The Canadian Football League lifts the lid on its 2025 campaign Thursday night as the Ottawa Redblacks travel west to face the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Mosaic Stadium. Kickoff is set for 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Both clubs reached the play-offs last season and have spent the winter reinforcing key areas, setting the stage for an intriguing opener. Here, we break down this Ottawa Redblacks vs Saskatchewan Roughriders matchup and give you my top pick for the game.
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Ottawa Redblacks vs Saskatchewan Roughriders Game Preview
Ottawa’s offense now rests firmly on the arm of Dru Brown, who threw for 3,959 yards with 18 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in his first year as a full-time starter. The 28-year-old extended his contract through 2026 and will debut a fresh backfield partner after the club signed 1,175-yard rusher William Stanback in January. Brown’s trusted target Justin Hardy is back as well; the sure-handed veteran led the league with 97 catches and piled up 1,343 yards despite missing two games. Add second-year burner Khalil Pimpleton and a healthier receiving corps, and Ottawa believes it can push its scoring average higher in 2025.
The Redblacks’ pass rush should remain disruptive. Bryce Carter inked a two-year extension and rejoins Lorenzo Mauldin IV on the edges. Ottawa also benefited from a re-worked offensive line in 2024, cutting sacks allowed to 40 and giving Brown a cleaner pocket down the stretch.
Saskatchewan’s biggest headline was a one-year extension for quarterback Trevor Harris. The 39-year-old missed six games but still produced 3,264 yards and 20 scores with a sparkling 72.1% completion rate. His return means continuity for coordinator Marc Mueller’s attack, although the Riders must monitor top receiver Shawn Bane Jr., who is recovering from knee surgery and remains a training-camp question. Should Bane be limited, look for Samuel Emilus and KeeSean Johnson to shoulder extra volume until their teammate is at full speed.
Betting Insights
Going into this CFL opener, the Roughriders are favored by 3.5 points at DraftKings Sportsbook. The total for the game has been set at 49.5 points, the second-highest total posted for Week 1 in the CFL. Before betting this game, bettors should consider the following:
- Outright markets: Futures boards list Saskatchewan at +700 to win the 2025 Grey Cup, while Ottawa sits at +1000.
- Key player props to watch:
- Dru Brown passing yards: he averaged 233 yards per game last season and topped 300 in five of his final eight starts.
- Trevor Harris completions: Harris’s career 70.6% rate and Mueller’s quick-game concepts create a high floor for completions props in the low-to-mid-20s.
- Situational edge: Mosaic Stadium was kind to the Riders, who went 5-4 at home last season, while Ottawa finished 2-7 on the road.
Going into this Redblacks vs Roughriders matchup, bettors can take advantage of the DraftKings Sportsbook bonus that is currently up for grabs. There, bettors can bet $5 on this game and get $300 in bonus bets if their first bet wins.
Ottawa Redblacks vs Saskatchewan Roughriders Prediction
Expect an entertaining clash between two solid quarterbacks in this game. Ottawa’s upgraded ground game with Stanback should keep Saskatchewan’s front honest, but the Riders’ secondary excels at capitalizing on hurried throws, and a cool prairie night typically favors the more physical defense. If Bane Jr. is unavailable, Saskatchewan may lean heavier on slotbacks and their running game to control tempo, trusting Harris to distribute efficiently.
Ultimately, the Riders’ edge in continuity on both lines and their proven ball-security profile give them the inside track. Brown’s ability to stretch the field will create explosive plays, yet he’ll face constant pressure from the Riders’ blitz packages. One or two extra possessions generated by Saskatchewan’s takeaway machine could swing the balance.
Pick: Saskatchewan Roughriders –3.5 and Over 49.5. Score forecast: Roughriders 30, Redblacks 24.
