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: 2)
What a way to debut your new “white-out” uniforms. The Dinos were white hot putting up 975 yards of offence against a team I had in the top 10 last week in the previously undefeated Alberta Bears. Mercer Timmis managed to rush for 100 yards on just four carries. The 80–18 score was actually flattering to the losers.
2. Western (LW: 1)
The Mustangs were sloppy and undisciplined in a rivalry game against Queen’s. Despite dominating the line of scrimmage Western fumbled twice inside the five-yard line and had coverage breakdowns defensively. Although they were held under 50 points for the first time this year the game was never in doubt (and neither is their talent), but disciplined play and execution is the difference at the national bowl level.
3. Laval (LW: 3)
The concussion Rouge et Or QB Hugo Richard suffered against Sherbrooke is the only question mark about Laval. He was held out against Bishop’s for precautionary reasons and more than likely will make the trip to St. FX. As Glen Constanin’s men showed they are deep enough to win without him with in a 42-point victory over the Gaiters. Marc-A Langevin is a very good understudy, but doesn’t have the arm talent Richard possesses.
4. Montreal (LW: 4)
Montreal is the sleeping giant that nobody is talking about. Never before has the defending Vanier Cup champion received such little publicity. The Carabins quietly dispatched the Vert et Or to start the toughest month of football any team in the country will endure. Over the next three weeks they travel to Concordia and Sherbrooke before hosting Laval. If they are still standing by the end they’ll be close to the top of every voter’s poll.
5. Guelph (LW: 6)
They avenged their Yates Cup loss to McMaster and are now in the driver’s seat for a first-round bye in the OUA playoffs, so all and all it was a good week for the Gryphons. Yet most of the talk surrounding the program is about the sudden departure of transfer QB Alex Skinner. With the former Vanier Cup–champion QB now out of the fold the team is squarely on the shoulders of sophomore James Roberts.
6. UBC (LW: 8)
The new-era UBC Thunderbirds showed they can win a shoot-out, outlasting Manitoba in a game that featured 99 combined points and over 1,100 yards of offence. They’ll have to show they can win a close game as they take on a physically tough Huskies squad desperate for a win Friday night.
7. Manitoba (LW: 5)
A week after having to deal with Mercer Timmis and Calgary the Bisons were asked to contain Michael O’Connor and UBC. They came up short both times losing late to Can West’s top two teams. Don’t count them out just yet, though, as the Bisons are still among the nation’s elite. What’s more, Brian Dobie–coached teams always peek in October and November.
8. Sherbrooke (LW: 7)
After losing to Laval by just three in OT at home last week the Vert et Or were beaten by 19 on the road against Montreal. It is the Jekyll-and-Hyde performances week to week that have plagued Sherbrooke over the years and stopped them from joining the top tier of RSEQ programs. This week’s test on the road at Mount Allison’s homecoming well help clarify if they are contenders or pretenders this campaign.
9. McMaster (LW: 9)
A late comeback in the Yates rematch at Guelph’s homecoming wasn’t enough for Mac. The good news is their schedule gets real soft as their next three opponents have combined for just one win in their combined 12 games this season.
10. Ottawa (LW: honourable mention)
Ottawa has been a surprise so far this year but elite quarterbacking can elevate any program. Second-year starter Derek Wendel has thrown for over 300 yards in all three games this year and after the first month of the season is a dark horse Hec Crighton candidate.
Honourable mentions: Alberta (LW: 10), Saskatchewan (LW: honourable mention)