Ottawa Redblacks vs Montreal Alouettes Picks and Prediction for Thursday August 20, 2026

The Ottawa Redblacks travel to Montreal to face the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET. Montreal enters as a substantial home favorite, with the current line showing the Alouettes favored by 10.5 points and the total set at 61.5. Be ready for all the CFL action with our free CFL Picks.

Ottawa Redblacks Still Searching for Answers

Ottawa enters this matchup winless at 0-9 after falling 33-21 to Winnipeg. The Redblacks showed some fight in that contest and made a late push, but another defeat extended what has become a brutal start to the 2026 season.

The biggest issue for Ottawa is putting together four complete quarters. The Redblacks have occasionally produced competitive stretches, but mistakes and inconsistent offensive production have made it difficult to turn those stretches into victories.

Montreal presents an especially difficult matchup. The Alouettes have already handled Ottawa this season, including a convincing 34-13 victory. Ottawa is getting double digits here, but even +10.5 isn't especially appealing considering the difference between these teams.

Montreal Alouettes Continue to Set the Standard

Montreal enters at 8-1 and has established itself as one of the CFL's strongest teams. The Alouettes have been able to win in different ways and have consistently produced enough offensively to put opponents under pressure.

The home-field advantage only strengthens Montreal's position. Ottawa has struggled throughout the season, while the Alouettes have demonstrated that they can take control of this particular matchup. Montreal's earlier 34-13 victory over Ottawa provides a good example of how quickly the game can get away from the Redblacks.

The primary question is whether Montreal can cover a spread that has reached double digits. At -10.5, there is still enough room to back the superior team. Ottawa will need its best performance of the season to make this a four-quarter game.

Ottawa Redblacks vs Montreal Alouettes Picks and Prediction

Pick: Montreal Alouettes -10.5

Montreal is the preferred side. Ottawa is 0-10, while Montreal is 9-1 and has already demonstrated a substantial matchup advantage against the Redblacks. Laying double digits always carries some risk in the CFL, but the gap between these teams is significant enough to support Montreal -10.5.

Pick: Under 61.5

The total looks slightly inflated. Montreal should be capable of doing its share of the scoring, but Ottawa's ability to contribute enough points to push this game beyond 61.5 is questionable. The previous 34-13 meeting produced only 47 combined points. Even another comfortable Montreal victory could remain below this number.

Prediction

Montreal Alouettes 35, Ottawa Redblacks 17

Best Bet: Montreal Alouettes -10.5