Interesting week shaping up. With the records close, a lot of the experts have tried to shake up the picks to either build some breathing room or drop to the basement. We'll see if some of the Hail Mary passes have any effect on the standings.
This week's skinny:
Montreal @ Sherbrooke (Oct. 1; 1pm)
Prepare for one hell of a doozy. With Laval expected to march over Concordia, and the season half gone, this game will basically determine second place in the Quebec conference. Who will win? Sherbrooke has the edge here. They’re at home, and have massive offensive talent. Montreal may be disciplined, but they’re not exactly wowing us.
King’s Pick: Sherbrooke 32–27
Ottawa @ Wilfrid Laurier (Oct. 1; 1pm)
The Gee-Gees have performed better but last week Laurier nearly stole one against the Mustangs, managing the conference-leading run offence. If they can repeat that against the third-ranked run attack in Ottawa, they should win this week. This will be a quarterback showdown, which gives Laurier the edge with the OUA's leading passer in Shane Kelly. In a high scoring and close affair, Laurier gets the edge with the emotion of playing in front of their centennial homecoming crowd.
Radoslav's pick: Laurier 38-36
Guelph @ Windsor (Oct. 1; 7pm)
Despite the records, these two teams are more closely-matched then one would think. At 3-1 Windsor has looked like a contender while Guelph has struggled with a reversed 1-3 record. Bottom line: Guelph has a lot to prove this week after having a strong first half against McMaster and unravelling in the second half. A Windsor win all but guarantees them 5+ wins (they play York on Oct. 22) and a trip to the post season. This game is close... but if Guelph can put together a full 60 minutes they are the team to beat.
Grobe’s pick: Guelph 31-22
Concordia @ Laval (Oct 2; 1pm)
Last week Concordia played very well in a loss and Laval played probably their worst game in years in a win. This week, Concordia gets to go to Telus-Laval Stadium and will be hard pressed to repeat their impressive three-quarter performance in the season opener. This week, however, Reid Quest will get his second start after mop up duty against Laval in the first week. This game will be closer, but Laval will keep rolling. However, this game could go the other way should the Rouge et Or play anything close to last week.
Book’s Pick: Laval 24-14
Alberta vs. Calgary (Oct. 2; 1pm)
To say this game could get ugly would be an understatement. The conference's best squad Calgary and their potent rushing attack that averages nearly 275 yards per game goes up against a rush defence from Alberta that has been suspect at best this season giving up 242 yards per game. Don't expect the stats to lie this weekend in what could be an ugly game down at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
Daum’s Pick: Calgary 41-14