Ben Kramer
• Betting Analyst
10+ years betting experience
Updated:
Aug 1, 2026 , 01:57 PM ET
• 4 min read
Although tickets are selling like hot cakes ahead of tonight’s matchup at Commonwealth Stadium, Ben Kramer breaks down why the defending Grey Cup champs will spoil the party in Edmonton as -135 favorites.
Photo By – Reuters Connect. Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris (7).
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are -1.5 road favorites on the back end of their home-and-home series with the Edmonton Elks tonight.
Edmonton won the series opener 36-34 on a last-second 57-yard field goal, stunning the home crowd in Regina.
Our Roughriders vs. Elks predictions and CFL picks lean on two high-powered passing attacks to press the pace on Saturday, August 1.
Who will win Roughriders vs Elks tonight: Roughriders moneyline (-135)
This game opened with the Edmonton Elks as -1.5 point CFL odds favorites but swung three points in the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ direction on Friday morning to make the Riders -1.5 point road favorites despite having starting RB A.J. Ouellette out of the lineup and listing WR Samuel Emilus as a GTD.
This series is a dead heat at 5-5 over their last ten meetings, and I expect Saskatchewan to even up the season series on Saturday after losing by a razor-thin margin in Week 8.
Edmonton projects for the second-highest YPA (9.72) of any team this week and should be poised to take advantage of an injured Riders secondary for the second week in a row.
My model projects Saskatchewan to have the highest offensive play count on the slate (57.92), and that kind of ball control is helpful with a crowd of over 30,000 expected in Edmonton.
I’ll take the Riders in another narrow win on the moneyline.
I wouldn’t pay any more than -135 and might hope for better given how slippery line movement has been this week.
Enjoying Covers content? Add us as a preferred source on your Google account 
Roughriders vs Elks total prediction: Over 58.5 (-115)
It’s hard to rely on historical data here in this matchup, as Edmonton has been so bad over the past number of years, with no identity on offense and some of the league’s worst quarterback play, but those issues now seem to be in the rearview mirror.
Their matchup last week ended in a 70-point game, and both defenses enter this game with multiple players sidelined by injury.
Both offenses project for over a 63% pass rate, which should keep the pace high and increase the big-play scoring opportunities.
I’d feel alright betting this total up to 59.5, but given the chance of stormy weather late in the game, I wouldn’t want to push it any further.
COVERS INTEL: No matchup projects more combined offensive plays this week (113.1), and more plays mean more points to push the Over at 58.5.
Roughriders vs Elks same-game parlay
Saskatchewan’s path to the win runs through the same up-tempo, pass-first script that pushes the total.
The Riders project to control the ball, and the pass rates suggest the offenses will stay aggressive, which should lead to the score continuing to climb.
Another high-scoring finish is the likeliest outcome, and +244 pays fairly for stacking a narrow Rider win with the Over at 58.5.
Roughriders vs Elks SGP
Roughriders moneyline
Over 58.5
Roughriders vs Elks weather
The forecast for game time in Edmonton is for temperatures around 30C with low winds from 10-20kph.
There is a threat of thunderstorms and increasingly heavy rain as the evening wears on, so there is a chance the game bogs down late.
Roughriders vs Elks odds
Spread: Roughriders -135 | Elks +105
Moneyline: Roughriders -1.5 (-120) | Elks +1.5 (-115)
Over/Under: Over 58.5 (-110) | Under 58.5 (-110)
Roughriders vs Elks key injuries
Roughriders: Samuel Emilus WR (Questionable), A.J. Oullette RB (Out), Rolan Milligan Jr. DB (Out), Darius Bell OL (Out), Zack Fry OL (Out), Nelson Lokombo DB (Out).
Elks: Jared Brinkman DL (Questionable), Nick Anderson LB (Doubtful), Jacob Plamondon FB (Out).
Roughriders vs Elks trend
Seven of the last ten meetings between these teams have been one-score games, with four decided by three points or fewer.
How to watch Roughriders vs Elks and game info
Location
Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton, AB
Date
Saturday, August 1, 2026
Kick-off
7 p.m. ET
TV
TSN
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
Affiliate Disclosure: Our team of experts has thoroughly researched and handpicked each product that appears on our website. We may receive compensation if you sign up through our links.
Pages related to this topic