Saskatchewan (5-1) at Montreal (5-1)
When: Thursday, July 25th 2024
Where: Percival Molson Memorial Stadium,
Montreal, Quebec
Time: 7:30 ET | TV: CFL+
Opening Odds: Montreal -1.5/47.5
Two first place teams meet to open Week 8 of the CFL season when the Montreal Alouettes host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday night. Montreal and Saskatchewan each lead their respective divisions with identical 5-1 records, although the Riders are tied with B.C. in the West. The Als are coming off a Bye week after dropping their first game of the season in Week 6 by a 37-18 score against Toronto. The Riders are coming off a 19-9 victory over the disappointing Winnipeg Blue Bombers in Week 7.
Montreal is a 3-point favorite for Thursday’s contest with a total of 48.5. Saskatchewan is tied with Calgary for the best spread record in the league at 5-1 and have the third-shortest odds to win the Grey Cup (+340). The Alouettes are 3-3 ATS on the season, having failed to cover their last two. Montreal is right behind B.C. (+225) in Grey Cup odds at +250. The Als lead the all-time series 48-30-1 and won 41-12 in the only meeting in 2023.
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
With Trevor Harris out injured, backup QB Shea Patterson completed 17-of-25 for 2601 yards and the lone touchdown in Saskatchewan’s victory last week. Running back A.J. Ouellette ran for 80 yards and enters Week 8 with the third-most rushing yards (389) in the league. Rookie wideout Ajou Ajou had a big game with 110 yards on just four receptions. After seven weeks, it’s not a mystery how you can beat the Roughriders. Their defense ranks dead-last in defending the pass (328.2) and are the best at stopping the run (50.3).
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
The Week 6 loss to the Argonauts was just Montreal’s first in 13 games dating back to September of last season. Cody Fajardo completed 5-of-6 passes for 62 yards before leaving with a hamstring injury. Fajardo hasn’t returned to practice and has been ruled out for Thursday. Caleb Evans, who threw for 127 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions in relief, will start against Saskatchewan. Montreal recorded just one first down and 32 net yards in the second half of that loss to Toronto.
Prediction:
In a battle of backup quarterbacks, I’ll take the Roughriders. At least they have a very solid running game behind Ouellette. The Riders also have a bend but don’t break defense that should be able to handle Fajardo and company. I’ll take the points.
