The wait is over! The 2025 CFL season explodes into action as two hungry 9-8-1 teams from last year clash in Regina. After their dramatic 22-22 tie and Saskatchewan’s 29-16 revenge win in 2024, the Ottawa Redblacks and Saskatchewan Roughriders are ready to settle the score in front of the raucous Mosaic Stadium crowd.
With both teams battling significant offensive line injuries and boasting elite defenses, this season opener has all the makings of a defensive slugfest. Trevor Harris, the 39-year-old veteran gunslinger, faces off against rising star Dru Brown in what could be a chess match between experience and explosiveness. Will the Riders’ home field advantage and defensive dominance carry them to victory, or can Ottawa’s high-powered passing attack steal one on the road?
Our experts are calling for the UNDER to hit big in this Week 1 showdown – don’t miss the action as Canadian football returns with a vengeance!
Team Information & Stats
Ottawa Redblacks (0-0)
2024 Season: 9-8-1 record, made playoffs but eliminated by Toronto Argonauts Key Players:
- QB Dru Brown – Franchise quarterback returning for his second full season as starter
- WR Eugene Lewis – Elite receiver and primary offensive weapon
- WR Justin Hardy, Bralon Addison, Kalil Pimpleton – Strong receiving corps
- RB William Stanback – Veteran back looking for resurgence after successful BC stint
- LB Adarius Pickett – Star linebacker and team leader
- LB Frankie Griffin – Key defensive player (Questionable – knee injury)
Saskatchewan Roughriders (0-0)
2024 Season: 9-8-1 record, reached Western Final Key Players:
- QB Trevor Harris – 39-year-old veteran quarterback, played through partially torn ACL in 2024
- WR Samuel Emilus – Back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons, West Division All-CFL
- WR KeeSean Johnson, Kian Schaffer-Baker – Strong supporting cast
- RB A.J. Ouellette – Explosive back when healthy, missed 10 games in 2024
- DT Micah Johnson, Mike Rose – Dominant interior defensive line
- HB Rolan Milligan Jr. – 2024 Most Outstanding Defensive Player
Head-to-Head History
All-Time Series: Saskatchewan leads 11-7-1
2024 Meetings:
- Week 10: 22-22 TIE (in Ottawa) – Dramatic overtime finish
- Week 17: Saskatchewan 29-16 victory (in Regina)
Both 2024 games featured strong defensive play with 11 combined sacks and over 1,100 passing yards between the teams. Source
Key Injury Updates
Ottawa Redblacks – OUT:
- Nick Mardner (WR) – Knee injury
- Zack Pelehos (RT) – Foot injury
- Peter Godber (C) – Hand injury
- Eric Starczala (C) – Head injury
Questionable:
- Deandre Lamont (DB) – Hamstring
- Frankie Griffin (LB) – Knee
Saskatchewan Roughriders – OUT:
- Sean McEwen (C) – Knee injury (Major loss – 3x All-CFL center)
- Philippe Gagnon (G) – Bicep injury
- Shawn Bane Jr. (WR) – Knee injury
- Albert Awachie (FB) – Hip injury
Questionable:
- C.J. Avery (LB) – Ankle inju
Game Preview
This season opener between two evenly matched 9-8-1 teams from 2024 promises to be a defensive battle. Both teams have significant offensive line injuries that could impact their offensive production early in the season.
Ottawa’s Challenges:
- Missing key offensive linemen including starting RT Zack Pelehos and C Peter Godber
- Six new starters in the lineup for season opener
- Questions about secondary depth
Saskatchewan’s Advantages:
- Strong home field advantage at Mosaic Stadium (3-1 SU and ATS in last 4 home games)
- Elite interior defensive line with Johnson and Rose
- Better overall roster continuity despite some key injuries
Key Matchup: Ottawa’s pass rush vs. Saskatchewan’s makeshift offensive line. With All-Star center Sean McEwen out, the immobile 39-year-old Trevor Harris could be under pressure from Ottawa’s aggressive front four.
First Half Prediction
Projected Score: Saskatchewan 10, Ottawa 7
Expect a slow start offensively as both teams deal with:
- Short training camps (only 3 weeks)
- Significant offensive line injuries on both sides
- Typical Week 1 rust and timing issues
- Strong defensive units on both teams
Saskatchewan should establish early momentum at home with their ground game behind A.J. Ouellette, while Ottawa will likely rely on Dru Brown’s arm and their skilled receivers to move the ball.
Full Game Outcome Prediction
Final Score: Saskatchewan Roughriders 24, Ottawa Redblacks 17
Reasoning:
- Home field advantage at Mosaic Stadium is significant in CFL season openers
- Defensive superiority for Saskatchewan with their elite front seven
- Offensive line injuries will hurt Ottawa more due to their reliance on pass protection
- Experience factor with Trevor Harris managing the game effectively
- Special teams edge to Saskatchewan with proven units
The game will be decided by Saskatchewan’s ability to control the line of scrimmage and create short fields through turnovers and field position. Ottawa will keep it close but fall short on the road.
Best Bets
1. UNDER 48 Points (-110) ⭐⭐⭐
Reasoning: Historical Week 1 trends show Unders going 25-15 since 2014. Both teams have offensive line injuries and strong defenses. Short training camps typically lead to offensive struggles early.
2. Saskatchewan -3 (-110) ⭐⭐
Reasoning: Home field advantage, better overall roster health, and superior defensive front. Ottawa’s offensive line injuries will be problematic against Saskatchewan’s pass rush.
3. Same Game Parlay: Under 48 + Saskatchewan -2.5 (+260) ⭐⭐⭐
Reasoning: Combines the strong Under trend with home field advantage at a more comfortable spread number.
Best Proposition Bets
Offensive Props:
- Trevor Harris Under 265.5 Passing Yards ⭐⭐ (-110) – Limited by offensive line injuries and conservative game plan
- Dru Brown Over 1.5 Passing TDs ⭐⭐ (-110) – Ottawa will need to throw to keep pace
- A.J. Ouellette Over 75.5 Rushing Yards ⭐⭐⭐(-110) – Key to Saskatchewan’s ground game, healthy and motivated
Defensive Props:
- Total Sacks Over 4.5 ⭐⭐ (-110) – Both teams have pass rush potential and O-line injuries
Team Props:
- Saskatchewan First Half ML ⭐⭐⭐ (-135) – Strong home starts, should establish early momentum
Anytime Touchdown Scorers:
- A.J. Ouellette ⭐⭐⭐ – Primary goal line back for Saskatchewan
- Eugene Lewis ⭐⭐ – Ottawa’s top red zone target
- Samuel Emilus ⭐⭐ – Saskatchewan’s most reliable receiver
Key Factors to Watch
- Weather Conditions – Early June in Regina should be ideal
- Trevor Harris’s Mobility – Playing behind injured O-line at age 39
- Ottawa’s Secondary – Facing Emilus and Johnson without full health
- Special Teams – Both teams have strong units that could impact field position
- Turnover Battle – Likely to determine the winner in a close game
Final Confidence: Saskatchewan wins a defensive struggle at home, 24-17. The Under is the strongest bet given historical trends and current circumstances.
