Ben Kramer
• Betting Analyst
10+ years betting experience
Updated:
Jul 2, 2026 , 06:46 PM ET
• 4 min read
The Saskatchewan Roughriders look like the superior side heading into Ottawa, and a disciplined defensive effort should keep this Friday night CFL matchup below the total.
Photo By – Reuters Connect. Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris.
This series seemed to carry more weight when it was the Roughriders versus the Rough Riders but nonetheless, the Saskatchewan Roughriders will be coming to the nation’s capital as -265 favorites to face the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday night.
Saskatchewan may be missing a number of key players on offence and it could lead to both of these offences struggling despite both teams ranking in the bottom half of the league in terms of yards per play allowed on defence.
My Saskatchewan vs. Ottawa predictions and CFL Picks will take all of this into account and lean into some trends that go against the grain of the 2026 CFL season.
Who will win Roughriders vs Redblacks: Roughriders (-265)
During the Craig Dickenson era, the Saskatchewan Roughriders were winless in Ottawa from 2019 to 2023, but since installing Corey Mace as head coach in 2024, the Riders are undefeated in Ottawa with a 1-0-1 record.
Under the Mace regime, Saskatchewan is 3-0-1 versus Ottawa, with all three victories coming by five points or more.
This Roughriders team wins road games and does not lower its level of play versus weaker opponents, as they were 6-3 on the road in 2025 and 11-4 as Moneyline favorites.
Redblacks quarterback Jake Maier showed some level of competence in the second half versus the Alouettes in Week 4 but still leads the worst passing attack in the CFL at just 7.13 yards per attempt with an 89.0 passer rating.
The league average for an offence in the CFL in 2026 is 9.36 yards per pass attempt.
The line opened at -3.5, and -4.5 is about as far as I’d be willing to bet on Saskatchewan, so I’d lean into the Saskatchewan Moneyline at -265 instead.
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Roughriders vs Redblacks total prediction: Under 56.5 (+100)
With Corey Mace as Head Coach, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are undefeated versus the Ottawa Redblacks, but three of four meetings have resulted in scores under the current line of 56.5, with game totals finishing at 44, 45, 57, and 33 points.
Given how much the Ottawa offence has struggled in 2026 and taking into account the numerous injuries the Roughriders are working through at receiver and running back, I’m expecting a low-scoring affair here despite the fact that 2026 has been the season of Overs.
If the forecast for thunderstorms does manage to make an impact on the game, that’s even better.
Roughriders vs Redblacks same-game parlay
With as heavily as Overs have been hitting in the 2026 CFL season, I’m getting plus money on the Under at 56.5 to go along with the Roughriders moneyline, which helps to balance the cost of avoiding the ballooning -5.5 spread.
Unders aren’t nearly as exciting to cheer for, but at this price, it may be one of the more exciting things to hope for in what could be a slog of a game.
Roughriders vs Redblacks SGP
- Roughriders moneyline
- Under 57.5
Roughriders vs Redblacks weather
Ottawa has been dealing with persistent thunderstorms most of the week, and the forecast for game time is a 40% chance of thunderstorms with light rain and winds just 15- 20 km/h. These conditions wouldn’t affect anything in my team rates model but lightning in the area could cause temporary delays.
Roughriders vs Redblacks odds
- Spread: Roughriders -4.5 | Redblacks +4.5
- Moneyline: Roughriders -265 | Redblacks +180
- Over/Under: Over 56.5 | Under 56.5
Roughriders vs Redblacks key injuries
Saskatchewan: Jayden Dalke LB (OUT), Benoit Marion DL (OUT), Ali Saad DL (OUT), Ryder Varga LB (OUT), Jalyen Johnson WR (OUT), James Letcher Jr. KR (OUT), Samuel Emilus WR (Questionable), AJ Ouellette RB (Questionable), Dhel Duncan-Busby WR (Probable), Kian Schaffer-Baker WR (Probable).
Ottawa: King Ambers DB (OUT), Daniel Okpoko DL (OUT), Keelan White WR (GTD), Sean McEwen OL (Probable), Eugene Lewis WR (Probable).
Roughriders vs Redblacks trend
The Ottawa Redblacks are 2-8 outright over their past ten regular-season home games, and that makes the Saskatchewan Roughriders moneyline a prime target.
How to watch Roughriders vs Redblacks and game info
| Location | TD Place, Ottawa, ON |
| Date | Friday, July 3, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | TSN |
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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