Through the first 12 weeks of the CFL season, the Calgary Stampeders are the only team to have the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ number. After suffering their second loss to the Stampeders, the Roughriders will look to rebound this week in a Labour Day Classic rivalry matchup with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. This evening’s Blue Bombers vs. Roughriders matchup is set for 7:00 p.m. ET (5:00 p.m. local), and U.S. viewers can tune in on CBS Sports Network.
With the Stampeders (7-3) shutting down the Roughriders (8-2) at McMahon Stadium eight days ago, the West Division has tightened up. It could get even tighter if the Blue Bombers (6-4) can win tonight in Regina.
This is the first of back-to-back matchups between these two teams, who will meet at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg next Saturday (4:00 p.m. ET, CFL+). By this time next week, the West Division race could look drastically different, especially with the Stampeders facing the Edmonton Elks, who sit at the bottom of the West Division standings, twice in six days.
Will the Roughriders defend their home turf this evening and get back in the win column? Or will the Blue Bombers continue their recent dominance in this rivalry? Read on for our Roughriders vs. Blue Bombers prediction and picks and get the best betting value from BetOnline and other top online sportsbooks.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winnipeg Blue Bombers | +4.5 (-110) | +180 | Over 51.5 (-115) |
| Saskatchewan Roughriders | -4.5 (-110) | -210 | Under 51.5 (-105) |
Blue Bombers vs. Roughriders Betting Trends
- The Blue Bombers are 3-1 ATS in their last four games.
- Winnipeg is 2-3 SU and 3-2 ATS on the road this season.
- The over has hit seven times in the Blue Bombers’ ten games this season, but all three unders have come on the road.
- The Roughriders are 4-1 SU and 3-2 ATS at home this season.
- Saskatchewan is 7-3 ATS overall this season.
- The last time the Roughriders failed to cover in consecutive weeks was Weeks 13 and 14 last season, when they lost and didn’t cover at home and then on the road to the Blue Bombers.
- The under has hit in the Roughriders’ last four games and is 3-2 in Saskatchewan’s home games this season.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders Prediction and Picks
Blue Bombers vs. Roughriders Prediction: Roughriders to win
Blue Bombers vs. Roughriders Picks:
- Roughriders -4 (-110 at Lucky Rebel)
- Blue Bombers/Roughriders over 51.5 (-115 at BetOnline)
- Trevor Harris over 289.5 passing yards (-115 at Bovada)
Last week, the Roughriders overcame a rough start to take a 15-14 lead into halftime in Calgary.
But their go-ahead touchdown in the final minute of the first half proved to be their last points of the game, as the Stampeders shut them out 18-0 in the second half to win 32-15.
Trevor Harris had his worst game of the season at McMahon Stadium, completing only 15 of 23 passes for 205 yards and throwing two interceptions along with two touchdown passes.
It was the first time all season that Harris had thrown multiple interceptions or completed less than 70% of his passes, and the 205 yards were a season low for Harris, who was 36 for 44 for 425 yards in Saskatchewan’s Week 6 loss to Calgary and went into last week’s game completing 75.5% of his passes and averaging 311.3 passing yards per game.
It was a very forgettable performance for Harris and the Roughriders, who went in averaging 408.3 yards per game and more than 7.6 yards per play offensively but tallied only 318 yards at a clip of 5.7 yards per play against the Stampeders.
Fortunately, things should run more smoothly for the Roughriders vs. the Blue Bombers in this matchup. Winnipeg does lead or sit near the top of the CFL in numerous pass defense and overall defensive categories, but they are tied with the Toronto Argonauts for the second most 30+ yard pass plays allowed this season.
Last Five Winnipeg vs. Saskatchewan Head-to-Head Meetings
- November 9, 2024 (Winnipeg): Blue Bombers 38-22
- September 7, 2024 (Winnipeg): Blue Bombers 26-21
- September 1, 2024 (Regina): Blue Bombers 35-33
- July 19, 2024 (Regina): Roughriders 19-9
- September 9, 2023 (Winnipeg): Blue Bombers 51-6
That could pose a problem against KeeSean Johnson and Dohnte Meyers. Johnson entered this week fourth in the CFL in both receptions (55) and receiving yards (794), while Meyers entered this week third in 30+ yard receptions (8).
Winnipeg is coming off of a productive performance in a 26-13 win at Montreal, in which they accumulated 263 passing yards and 176 rushing yards. The Blue Bombers have scored 26 or more points in each of their last four games and are 20-1 the last 21 times they have hit that number.
It will be a tough ask for the Blue Bombers to do that vs. the Roughriders in Regina, but I think we’ll see enough offense on both sides for the over to hit. This matchup features two elite veteran quarterbacks, two of the CFL’s better running backs in Winnipeg’s Brady Oliveira and Saskatchewan’s A.J. Oullette, and talented pass-catchers on both sides. So, some fireworks should be expected.
As for who will come out on top, the Blue Bombers have had a hefty upper hand in this rivalry, winning 12 of the last 14 meetings vs. the Roughriders, including each of the last three. And it’s worth noting that they have scored 26+ points in each of their last seven wins against Saskatchewan.
But this is the best Riders squad in some time, and last week’s loss doesn’t diminish the fact that they are a bona fide Grey Cup contender. Look for them to bounce back from last week’s loss with a big rivalry win in Regina.
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