Week 8 of the 2025 CFL season began with an upset in Calgary, as the Montreal Alouettes came back late to stop the streaking Stampeders. Tonight, two West Division rivals meet as the 1-4 Edmonton Elks visit the 5-1 Saskatchewan Roughriders (9:00 p.m. ET, CFL+).
Can the Elks give the Riders a Friday night fright in Regina? Read on for a prediction and picks for the game and see which top online sportsbooks offer the best betting value for tonight’s best bets.
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Embattled Elks Face Massive Mismatch in Week 8
The Elks have not made the CFL playoffs since 2019 and have not had a winning season since 2017, and while there are 13 games remaining this season, it is not too early to say that both of those droughts are very likely to continue through this year.
It’s one thing to be bad. It’s another to be as bad as they have been, especially on the defensive side of the ball.
Offensively, Edmonton is seventh in the league in points per game (23.6 PPG) and dead last in yards per game (300.2 YPG).
Defensively, the Elks are last in points allowed per game (34.0 PPG), last in yards allowed per game (443.6 YPG), and last against second-down conversions (57.9%). Also, opponents have an average time of possession advantage of seven minutes and 20 seconds (33:40 to 26:20), which is the worst in the CFL by almost three and a half minutes.
At least they do have one win, which came over the 1-6 Ottawa Redblacks, who also lost to the CFL’s other one-win team, the Toronto Argonauts. So, they have not been as bad as they could be, but none of this bodes well for a road tilt against one of the league’s best teams.
Edmonton Elks vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders Odds
Odds are courtesy of BetOnline.
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edmonton Elks | +8.5 (-112) | +350 | Over 54 (-115) |
| Saskatchewan Roughriders | -8.5 (-108) | -450 | Under 54 (-105) |
Elks vs. Roughriders Prediction and Picks
Last night’s win for the Alouettes counts as an upset given the -7.5 spread but was not a mismatch on paper because Montreal and Calgary are both Grey Cup contenders. Tonight’s matchup most certainly is, however.
Entering Week 8, the Roughriders were third in scoring offense (29.7 PPG) and scoring defense (25.0 PPG), second in yards per game (405.7), first in average time of possession (31:40), and second in second-down conversions (53.5%).
The one black mark against the Riders is that they are eighth in the league in yards allowed per game (384.0). But that can occur when your opponents often have to play catchup.
The Elks will be in trouble if they dig an early hole tonight. Entering this week, only Toronto’s Nick Arbuckle was lower than Elks QB Tre Ford in passing efficiency and yards per attempt among quarterbacks with 100 or more pass attempts this season. And when the Elks may find themselves in second-down situations often, Ford is just 9 for 24 (37.5%) in throws of 20+ yards in depth.
Comparatively, Roughriders QB Trevor Harris entered this week atop the league in completion percentage, yards per attempt, passing efficiency, and completion percentage in passes of 20+ yards in depth.
Additionally, Saskatchewan running back A.J. Ouelette ranked third in the league in rushing yards per game and averages 5.6 yards per carry.
So, in other words, it looks like another long night for the Elks. To date, all four of their losses have come by double digits, and they have allowed 30+ points in every game. It would be a surprise if the Roughriders don’t add to those numbers tonight.
Elks vs. Roughriders Prediction: Roughriders to win
Elks vs. Roughriders Picks: 1) Roughriders -8.5 (BetOnline) 2) Roughriders team total over 31.5 points (-115 at Bovada)
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