The Montreal Alouettes will host the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday to kick off week 8 of the CFL. Both teams currently sit atop their divisions with 5-1 records.

The Alouettes will be without quarterback Cody Fajardo for some time after he left the game early in week 5 with an apparent leg injury. Fajardo was placed on the 6-game injured list on Wednesday. Saskatchewan will be without a key piece on their offense as well as running back A.J. Ouellette will miss this game due to a hip injury.

CFL Power Rankings Week 7

Predictions: CFL News Hub Writers’ Week 8 Picks

Game Details:

Date/Location: Thursday, July 25 /Percival Molson Memorial Stadium, Montreal, QC

Kickoff Time: 7:30 PM ET, 4:30 PM PT

Channel: TSN (Canada), CFL+ (USA, Global)

Odds: 

Spread: Montreal -3.5 (-105), Saskatchewan +3.5 (-105)

Moneyline: Montreal -172, Saskatchewan +142

Over/Under: 48.5 (Over -110, Under -110)

Montreal Alouettes: Montreal was on a 13-game winning streak prior to their loss in week 6 which saw them fall 18-37 to the Toronto Argonauts. Montreal will look to get the wins rolling in again Thursday night at home but they will be without starting quarterback Cody Fajardo who is now on the 6-game injured list. Instead, it will be Caleb Evans getting the start at quarterback for Montreal. Last week he completed 12 of his 22 passes for 127 yards and 2 touchdowns with 2 interceptions. Montreal will also be without receiver Kaion Julien-Grant who is out this week due to a shoulder injury and is also on the 6-game injured list.

Saskatchewan Roughriders: The Saskatchewan Roughriders are coming off a 19-9 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at home. This week will be quarterback Shea Patterson’s 4th start in the CFL who has been playing well in the absence of Trevor Harris who is on the 6-game injured list. Last week Shea Patterson completed 17 of his 25 passes for 261 yards and a touchdown and added 35 yards on the ground. Patterson is 2-1 as a starter thus far.

Alouettes Keys to the Game

Lockdown Pass Coverage

Montreal has arguably been the best defense against the pass since the start of the 2023 season. If Montreal can prevent receivers from getting open they will greatly increase the chances of Saskatchewan’s up and coming quarterback potentially trying to force some passes and making some risky throws.

Deny Run Support

Saskatchewan is without running back A.J. Ouellette for this contest and instead will start Frankie Hickson. It will be key to limit the run support provided for Shea Patterson leading to more riding on his back.

Involve the Run Game

In week 5’s loss, Montreal handed the ball off to Walter Fletcher just 5 times but he still managed to accumulate 60 yards thanks to a 50-yard rush. Anytime you have a less experienced quarterback playing you can greatly improve their chance for success by providing a lot of run support to ensure they do not have too much asked of them.

Receivers Getting Open Quickly

Saskatchewan’s pass rush is formidable. It will be key for Montreal’s receivers to get open quickly so that Caleb Evans can make quick passes. Montreal has ran a lot of screen plays in which Tyson Philpot catches a pass near the sideline behind the line of scrimmage and it’s a big reason he leads the league in YAC at 277.

5 Alouettes to Watch

#17 WR Cole Spieker

Spieker led the team in receiving in each of the last 2 games. In week 5 he caught 6 passes for 70 yards.

#14 WR Charleston Rambo

Rambo was 2nd in receiving last game as he caught 4 passes for 53 yards and a touchdown.

#31 LB Titus Wall

In week 5 Wall made an impact all over the field as led the team in tackles with 8. He was involved in 2 shared run stops and a shared pass stop.

#94 DT Mustafa Johnson

Johnson had 2 sacks and 4 QB hurries in week 5.

#91 DE Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund

In week 5 Adeyemi-Berglund recorded 4 tackles and a sack and 5 additional pressures. He made an impact in run stopping as he had 3 solo run stops and was in on a shared run stop.

5 Roughriders to Watch

#80 WR Ajou Ajou

Last week the Canadian rookie led the team in receiving as he caught 4 passes for 110 yards.

#19 WR Samuel Emilus

Last week Emilus caught 6 passes for 53 yards. He currently leads the team in receiving with 29 catches for 379 yards and 2 touchdowns.

#20 RB Frankie Hickson

Hickson will start at running back on Thursday for Saskatchewan. He has rushed 121 times for 696 yards (5.75 average) with 1 touchdown since joining the CFL with Saskatchewan in 2022.

#0 HB Rolan Milligan Jr.

Milligan leads the team in tackles with 38 and in interceptions with 4 so far this season.

#4 DT Micah Johnson

Johnson leads the team in sacks so far this season with 3 and frequently is a problem for opposing interior offensive linemen as he generates pressure in the pass rush.

Injury Report:

Depth Charts:

Score Prediction:

I am predicting a hard-fought defensive match in which Montreal is not quite able to weather the absence of Cody Fajardo. Saskatchewan 24-20.

@JonathanClink on Twitter