With five games remaining on their schedule, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are clutching onto second place West division, and more importantly home field advantage heading into the stretch drive in October, where they will play four divisional opponents.

Betting Analysis

These two teams last met back in Week 3 of this season, with the Alouettes surprising the Roughriders at home 23-17. The combination of quarterbacks Drew Willy and Jeff Matthews teamed up for the win. One is no longer with the club, the other is injured. The Alouettes continue to struggle at home this season. They are 1-5 straight up this season, and 6-20 against the spread (ATS) in their last 26 home games. Overall, the Als are 6-17 ATS in their last 23 games. Head-to-head the Roughriders are a disappointing 4-9 ATS in their last 13 games against the Alouettes.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Roughriders are coming off a tight 30-29 victory on the road against the Toronto Argonauts. It could be best described as a tale of two halves, especially for quarterback Zach Collaros. In the first half, Collaros looked good, throwing for 141 yards and two touchdowns. The Green Riders put up 24 points in the first 30 minutes. In the second half of the game, he was 5-for-11 for 92 yards and an interception, as the offence sputtered to the finish line. The defence has been solid all season long led by sack leader Charleston Hughes (13), but the second half of Saturday’s game against the Argos has to be concerning, as the Argos scored points on four of five possessions. Of note, one of the great stories of the season has been kicker Brett Lauther. With a 92 percent field goal accuracy to date, he is on pace to break Riders Hall of Famer Dave Ridgeway’s team record mark of 90.6 percent set back in 1993.

Montreal Alouettes

There are not many positives to take out of a 3-10 football team, seemingly playing out the remainder of the season, but there is this; it seems Johnny Manziel is improving at the CFL quarterback level. It’s not happening rapidly, but it seems to be happening nonetheless. Manziel is coming off his best CFL game (statically) last week in a loss to the Blue Bombers. He was 18-of-25 (72 percent) for 212 yards, and an interception. He’ll make his fourth start this weekend against the Roughriders. To make matters worse for the Alouettes offence, on Tuesday they dealt veteran running back Tyrell Sutton to the B.C. Lions for a couple of draft picks, a definite sign that more veteran players will be exiting the province of Quebec.

Roughriders vs. Alouettes Prediction