The Betting Perspective - SSK @ EDM

Saskatchewan (-6) @ Edmonton: TOTAL 46

The Saskatchewan Roughriders head to Edmonton to face the Elks Friday night, fresh off a win last week in Montreal.

The Riders sit in second place in the West division and the home stretch of the campaign will decide the venue of the West Semi-final. Saskatchewan quarterback Cody Fajardo has thrown 10 touchdowns against nine interceptions this season, but a huge injection of playmaking ability on the outside in Duke Williams might help the stagnant production. An issue that has repeatedly hurt the Riders at times this year has been their suspect offensive line, that group gave up six sacks to the Alouettes just last week and have allowed 31 sacks in 2021. On the other side of the ball, the Riders defense has been a constant this season, giving up 30 points just once and have held their opponents under 20 points five times in 11 games.

For the Elks, the end of the season can't come fast enough, head coach Jaime Elizondo has disappointed in his first campaign at the helm of a CFL franchise. Also under the gun is general manager Brock Sunderland, the criticism of the 5th year GM really reached a peak a couple of weeks ago after a story emerged surrounding Sunderland's handling of local sports staple Joey Moss' role around Edmonton's facilities. Quarterback Taylor Cornelius continues to struggle in his attempt to secure the starting job for the 2022 season, the Oklahoma State alum has chucked just four touchdowns in five games and has thrown six interceptions over that span.

The Riders are laying six points going into Commonwealth, a place where the Elks have strung together some putrid performances. Before the half-point cover as 10.5-point dogs against the Bombers a few weeks ago, Edmonton had only covered one spread at home in their previous ten games going back to 2019.

Riders are also 4-1 against the spread in their last five games in Edmonton.

Pick: Saskatchewan -6