The Saskatchewan Roughriders lost a game and their No. 1 QB last week in a 23-17 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The Roughriders offense was a major area of concern heading into the season, with a suspect offensive line and a thin skill-position group, but now they must worry about the health of QB Zach Collaros, who left the game with a head injury after taking a cheap shot from Ticats LB Simoni Lawrence. Saskatchewan will split the reps between their No. 2 and 3 quarterbacks, Cody Fajardo and Isaac Harker. I don’t like that because often playing multiple quarterbacks in a game prevents either one from getting into any sort of rhythm.
The Ottawa defense is formidable and held a good Calgary offense and the best quarterback in the CFL, Bo Levi Mitchell, to just 318 total yards. Ottawa’s offense had a little bit of good and bad last week in its outright 32-28 win as a 8¹/₂-point underdog against Calgary. The Redblacks put up 401 total yards, including 112 on the ground from new starting RB Mossis Madu, but QB Dominque Davis, in his first CFL start, also threw four interceptions.
The plays: Under 44 and Saskatchewan +5¹/₂ There has been a landslide of money pouring in on the Under in this game, and I certainly agree with that sentiment. I also lean toward taking the points with Saskatchewan in what should be a tight, defensive battle.