CFL Betting Odds & Expert Pick: Saskatchewan vs. Toronto (Eastern Final)

Written by on November 17, 2017

The visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders will look to become the first crossover team in CFL history to reach the Grey Cup when they throw down against the Toronto Argonauts in the Eastern Division final on Sunday. The Roughriders finished fourth in the West Division but registered more wins than the third-place Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East to earn a playoff berth. Now, let’s find out if they can make history or whether the CFL betting odds favorite Argonauts are the pick to win and cash in!

Roughriders (11-8) vs. Argonauts (9-9) CFL Betting Odds & Expert Pick

  • When: Sunday, November 19, 1:00 PM ET
  • Where: BMO Field
  • TV: TSN / ESPN2
  • CFL Betting Odds: Toronto -3 (Over/Under at 53)

Weather Forecast

  • Very Cloudy: 35°F
  • Humidity: 62%
  • Wind: South-southwest 4 mph
  • Visibility: 10.0 mi

CANADIAN FOOTBALL – 2017 GREY CUP ODDS TO WIN

Recent Head to Head (Last 10 Games)

  • Record: Tied 5-5
  • Average Points Score: Saskatchewan Roughriders 29.70 / Toronto Argonauts 28.00
  • Rush Yards: Saskatchewan Roughriders 125.30 / Toronto Argonauts 81.80
  • Yards Per Rush: Saskatchewan Roughriders 6.00 / Toronto Argonauts 5.49
  • Pass Attempts: Saskatchewan Roughriders 34.30 / Toronto Argonauts 36.50
  • Completion Percentage: Saskatchewan Roughriders 63.85 / Toronto Argonauts 70.14
  • Passing Yards: Saskatchewan Roughriders 294.00 / Toronto Argonauts 297.20
  • Total Yards: Saskatchewan Roughriders 428.80 / Toronto Argonauts 388.20
  • Turnovers: Saskatchewan Roughriders 1.40 / Toronto Argonauts 1.40

Game Preview

Saskatchewan went 7-2 against East Division opponents this year and swept the regular season series against the Argonauts, including a 27-24 victory on October 7 following their 38-27 smackdown win on July 29. Toronto won its final two regular-season games to clinch its first East Division title since 2013. The Argonauts have won two straight games against West Division opponents but have dropped three straight meetings against the Roughriders and need to find a way to solve Saskatchewan’s stout defense, which has limited Toronto to an average of 20.6 points over its three-game skid. “For guys like myself and the veterans on our team, we know these moments don’t come along very often,” Toronto quarterback Ricky Ray told reporters. “You want to enjoy it as much as you can but still have the mindset that you don’t want to let this one get away.”

Why consider Saskatchewan’s CFL Betting Odds?

Why bet on the Roughriders in this contest? Well, because Saskatchewan has the better record during the regular season and is the statistically better team on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Kevin Glenn passed for 252 yards and accounted for two touchdowns in the Roughriders’ last game while running back Marcus Thigpen rushed for 169 yards and a score on 15 carries, including a 75-yard score which was Saskatchewan’s longest run in the postseason since 2006. “I told him (Glenn) myself that I want to win a Grey Cup for him,” Thigpen told reporters. “I’ve never won a championship in football in my life and I want it as bad as he does.” Offensive lineman Brendon LaBatte returned to practice after missing the Eastern semifinal with a leg injury and could play against the Argonauts while safety Marc-Olivier Brouillette is set to return to the lineup following the birth of his son.

Team Statistics

Offense
  • Points: 28.47
  • Passing Yards: 276.63
  • Rush Yards: 88.95
Defense
  • Points: 23.68
  • Passing yards allowed: 271.16
  • Rushing yards allowed: 94.32
  • Turnover differential: -0.37

Why consider Toronto’s CFL Betting Odds?

Why Bet on Toronto in this matchup? Because they’re playing their best football of the season at just the right time and can absolutely explode on their opponents when you least expect it. Toronto is favored by the CFL Betting Odds for the Eastern Final. Quarterback Ricky Ray passed for 341 yards and three touchdowns against British Columbia the last time out to finish the regular season with 5,546 passing yards, which was the second-highest total of his 15-year career. James Wilder Jr. ran rampant and wild down the stretch as he accumulated 1,441 total yards and five touchdowns in his last six games, including 227 yards from scrimmage against the Lions. Veteran wide receiver S.J. Green had a career year as he hauled in 104 passes for 1,462 yards and 10 touchdowns to become the fourth player in franchise history to surpass 100 receptions.

Team Statistics

Offense
  • Points: 26.78
  • Passing Yards: 305.94
  • Rush Yards: 90.22
Defense
  • Points: 25.33
  • Passing yards allowed: 251.56
  • Rushing yards allowed: 82.78
  • Turnover differential: -0.17

Latest CFL Betting Trends

  • Roughriders are 4-2 ATS in their last 6 games
  • Roughriders are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games
  • The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Saskatchewan’s last 5 games
  • Argonauts are 8-17 ATS in their last 25 games
  • Argonauts are 5-2 SU in their last 7 games
  • The total has gone OVER in 6 of Toronto’s last 7 games

Expert Analysis and Prediction

I’m going to get right to the point by saying that I really like the Saskatchewan Roughriders to get the win in this contest. Saskatchewan has gone a perfect 4-0 ATS in their last 4 Division Finals games, an impressive 6-1-1 ATS in their last 8 playoff road games and 5-1-2 ATS in their last 8 playoff games. Toronto is an uninspiring 3-7 ATS in their last 10 games following a straight up win, 2-9 ATS vs. a team with a winning record and nearly winless1-5 ATS in their last 6 Division Finals games. With the Roughriders are an inspiring 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings in Toronto and robust 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings, I like Saskatchewan to get it done in this one! Pick: Saskatchewan +3