Roughriders (3-3) vs. Lions (4-2)
Lions return from bye to face Roughriders at BC Place
The BC Lions hit the field after their much needed, much deserved bye week allowed healing, practice and focus on the task at hand. This week that task comes in the form of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, losers of three straight games heading into Sunday’s contest.
Saskatchewan vs. BC
Date/Time: Sunday, August 19, 2012, 10:00 PM ET
Venue: BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, British Columbia
Broadcast: TSN
Riders vs. Lions Betting Lines from Bodog (Bovada if in USA)
Spread: Lions -6 1/2 (-110)
Moneyline: Riders +210: Lions -250
Over/Under: 51 points
The Saskatchewan Roughriders started the season with three straight wins – looking very good in the CFL’s Western Division but three straight losses with seemingly few answers has the Riders looking up in the standings once again at these Lions and the Edmonton Eskimos – a team that defeated Saskatchewan last week.
The Riders looked OK in their last loss to Edmonton gaining 507 yards of offense but it was penalties and turnovers that proved to be the difference in the game.
Their offense has looked out of sync however – Darian Durrant has been shaky and the playmakers on the team Chris Getzlaf and Weston Dressler have suffered because of it. Korey Sheets and the running game have looked good as the only real bright spot for Saskatchewan on the offensive side of the ball.
The defense has also been just OK – nothing spectacular but nothing great.
They have had a difficult time getting to the quarterback in their three losses – something that will have to change if they hope to have a shot on Sunday.
For the Lions it has been the defense that has shone during their two game win streak.
For the Lions it has been the defense that has shone during their two game win streak.
The defense gave up eight points versus Calgary and just nine against Toronto while allowing just 252 yards in the last contest. BC hasn’t allowed an offensive touchdown in two games and has been a terror for opposing quarterbacks.
The defense is playing at an extremely high level right now which doesn’t bode well for a struggling Saskatchewan squad.
On offense BC is coming around. Travis Lulay had his worst game in quite a while before the bye but he wasn’t really needed as the defense more than held their own.
The Lions are still mighty dangerous on offense however – Lulay, Geroy Simon Arland Bruce and Andrew Harris have been efficient and effective when needed.
Dave’s Won’t Cost You Anything Free CFL Betting Prediction
Trends to consider
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of Saskatchewan’s last 9 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of Saskatchewan’s last 7 games when playing British Columbia
- The total has gone UNDER in 11 of Saskatchewan’s last 15 games on the road
- The total has gone UNDER in 16 of Saskatchewan’s last 22 games
- British Columbia is 9-1 SU in its last 10 games at home
- The total has gone UNDER in 8 of British Columbia’s last 9 games when playing at home against Saskatchewan
- The total has gone UNDER in 6 of British Columbia’s last 7 games when playing Saskatchewan
- British Columbia is 16-3 SU in its last 19 games
The Under looks like the play once again here.
The Lions simply don’t give up a lot of points and because of that Andrew Harris should play a large role as per usual in moving the chains and winding down the clock.
The Lions are money at home and should be healthy ahead of their first game coming off the bye. BC takes this one rather easily and the total stays under like it has in 6 of the last 7 games between the clubs.
Pick: BC Lions -6 1/2 and the Under – 51 points
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