CFL betting on Saskatchewan may not be as popular as it was last year when the Roughriders had a winning record both straight up and against the Canadian Football odds. The Roughriders made a lot of changes in the off-season, not all of which were positive. Here is a look at the 2009 Saskatchewan Roughriders and their chances versus the sportsbook odds.
CFL betting information shows that the Roughriders did add slotback Jason Clermont in the off-season so that is good news. The bad news for Saskatchewan in Canadian Football odds at the online sportsbook is they lost defensive coordinator Richie Hall and a number of key defensive starters including linebackers Kitwana Jones and Maurice Lloyd.
Saskatchewan is turning over the quarterback job to Darian Durant and that may or may not be good news in CFL betting. Durant is an up and down player that looks great one play and terrible the next. “Darian Durant shows leadership in a lot of little ways. He’s never going to be the guy out in front beating the drum but in his own way, he provides excellent leadership.” Head coach Ken Miller said.
The Roughriders have last year’s Rookie of the Year Weston Dressler, Andy Fantuz and Clermont so they should have some speed in the backfield that can impact Canadian Football odds at the sportsbook each week. Canadian Football odds information tells us that the running game looks solid with Wes Cates in the backfield.
The Roughriders may have to score a lot of points in CFL betting because the defense is going to be weaker. They lost their defensive coordinator, two of three linebackers and two of five in the starting secondary. CFL betting information tells us that Gary Etcheverry replaces Richie Hall as the defensive coordinator. Sean Lucas and Scott Shultz are back so it is not totally hopeless on defense. The Roughriders did sign cornerback Donovan Alexander and drafted defensive end Mike Stadnyk as CFL betting information shows. Saskatchewan definitely has some work to do to match last season’s defensive performance.
Saskatchewan finished the 2008 season at 12-6 but matching that record seems unlikely in 2009 for the Roughriders considering their defensive losses. It also doesn’t help they play in the Western Division where the reigning Grey Cup champs reside. The Roughriders simply don’t matchup well with Calgary in CFL betting at the online sportsbook, especially on defense.