As a voter on the CIS top 10 football poll I’m tasked with ranking Canada’s elite university programs on a weekly basis. My personal criteria is deciding who would win a neutral-site game based on the teams’ current body of work alone. Here’s the ballot I submitted this week.
1. Calgary (LW: 1)
In a weekend of blowouts across the CIS, Calgary’s 72-8 win over Regina might have been the most one-sided. Despite racking up 749 yards of offence, their most impressive number was the zero they put up in the penalty column. Discipline along with talent is why the Dinos have been so dominant and will be a tough out in November.
2. Western (LW: 2)
Carleton came into Western’s homecoming as the best defence in the OUA by most metrics. Western scored 70 points on the Ravens, including four touchdown passes by Will Finch in the first half. Jahvari Bennett came into this week as the OUA’s second-leading rusher, averaging 126 yards a game. Western held him to 50 yards on Saturday. The Mustangs are the class of the OUA.
3. Laval (LW: 3)
Their 64-0 victory probably flatters St. FX. The shut out Laval’s defence put up doesn’t do justice to how dominant Laval was on that side of the ball. The Rouge et Or only gave up 128 yards of offence. It’s not often a team beats the opposition by 64 when only winning the time of possession battle by two minutes.
4. Montreal (LW: 4)
Montreal survived a scare against cross-town rival Concordia. Thanks to capitalizing on two Stingers fourth-quarter special teams mistakes, the Carabins emerged victorious. What should concern the defending Vanier Cup champs is the fact their defence was uncharacteristically pushed around, giving up 32 first downs. The Stingers previously hadn’t scored a touchdown against Montreal since 2013 and hadn’t scored 29 points on Montreal since 2003. We’re starting to see signs that this isn’t a typical Carabins defence.
5. Guelph (LW: 5)
The most impressive win of the weekend was Guelph demolishing previously top-10 ranked Ottawa so badly that I’ve removed the Gee-Gees from my ballot. Scoring on their first three possessions, the Gryphons were able to put it in cruise control on the way to a 22-point victory. Guelph has now navigated the toughest part of their schedule and shouldn’t be tested again until the post-season.
6. Manitoba (LW: 7)
The Bisons came from behind against Alberta to snap a two-game losing streak and get back to .500. Easy is a relative term because every game is tough in the Can West, but Manitoba has the most favourable schedule down the stretch and the best shot at securing home field in the first round of the playoffs, and more importantly missing Calgary until the Hardy Cup.
7. Saskatchewan (LW: Honourable mention)
After looking like they were dead and buried, the Huskies have won two straight and further muddied the Can West playoff picture. With four teams tied at .500, Saskatchewan will be a battle over the next month for post-season positioning and a road win versus UBC could prove valuable.
8. UBC (LW: 6)
There may not be a tougher team to figure out than UBC. The Thunderbirds beat Laval on the road by getting off to a quick start, but lost to previously unraveled Saskatchewan at home by getting off to a terrible start. With youth at every position, it’s tough to buy stock in UBC because, despite their immense talent, they lack experience and consistency.
9. Sherbrooke (LW: 8)
The Vert et Or got up 31-0 before resting starters and putting it in cruise control against Mount Allison. Not only did the third-place team in Quebec ruin the defending AUS champion Mounties’ homecoming, they showed why the teams at the top of the RSEQ are among the best in the CIS.
10. McMaster (LW: 9)
He’s halfway through his third season and Daniel Vandervoort is already McMaster’s all-time leader in touchdown receptions. The Marauders are dangerous because they can score in bunches.
Honourable mentions: Alberta (LW: Honourable mention), Ottawa (LW:10)