CFL Week 8 Preview, Prediction, Odds, & Best Bets

Week 8 of the 2023 CFL season has arrived, bringing another slate of exciting games as July comes to an end. The standings have taken shape as the playoffs slowly approach, making each CFL Week 8 matchup all that more important.

This week’s action kicks off Friday with a battle between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2-4) and Ottawa RedBlacks (3-3) at 7:30 p.m. ET. Saturday’s slate features two matchups as the Saskatchewan Roughriders (3-3) go head-to-head with the undefeated Toronto Argonauts (5-0) at 4 p.m. ET before the BC Lions (5-1) clash with the Edmonton Elks (0-7) at 7 p.m ET.

The Week 8 festivities then come to a close Sunday when the Calgary Stampeders (2-4) pay a visit to the Montreal Alouettes (2-3) at 7 p.m. ET

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers (5-2) are on bye after last week’s 28-14 win over the Elks.

Here’s a look at BetOnline’s odds for the CFL Week 8 matchups, as well as a prediction and picks for each game.

Betting Record Ahead of Week 8: 5-5-1

CFL Week 8 Schedule

Friday, July 28

Hamilton Tiger-Cats vs. Ottawa RedBlacks, 7:30 p.m. ET on TSN, CFL+

Saturday, July 29

Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Toronto Argonauts, 4 p.m. ET on CFL+, TSN, CBSSN

BC Lions vs. Edmonton Elks, 7 p.m. ET on CFL+, TSN, CBSSN

Sunday, July 30

Calgary Stampeders vs. Montreal Alouettes, 7 p.m. ET on CFL+, TSN

CFL Week 8 Predictions and Picks

Tiger-Cats vs RedBlacks Betting Odds and Prediction

• Spread: Hamilton Tiger-Cats +1.5 (-110), Ottawa RedBlacks -1.5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 49.5 (-105), UNDER 49.5 (-115)
• Moneyline: Hamilton Tiger-Cats +110, Ottawa RedBlacks -130

The Tiger-Cats return to action after falling 31-15 to the Argonauts last week. The good news for them is that they’ve already proven that they can handle the RedBlacks, having notched a 21-13 victory over them back in Week 5.

The RedBlacks head into the CFL Week 8 schedule with a pep in their step. They’re 3-1 in their last four games after a slow start to the season and are coming off a 43-41 overtime victory against the Stampeders that saw quarterback Dustin Crum throw for 254 passing yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 63 yards on nine carries.

#Redblacks depth chart vs. #Ticats for Week 8 in the @CFL #CFL via @REDBLACKS pic.twitter.com/t0r7HTho6F

— CFL News (@CFL_News) July 27, 2023

Despite the Tiger-Cats winning the last time these teams met, I can’t trust them after they were outscored 23-6 throw the first three quarters against the Argonauts. Even though the RedBlacks aren’t on the same level as the Argos, they’re one of the CFL’s hotter teams and have averaged 28.3 points in their last four outings.

As long as Crum continues his stellar performance through the sky and on the ground, the RedBlacks will get the job done.

Prediction: RedBlacks 27, Tiger-Cats 23

Best Bet: RedBlacks -1.5 (-110)

Roughriders vs Argonauts Betting Odds and Prediction

• Spread: Saskatchewan Roughriders +10.5 (-115), Toronto Argonauts -10.5 (-105)
• Total: OVER 47.5 (-110), UNDER 47.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Saskatchewan Roughriders +405, Toronto Argonauts -510

The Roughriders couldn’t get much offense going in last week’s 19-9 loss to the Lions. QB Mason Fine made his first start for the injured Trevor Harris, going 31-for-40 in the pocket for 278 yards and two interceptions without a touchdown.

On the other side, the Argonauts are still the last remaining undefeated team as the CFL Week 8 slate opens. They more than doubled the Ti-Cats in last week’s 31-15 win, highlighted by QB Chad Kelley’s 306-yard, two-touchdown performance.

There’s just no way that the Roughriders can keep pace with the Argonauts — especially as long as Fine is under center. Toronto paces the league with a 37.2 PPG offense, whereas Saskatchewan has been held to 12 or fewer points twice in its last three outings.

While a 10.5-point spread can be intimidating, the Roughriders’ lack of offensive consistency means the Argonauts have a chance to win by a wide margin.

Prediction: Argonauts 35, Roughriders 16

Best Bet: Argonauts -10.5 (-105)

Lions vs Elks Betting Odds and Prediction

• Spread: BC Lions -7.5 (-110), Edmonton Elks +7.5 (-110)
• Total: OVER 43 (-110), UNDER 43 (-110)
• Moneyline: BC Lions -370, Edmonton Elks +300

After a brief brush with defeat, the Lions are back to their winning ways with back-to-back victories. They’re fresh off last week’s 19-9 victory against the Roughriders, holding the opposition to 278 total yards without a touchdown.

The Elks, meanwhile, hope the CFL Week 8 slate bring their first win of the 2023 campaign. Chris Jones’ team dropped to 0-7 with a 28-14 loss to the Blue Bombers. Now the Elks must face the Lions, who completely silenced them in a 22-0 loss back on June 17.

Edmonton Elks Injury Report for Week 8 vs. BC!

DETAILS | https://t.co/lFbDpBYIdc #GoElks x @MICimaging#OurTeamOurCity #CFL pic.twitter.com/SfXkdzj4jR

— Edmonton Elks (@GoElks) July 27, 2023

The Lions are the best team out west and won’t lose to the Elks, who they easily handled six weeks ago. Having said that, I’m taking the under on the 43-point total as the best bet. The under is currently 6-1 in BC’s last seven road games, as well as 6-8 in Hamilton’s last eight overall.

After the two sides combined for 22 points in Week 2, I’m not expecting a ton of fireworks Saturday night.

Prediction: Lions 23, Elks 14

Best Bet: Under 43 Total Points (-110)

Stampeders vs Alouettes Betting Odds and Prediction

• Spread: Calgary Stampeders +2.5 (-105), Montreal Alouettes -2.5 (-115)
• Total: OVER 47.5 (-110), UNDER 47.5 (-110)
• Moneyline: Calgary Stampeders +120, Montreal Alouettes -140

The Stampeders haven’t gotten much going this season, falling to 1-3 in their last four games with a 43-41 loss to the RedBlacks last week. QB Jake Maier amassed 450 passing yards and four TDs, but it wasn’t enough as Calgary’s defense couldn’t come up with the stops it needed.

This CFL Week 8 matchup sees the Alouettes returning to action for the first time in two weeks. Things weren’t going well the last time we saw them, though. Montreal is presently on a three-game losing streak, picking up each of those defeats by a minus-12.7 average scoring margin.

Although the Alouettes are the favorites, I’m going with the road team. The Stampeders are hungry to prove something after coming up short in OT to the RedBlacks. Facing Montreal gives Calgary a great chance to get things straight, especially with the Alouettes failing to cover the spread in each of their last two home games.

Give me the Stampeders pulling off the road upset.

Prediction: Stampeders 26, Alouettes 20

Best Bet: Stampeders +2.5 (-105)

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Grey Cup Odds 2023 as of CFL Week 8

Odds via BetOnline.

• Winnipeg Blue Bombers (+225)
• Toronto Argonauts (+225)
• BC Lions (+300)
• Ottawa RedBlacks (+1200)
• Calgary Stampeders (+1400)
• Hamilton Tiger-Cats (+1400)
• Montreal Alouettes (+1600)
• Saskatchewan Roughriders (+1600)
• Edmonton Elks (+15000)

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