For the Montreal Alouettes, each week brings them closer to the eventual return of Davis Alexander. Unfortunately, each week also brings them further away from a potential CFL playoff spot. That looks set to continue this week as the Alouettes close out Week 15 vs. the Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium in Regina (7:00 p.m. ET, CFL+).
With the 8-5 Hamilton Tiger-Cats the lone .500 or better team in the East Division, the Alouettes have remained in a playoff spot despite not winning since July 24. But with the Toronto Argonauts starting to heat up (and with Chad Kelly now healthy enough to be activated), Montreal’s hold on second in the East looks much more tenuous.
Last week, they dropped their fifth straight game, a 26-9 setback to the Ti-Cats. Four of those losses have come at home, and you can’t help but wonder how much different the results would have been with Alexander on the field.
The losing streak started with a 34-6 home loss vs. the Roughriders in Week 9, and it looks likely to continue through today’s rematch. If it does, the 10-2 Riders will become the first team to clinch a playoff spot, with six weeks still remaining in the regular season.
Can Montreal somehow make things interesting? Or is another ugly loss ahead? Read on for our Alouettes vs. Roughriders prediction and picks. Also, see the best value betting odds for those picks from top online sportsbooks such as BetOnline.
Montreal Alouettes vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Over/Under |
|---|---|---|---|
| Montreal Alouettes | +7.5 (-110) | +280 | Over 49.5 (-105) |
| Saskatchewan Roughriders | -7.5 (-110) | -350 | Under 49.5 (-115) |
Alouettes vs. Roughriders Betting Trends
- The Alouettes are 4-0 SU and 3-1 ATS this season in games started by Davis Alexander and 1-7 SU and ATS in games started by other quarterbacks.
- Montreal is 1-4 SU and ATS as an underdog this season.
- The under is 6-2 in games in which the Alouettes have been without Alexander.
- The Roughriders are 5-1 SU and 3-3 ATS at home this season.
- Saskatchewan is 3-1 SU and 1-3 ATS this season when favored by five or more points.
- The under has hit in three of the Roughriders’ last four home games and four of their last five overall games.
Alouettes vs. Roughriders Prediction and Picks
Prediction: Roughriders to win
Montreal’s offense has been downright offensive during this losing streak, and unless something miraculous occurs, that will once again be the case this week.
With McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Caleb Evans, and James Morgan at quarterback during this rotten run, the Alouettes have averaged just 251 total yards per game.
Last week, they managed just 254 yards, 14 first downs, and three field goals against the Ti-Cats, who had allowed 35 points and 449 yards (vs. Toronto), 29 points and 417 yards (at Saskatchewan), and 41 points and 527 yards (vs. BC) in losing their prior three games.
Is there any realistic hope for improvement for the Alouettes vs. the Roughriders? Don’t bank on it. Saskatchewan allowed just 12 first downs and 191 total yards when the two teams met at Molson Stadium on August 2, and that was with McLeod Bethel-Thompson, seemingly the best of the Alouettes’ non-Alexander options.
Bethel-Thompson will resume starting duties tonight after not playing the last three and a half games. He takes over for James Morgan, who certainly tried his best. But in three games, he averaged just 5.9 yards per pass attempt, completed just 59.1% of his passes, and threw four interceptions (and just two touchdown passes).
That the Alouettes are next to last in the CFL in rushing yards per game and attempt also doesn’t help, though rookie RB Travis Theis did provide a small spark with 70 yards on nine carries against Hamilton.
Ultimately, even with Bethel-Thompson back in, it looks likely to be another long evening for the Alouettes. The Roughriders have the CFL’s best record because they have both one of the league’s best offenses and one of the league’s best defenses, and that means more misery is in the forecast for Montreal.
Alouettes vs. Roughriders Picks
1) Roughriders -7.5 (-110 at BetOnline)
This number is at -7 at some other sportsbooks, as it seems like oddsmakers are trying to still give the Alouettes some respect for who they could be and not who they are right now.
It’s entirely possible that Bethel-Thompson could ball out vs. the Roughriders and give the Alouettes a big lift, but it’s hard to see based on how poor he was when these two teams last met and when Montreal appears to have no confidence on either side of the ball right now.
Even with the hook in mind and a better spread available elsewhere, I’m rolling with the best price. This should not be a close game if the Roughriders play as they have against just about everyone outside of the Calgary Stampeders this season.
2) Montreal Alouettes Under 20.5 Points (-115 at Bovada)
Again, anything is possible. But for a team that has scored more than 20 points just twice without Alexander to manage to do that against a team that is tops in the CFL in scoring defense would be going strongly against the odds.
3) Trevor Harris Over 261.5 Passing Yards (-115 at Lucky Rebel)
After completing at least 70% of his passes in his first eight starts this season, Harris has had a drop-off in his last three games, completing just 61.7% (50 of 81) of his passes. Against Winnipeg last week, he completed a season-low 58.1% of his passes and failed to throw a touchdown pass for the first time all season.
Look for him to shake off those recent struggles and have a solid game against Montreal. In the Week 9 win vs. the Alouettes, Harris was 19 for 27 for 289 yards and two touchdowns.
Other CFL Betting Information
At Betting News, you can find CFL predictions and expert picks each week for matchups like today’s Alouettes vs. Roughriders matchup.
Bookmark the site to keep up with our CFL content and be sure to check out our social media channels for even more CFL betting insight, as well as our takes and tips for the NFL and college football.