Two of the West's best collide at Mosaic Stadium as the Roughriders try to prove they're the real deal against an Elks team that just won't lose.
Game Details
- Matchup: Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Edmonton Elks
- When: Thursday, July 23 at 9:00 PM ET
- Where: Mosaic Stadium, Regina
- TV: TSN
- Stream: Watch live on CFL+
Odds
- Spread: Saskatchewan Roughriders -4
- Moneyline: Saskatchewan Roughriders -218, Edmonton Elks +180
- Over/Under: 58
Saskatchewan has been a solid bet all year at 3-1-1 against the spread with three overs, while Edmonton sits at 3-2 ATS and has trended under in four of six games.
Overview
This is as close to a division title eliminator as you'll find in July. The Elks roll into Regina at 5-1, tied atop the West with Montreal for best record in the league, while the Roughriders sit right behind at 4-1 with a two-game win streak and the league's stingiest defense, allowing just 133 points through five games. Whoever wins Thursday night takes real control of the West race, and with both teams carrying winning streaks into Mosaic Stadium, this has the feel of a game that gets chippy fast.
Saskatchewan has been rolling since a Week 4 hiccup against Toronto, blowing out Hamilton 38-7 and grinding past Ottawa 27-22 the two weeks prior. Head coach Corey Mace credited a second-half defensive explosion for the Hamilton win, and that defense — anchored by Jameer Thurman and Antoine Brooks Jr. at linebacker — has been the story of this team's turnaround. Edmonton, meanwhile, keeps finding ways to win ugly. Their last two wins have come by a combined six points, including a wild 19-17 escape over BC where Chase Brice threw four picks and the Elks defense made every one count. That's now four interceptions forced in back-to-back weeks for an Elks secondary that has been opportunistic all season.
The edge here goes to Saskatchewan, and it's not close. This team is protecting the football, playing lights-out defense at home, and getting timely offense from Trevor Harris even on nights when he starts slow. Edmonton has won with turnovers and grit, but a patchwork offensive line and a receiving corps that's been in flux — with Joseph Robustelli landing on six-game injury and David Beard and Jordan Williams both banged up — make it tough to trust Cody Fajardo on the road against this Riders front seven. This is Saskatchewan's game to lose.
Key Players
- Trevor Harris (Saskatchewan Roughriders, QB) — The 14-year vet has quietly steadied this offense, and he's been at his best late in games this season.
- Cody Fajardo (Edmonton Elks, QB) — 147-of-210 for 1,781 yards and 9 TDs, but he's been protected by a shaky O-line dealing with multiple injuries.
- A.J. Ouellette (Saskatchewan Roughriders, RB) — Just activated off reserve, he gives the Riders a physical downhill presence to control the clock.
- Justin Rankin (Edmonton Elks, RB) — 74 carries for 522 yards and 6 touchdowns, he's the engine that keeps Edmonton's offense afloat.
- KeeSean Johnson (Saskatchewan Roughriders, WR) — 36 catches for 479 yards and 3 scores, he's Harris's most trusted target on third down.
Keys to the Game
- Saskatchewan's front seven needs to get after Fajardo early and force him into the kind of mistakes Edmonton's own defense has been feasting on.
- Establish Ouellette on the ground to keep Edmonton's defense honest and protect a Riders offensive line that's already down Darius Bell.
- Don't let Edmonton hang around — this Elks team has proven all season it can win close, ugly games, so Saskatchewan needs to close it out early.
Injury Report
| Player | Team | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Thomas Bertrand-Hudon (RB) | Saskatchewan Roughriders | Available |
| Darius Bell (OL) | Saskatchewan Roughriders | Out |
| Dylan Djete (WR) | Saskatchewan Roughriders | Out |
| Jaylen Johnson (WR) | Saskatchewan Roughriders | Available |
| Nelson Lokombo (DB) | Saskatchewan Roughriders | Out |
| Benoit Marion (DL) | Saskatchewan Roughriders | Available |
| Rolan Milligan Jr. (DB) | Saskatchewan Roughriders | Questionable |
| Morgen Runge (FB) | Saskatchewan Roughriders | Out |
| Mathew Sexton (WR) | Saskatchewan Roughriders | Out |
| Ryder Varga (LB) | Saskatchewan Roughriders | Out |
Depth Chart
Saskatchewan Roughriders starters by position, built from the Saskatchewan Roughriders depth-chart data provided. This table is for the Saskatchewan Roughriders ONLY — no opponent depth chart is included. This is a projected chart and may not reflect mid-season changes.
| Position | Saskatchewan Roughriders |
|---|---|
| QB | Trevor Harris, Jack Coan, Tommy Stevens |
| RB | A.J. Ouellette, Thomas Bertrand-Hudon |
| FB | Albert Awachie |
| WR | KeeSean Johnson, Dhel Duncan-Busby |
| SB | Kian Schaffer-Baker / D'Sean Mimbs, Johnny Johnson III, Samuel Emilus / Daniel Wiebe |
| LT | Payton Collins |
| LG | Zack Fry / Daniel Johnson |
| C | Logan Ferland |
| RG | Jacob Brammer |
| RT | Jermarcus Hardrick |
| DE (Weak) | Liam Hoskins / Benoit Marion / Desmond Evans |
| DT | Caleb Sanders |
| DT | Devin Adams / Mike Rose |
| DE (Strong) | Jaylen Pate / James Vaughters |
| WLB | Nick Wiebe / Josh Woods |
| MLB | David Gbenda / Aubrey Miller Jr. / Jameer Thurman |
| SLB | Melique Straker / Antoine Brooks Jr. |
| CB (Weak) | Marcus Sayles |
| CB (Strong) | Malcolm Bell / Tevaughn Campbell |
| HB | Jonathan Edouard / Rolan Milligan Jr., DaMarcus Fields |
| FS | Kerfalla Exumé / Jaxon Ford |
| K | Alex Hale |
| P | Oscar Chapman |
| LS | Mike Benson |
Score Prediction
Saskatchewan Roughriders 31 - Edmonton Elks 27. The Riders' defense has been the best in the league all year and gets home cooking against a Fajardo-led offense playing behind a banged-up line, while Ouellette and the ground game do just enough to keep Edmonton's defense from getting comfortable in a game that lives up to the over.
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