These are the two with the lowest total for expected wins this season in the West. And rightfully so after they both struggled to get out of the basement all last season. The Elks haven’t won at home since 2019. They will finally win some but not this one.

They made some big changes in the off season that will take a while to come together. Three new targets for QB Cornelius in MOP finalist Lewis and newcomers Moore and Dunbar should help him improve his numbers. RB Brown who came in part way through last season and was very effective will have a whole season to provide another option for Cornelius. The weak link in all of this is the O-line which made things difficult for their QB. Trying to sort things out with all his new receivers will be difficult under pressure

The Roughriders also had O-line problems last season. The biggest difference is that their D-line has some emerging stars in Laniers and Robertson and newcomer Johnson and solid Dean at LB that will be able to better take advantage of the Elks weak O-line. The Roughriders also have veteran QB Harris who has come over from the Alouettes with teammate Wieneke as well as Walker from the Elks. They have a better chance of gelling quickly than the Elks passing game does. And the Roughriders also have the dynamic duo of Morrow and Hickson at RB that were very successful before going down with season ending injuries last season. Grab the points and look for the Roughriders to score the minor upset.