The Lions look scary good, most recently going into Montreal and cruising past the Als. And before Montreal, Michael Reilly’s club lit up Ottawa in back-to-back blowouts.

Saskatchewan’s got back in the win column after consecutive losses to the first-place Blue Bombers and the Riders seem to be getting healthier. Cody Fajardo avoided a concussion scare and started behind centre in Week 7, and veteran defensive back Ed Gainey is back practising.

Kickoff at BC Place is 10:30 p.m. EST.

CFL Odds and Betting

Saskatchewan’s taken five straight games from the Leos, and covered in six of their last six meetings but 2021’s betting trends lean toward a different outcome. BC’s a league-best 5-1 against the spread this season, and the Riders failed to cover in their lone road game in 2021.

The under’s got more of a trend behind it, with both teams 4-2 to the under this year. Each club ranks in the top four in points against, BC second with 17.7 and Saskatchewan fourth with 19.8.

Oddsmakers have the visiting Roughriders at 1.5-point favourites and the total at 47.5.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

A 30-16 win in Week 7 got the Riders back on track. William Powell lead a rushing attack that eclipsed 180 yards, Powell getting 122 of those yards. The breakout story is Kian Schaffer-Baker though, who had a game-high nine grabs and 99 receiving yards highlighted by a highlight-reel 24-yard score. Brayden Lenuis also caught his second major of the year in the dub.

The Riders got four sacks in the win to add to their league-high 20. Rookie defensive end Jonathan Woodard is tied for the league lead with six. Elsewhere, defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy is back after a one-game absence and the veteran Gainey is a possibility to play Frida

BC Lions

BC tied a CFL record with 13 pass knockdowns in Week 7, and although their defence is surrendering 364.7 net yards against per game (8th in the CFL) they’re very legit. Veterans Gary Peters and T.J. Lee make up the best boundary side defensive backs duo in the league, while newcomers Jordan Williams and Obum Gwachum have performed strong on a consistent basis.

Then on offence, Reilly should be the favourite for the MOP award. The 36-year-old has thrown one interception and has a league-best 9.8 yards per attempt.

Bottom line: both clubs rank in the top four in both points scored and points allowed, turnover ratio, and rank high in other key categories. The one outlier is penalties — BC’s taken the second-fewest penalties while Saskatchewan’s taken the most. In an even game, discipline will matter.

CFL Prediction: Who Will Win Roughriders vs. Lions?