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Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Toronto Argonauts Preview
The undefeated Saskatchewan Roughriders welcome the Toronto Argonauts to the Mosaic Stadium on July 4 with kick-off scheduled for 6:00 pm. Saskatchewan has enjoyed a storming start to the 2024 season under new coach Corey Mace.
The Toronto Argonauts had a slip-up in week four but look strong at 2-1 from their first three games. Can they take the zero from Saskatchewan’s record, or will the Riders continue their impressive form?
Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Toronto Argonauts Head-To-Head and Key Stats
Saskatchewan and Toronto last met in the penultimate week of the regular season in 2023. The Argos had already confirmed their best regular season finish since the expansion to 18 games, no matter the result. There was more on the line for Saskatchewan, needing a win to secure a place in the playoffs.
Despite quarterback Jake Dolegala having an incredible 429-yard game, the Riders could not match Toronto’s quality. Their inability to get anything going in the run game meant they couldn’t quite force the ball over the line when it mattered the most. The game finished 29-26 to Toronto and the Riders agonizingly missed out on the playoffs in their final game of the season.
These sides also met in week eight at Huskies Stadium. Toronto got the better of Saskatchewan on that day as well. The Argos kept them scoreless in the first half before completing a 31-13 walkover.
Saskatchewan has been one of the surprise packages in the early stages of the season. Cory Mace has led them to a 3-0 start in his rookie season as a head coach. The Riders are now +500 in the CFL betting markets to win the Grey Cup after opening at +1200. They last took to the field against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
It was the Saskatchewan defence that led the team to victory. Damarcus Fields, Jameer Thurman, and Rolan Milligan combined for three interceptions. They kept Hamilton scoreless for two quarters while running back A.J. Oullette consistently found a way through on the ground. He finished with 98 yards. Two deep passes from Trevor Harris secured touchdowns on the way to a convincing 36-20 victory for Saskatchewan.
Toronto also had a strong start to the season in 2024. They opened with a strong victory over the BC Lions, one of the early Grey Cup favourites. Ryan Dinwiddie’s team followed up with a thrilling 39-36 win over the Edmonton Elks in week two before they met the Montreal Alouettes in their most recent fixture.
The Argos never found their rhythm in the passing game against a Montreal team considered the strongest in the league. They consistently failed to take advantage of good field positions and essentially beat themselves. Toronto lost 120 yards through penalties in the game, constantly making foolish mistakes in the opposition half.
Montreal quarterback Cody Fajardo passed for 284 yards while Cameron Dukes managed just 199. The Alouettes ran out deserved winners, securing a 30-20 victory. Toronto established a strong running game. Ka’Deem Carey secured a bulk of their 103 rushing yards. Toronto would have felt there was a result to be taken had it not been for their frequent penalties.
Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Toronto Argonauts Predictions
Correct score prediction: Saskatchewan Roughriders 23-30 Toronto Argonauts
Both teams had a great start to the season. The Roughriders boast the better record at 3-0 compared to Toronto’s 2-1. However, the Argos have played considerably stronger opposition. Saskatchewan has played the Tiger-Cats and the Edmonton Elks, statistically the two worst teams in the league. In contrast, Toronto has played against the two strongest rosters in the CFL, the BC Lions and Montreal Alouettes. They beat the Leos convincingly and their defeat to Montreal was a bad day at the office. Our football prediction is for Toronto to bring the Riders back down to earth on Thursday.
Despite playing weaker teams, Saskatchewan has been susceptible to the pass. They have allowed 980 yards through the air in their opening three games. While that is nine fewer than Toronto, they have been against considerably weaker offences. Cameron Dukes has five passing touchdowns so far this season. With better receivers at his disposal, the Riders’ secondary will face a greater test than they have in their previous fixtures.
DUKES ➡️ COXIE ➡️ 🏡 pic.twitter.com/7maKvKANBY
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) June 23, 2024
Many of the Riders’ defensive stats are slightly skewed because of the opposition they have faced. They appear strong against the run, allowing just 98 yards in three games. However, they have played against two of the weakest starting running backs in the league. James Butler and Kevin Brown have notched up 156 and 140 rushing yards respectively this season. On Thursday, they face Ka’Deem Carey. He has statistically been the best RB in the CFL this season with 230 yards for an average of 76.6 per game. This will be a truer test of their run defence, and we are predicting Carey to find a way through and hurt Saskatchewan.
Toronto cannot afford to take the Riders lightly. Regardless of the opposition, coach Corey Mace has shown he has what it takes to make it in the league and has his team firing. You can only beat what is in front of you, and Saskatchewan has done that excellently. Wide receiver Shawn Bane Jr. is tied second for the most receiving touchdowns in the league at three. They are strong scorers and Toronto must prepare for the worst.
However, the biggest news coming out of the Saskatchewan camp is Trevor Harris’s injury. He has a moderate MCL sprain, placing him on the six-game injured list. The two-time Grey Cup champion has seven passing touchdowns in 2024 and has been integral to his team’s great start. His omission puts a massive dent in the Riders’ chances in this game.
Saskatchewan Roughriders vs Toronto Argonauts Betting Picks
Toronto enters this game as the moneyline favourites. A bet on the Argonauts is worth -182. We are backing them to recover from their faltering performance last week and grab the W here. Had it not been for Toronto’s constant penalties, they could have taken something from the game against Montreal. The Riders have been strong but don’t boast the level of talent needed to beat the big boys.
The Argos will take the game to Saskatchewan on the ground. They have not played against a running back at the level of Ka’Deem Carey, who is having an excellent season so far. He can expose a defence that had the luxury of playing against a poor rushing offence in their first three games. He is averaging around 76 yards per game with the ball in his hands. We like a bet on him hitting the over on his rushing yards with our online sportsbook.
While Toronto are favourites, do not rule out Saskatchewan. They can keep up with the hosts and the game will be tight. Both sides are +500 in the CFL betting markets for the Grey Cup. It won’t be plain sailing for Toronto as Saskatchewan has the home advantage. The Argos have conceded 30+ points in two of their games and allowed 27 in their season opener against the Lions. The Riders have scored 30+ in two and notched up 29 in their season opener. We like a bet on Saskatchewan to score over 21.5 points in the game, worth -114.
We also like a wager on the over/under. They set the line at 47.5. The over on that total has hit in every game of Toronto and Saskatchewan’s seasons so far. It was also hit the last time these sides met in 2023. Both sides have scored strongly while allowing a considerable number of points at the other end. We like a wager on the over for this game.
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Saskatchewan Roughriders Team News
Quarterback Trevor Harris is on the six-game injured list following an MCL sprain picked up in the game against Hamilton. Thomas Bertrand-Hudon has a head injury and is questionable to return for this fixture. Adam Auclair did not practice with a shoulder injury but should return to play against Toronto. Shawn Bane Jr. has been out of practice through a personal matter and will play on Thursday.
Toronto Argonauts Team News
Defensive back Quincy Mauger missed last week’s game against Montreal with a leg injury and has not returned to training. He will not be available for selection here. Otherwise, Toronto has a clean bill of health for Thursday evening.
