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David Bastl
Roughriders vs. RedBlacks Prediction: CFL Week 2 Point Spread, Odds
The Roughriders will be playing their second consecutive game on the road and against an East division opponent when they met the Redblacks on Thursday night. Saskatchewan will be missing a key ingredient to their offence, but will feature a big piece to their lineup as William Powell returns to Ottawa for the first time since leaving the Nation’s Capital in free agency.
Betting Analysis
The Roughriders are notoriously slow starters in the month of June, as they are 2-5 against the spread in the last seven games in the month, including 1-4 ATS in their last five June road games.
The Redblacks are the exact opposite; going 7-1 ATS in the last eight games in the month of June.
Head-to-head, the Roughriders are 1-4 ATS in their last five games against the Redblacks. The over is a strong 6-2 in the last eight games between these two teams.
Last season Ottawa swept the home and home series, and went over the total in both games.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
The Riders received the worst possible news earlier this week when it was announced that starting Quarterback Zach Collaros would be placed on the six week injury list. Collaros took a nasty hit from Simoni Lawrence on the third play of the game.
Veteran back-up Cody Fajardo and rookie Isaac Harker have been splitting snaps in practice this week. On Tuesday, the Riders named Fajardo the starter for this game.
One thing for certain, running back William Powell will see the ball even more this week in the absence of Collaros. Powell carried the ball 20 times for 104 yards in the loss to Hamilton last week and caught two passes in the loss. Marcus Thigpen will also play a larger role in this week’s game as has both running and pass catching abilities.
Ottawa RedBlacks
Here’s a headline you won’t see often; Quarterback Dominique Davis threw four interceptions in the win. The Redblacks surprised everyone, including themselves with a big 32-28 win in Calgary in week one. Davis didn’t play his best game of the season, but did rush for three touchdowns in the victory.
Running back Mossis Madu Jr. was a big story, rushing for 112 yards on 24 carries. The Redblacks offensive line is excited about the “ground and pound” game, and it likely will continue in the coming weeks. “I really liked our offensive line in training camp,” said Redblacks coach Rick Campbell. “It is a big deal to be able to run the ball, it slows the defence down and it wears them down.” The Roughriders rush defence will prove to be a bigger test for the Redblacks compared to the Stampeders in week one.
SSK
OTT