The biggest rivalry in the CFL is here as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are set to take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 7 action.
Despite Winnipeg entering this divisional tilt as a winner of two straight, my Blue Bombers vs. Roughriders predictions expect Saskatchewan’s star running back to run wild on Friday night.
Let’s get into it with my CFL picks for July 19.
Blue Bombers vs Roughriders prediction
My best bet
A.J. Ouellette Over 68.5 rushing yards (-114 at FanDuel)
My analysis
One of the biggest splashes in CFL free agency came when two-time East All-Star A.J. Ouellette signed a two-year contract with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Although the 28-year-old has yet to break the 100-yard rushing plateau this season, the team will need him more and more down the stretch.
Starting quarterback Trevor Harris remains on the IL with a left knee MCL sprain, and backup Shea Patterson has proven vulnerable when thrust into a pass-heavy game script. Enter Ouellette, who put in his best performance of the season by rushing for 72 yards on just 12 carries last week.
I fully anticipate that momentum to carry into Friday’s matchup against the rival Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Although the defending West Division champs remain stingy against the pass, the Bombers rank dead-last in rushing yards allowed per game (117.8), including giving up 5.1 yards per attempt.
Ouellette is averaging 15.8 carries per game, and that kind of workload should be more than enough to hit the Over against this leaky Winnipeg interior.
Blue Bombers vs Roughriders same-game parlay (SGP)
A.J. Ouellette Over 68.5 rushing yards
A.J. Ouellette anytime touchdown
Brady Oliveira Under 68.5 rushing yards
Along with our best bet, I’m taking Ouellette to find the back of the end zone. The former Grey Cup champ reached paydirt twice in Saskatchewan’s Week 6 loss to BC and will maintain a big role in the Riders’ red zone attack with Harris sidelined.
Meanwhile, Saskatchewan’s defense has been suffocating against the run, allowing just 47.4 yards per game and 3.5 yards per carry. Expect the Riders’ stop unit to keep Winnipeg RB Brady Oliveira at bay and force QB Zach Collaros to throw to a thin receiving corps decimated by injuries.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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