Week 13 in the CFL features the Labour Day Classic showdown between the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Riders are coming off a bye after upsetting BC, but they'll have their work cut out for them against a Winnipeg squad that has won five in a row.
This is a rivalry that hasn't been competitive lately, with Saskatchewan failing to defeat Winnipeg since 2019. Oddsmakers don't expect that to change this week, as CFL betting lines opened with the Bombers as 7.5-point road favorites. Here are my best free Blue Bombers vs. Roughriders CFL picks and predictions for September 3.
Blue Bombers vs Roughriders best odds
Blue Bombers vs Roughriders picks and predictions
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are fresh off a bye week after a surprise victory against the Lions, but this line seems like a bit of an overreaction to Jake Dolegala's first start at quarterback in that contest.
Dolegala has rare size for a CFL QB (checking in at 6-foot-7 and 242 pounds) and a big arm, but he struggles with his accuracy and ball security remains a question mark. He looked awful when he replaced injured backup QB Mason Fine in Week 10, and his lack of experience will be exposed by a Winnipeg Blue Bombers defense that brings plenty of pressure and forces turnovers.
Keep in mind that the Riders were 10-point home underdogs against BC, and the Bombers are better and more balanced on both sides of the ball than the Lions. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan was a 7-point home underdog when it hosted the Bombers back in Week 2, and that was with starting QB Trevor Harris under center. Harris had a spectacular performance in that contest, throwing for 415 yards and three scores, and the Riders still lost by 18 points.
It's a bit surprising that the line has moved just half a point with the largely untested Dolegala in for the veteran Harris. Especially when you consider that the Bombers are on a five-game winning streak and have dominated this rivalry in recent years.
Winnipeg has won each of the last eight meetings between these West Division foes, and their last three victories have all come by more than two touchdowns. Back them to roll again on Saturday.
My best bet: Blue Bombers -7 (-108 at Pinnacle)
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Blue Bombers vs Roughriders spread and Over/Under analysis
The line opened with the Bombers installed as 7.5-point favorites and has seen minimal movement, while the total has ticked up ever so slightly from 46.5 to 47.
The Bombers are 9-2 and can clinch a playoff spot with a win this weekend. They are 5-0 straight-up in their last five games, although they have covered the spread just twice during that span. That said, when they failed to cover the spread against the Stamps in Week 11, they were playing without two-time reigning CFL MOP Zach Collaros.
Collaros returned to the lineup last week, and despite an uncharacteristically sloppy performance from him (three interceptions including a pair of pick-sixes), they destroyed the Alouettes 47-17.
The Riders beat the Leos last week, but that was just their second win in their last six games. They are 2-4-1 ATS in their previous seven contests.
It will be interesting to see if Dolegala can continue playing well until Harris returns or even claim the job long-term. Dolegala played well in garbage time against the Argos in Week 8 but looked awful when coming on in relief for injured backup Mason Fine in Week 10.
After a week of preparing with the first-team offense he looked much sharper in Week 11, completing 18 of 29 passes for 239 yards with three touchdowns and no interceptions. His ability to stretch the field vertically should lead to a less conservative offense for the Riders, who struggled to attack downfield with Fine.
Blue Bombers vs Roughriders trend to know
The Bomber have gone 8-0 straight-up and 6-2 against the spread in the last eight games in the head-to-head. Find more CFL betting trends for Blue Bombers vs. Roughriders.
Blue Bombers vs Roughriders game info
| Location: | Mosaic Stadium, Regina, SK |
| Date: | Sunday, September 3, 2023 |
| Kickoff: | 7:00 p.m. ET |
| TV: | TSN |
Blue Bombers vs Roughriders key injuries
Blue Bombers: Drew Wolitarsky WR (Questionable), Janarion Grant WR/KR (Out).
Roughriders: Nelson Lokombo DB (Questionable), Mason Fine QB (Out), Trevor Harris QB (Out), Rolan Milligan Jr. DB (Out), Jerald Hawkins OT (Out)
Find our latest CFL injury reports.
