that will suit up this season, Bell needs to show improved play from Edmonton and should have the benefit of playig with the starting unit early in the third quarter and he needs to move the ball if he's going to push for the back up job, which is likely already out of reach to start the season.