The Ottawa Redblacks head to Mosaic Stadium to take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday night. Both of these teams are 3-4 and need to string together some wins if they want to make the playoffs.
CFL odds opened with this Week 9 clash as a pick'em but early money came on the Redblacks, shifting the spread to -1. Here are my best free Redblacks vs. Roughriders CFL picks for August 5.
Redblacks vs Roughriders best odds
Redblacks vs Roughriders picks and predictions
Don't be fooled by the 402 passing yards that Saskatchewan racked up (mostly in garbage time) during last week's loss to the Argonauts at Touchdown Atlantic. Mason Fine has been mediocre since taking over for the injured Trevor Harris under center and he hasn't led the team to a single touchdown drive across two starts.
It hasn't helped that the banged-up Saskatchewan offensive line has been unable to buy him more than a few seconds and ranks last in the league with 28 sacks allowed. The strength of Ottawa's defense is the front four anchored by Lorenzo Mauldin IV, so expect that line to get after Fine.
The Redblacks aren't quite as strong at linebacker and in their secondary, but both areas received a boost last week when stud LB Jovan Santos-Knox and DB Cariel Brooks came off the six-game IL and made an immediate impact.
The Redblacks also have a backup QB at the helm but rookie Dustin Crum has been far more impressive and led Ottawa to back-to-back 30+ point performances and victories in Weeks 6 and 7.
Crum is coming off a poor passing performance against the Ticats but he had thrown for more than 250 yards in his previous two starts against Winnipeg and Calgary — both of whom have solid defenses.
Crum's greatest strength is his ability to make plays with his legs and in just four games he has rushed for 346 yards and 8.7 yards per carry. His mobility will pose problems for a Saskatchewan defense that has a strong D-line but doesn't do a good job of tackling at the second level.
Crum and the Redblacks might have been a tad overvalued following wins against the Bombers and Stamps, but I'll gladly take them at close to a pick'em price against a Riders side that can't move the ball.
My best bet: Redblacks -1 (-110 at bet365)
Redblacks vs Roughriders spread and Over/Under analysis
The spread moved from a pick'em to the Redblacks favored at -1 while the total has stayed steady at 44.5.
The Riders are on a three-game losing streak and are 0-3-1 against the spread in their last four. The Riders were struggling even before they lost Harris to a long-term injury and things have understandably been even tougher with Fine under center.
While both of these teams are 3-4, it's worth mentioning that two of Saskatchewan's victories came against the godawful Elks and both of those were extremely close contests. The Redblacks also have a win against Edmonton on their resume but they won that one by 19 points.
It was looking like another lost season for Ottawa but with its first and second-string quarterbacks sidelined by injuries, the Redblacks started Crum and may have discovered the league's next star.
Crum led Ottawa to upset wins in overtime against the Blue Bombers and Stampeders before returning to earth in last week's loss to the Ticats. The Under is 5-2 in the Redblacks' seven games this year but both of those Overs cashed with Crum getting the start.
Redblacks vs Roughriders trend to know
The Roughriders are 0-5 ATS in their last five home games while the Redblacks are 7-3 ATS in the previous 10 contests on the road. Find more CFL betting trends for Redblacks vs. Roughriders.
Redblacks vs Roughriders game info
| Location: | Mosaic Stadium, Regina, SK |
| Date: | Sunday, August 6, 2023 |
| Kickoff: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN |
Redblacks vs Roughriders key injuries
Redblacks: Damon Webb DB (Questionable), Brandin Dandridge DB (Questionable), Douglas Coleman SLB (Questionable), Tyrie Adams QB (Out), Jeremiah Masoli QB (Out), Blessman Ta'ala DT (Out), Money Hunter CB (Out), DeVonte Dedmon WR/KR (Out).
Roughriders: Brandon Council LT (Questionable), Mitchell Picton WR (Questionable), Kian Schaffer-Baker WR (Questionable), Trevor Harris QB (Out), Rolan Milligan Jr. DB (Out), Derel Walker WR (Questionable).
Find our latest CFL injury reports.
