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championships"},{"term":"2014 Vanier Cup"},{"term":"2017 season"},{"term":"Al Alderson"},{"term":"Announcements"},{"term":"Barry Rawlyk"},{"term":"Basil Hughton"},{"term":"Blue Jays"},{"term":"Bruno Prud'homme"},{"term":"CBC Sports Plus"},{"term":"CCES"},{"term":"CKNW"},{"term":"Calvin Westbrook"},{"term":"Canada WNT"},{"term":"Canadian Interuniversity Sports"},{"term":"Chantal Vallée"},{"term":"Chris Oliver"},{"term":"Dave Preston"},{"term":"Dax Dessureault"},{"term":"Devon Pierre"},{"term":"Dick Mosher"},{"term":"Dissenting Thoughts"},{"term":"Don't You Forget About"},{"term":"Doping"},{"term":"Edmonton CFL Team"},{"term":"Eva Thouvenot"},{"term":"Frank McCrystal"},{"term":"GNAC"},{"term":"Graham Brown"},{"term":"Greg Jockims"},{"term":"Heather Lund"},{"term":"Jacob Doerksen"},{"term":"Jamelle Barrett"},{"term":"Jay Triano"},{"term":"Jeff Giles"},{"term":"John Levy"},{"term":"Jon Lalonde"},{"term":"Josee Belanger"},{"term":"Justin King"},{"term":"Kentucky 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johnson"},{"term":"do not adjust your set"},{"term":"funding"},{"term":"host berths"},{"term":"international basketball"},{"term":"interviews"},{"term":"journalism"},{"term":"mud fights"},{"term":"schedules"},{"term":"technical difficulties"},{"term":"ted goveia"},{"term":"tiering"},{"term":"tragedy"},{"term":"trinity western"},{"term":"trivia"},{"term":"university sport"},{"term":"Étienne Légaré"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The CIS Blog"},"subtitle":{"type":"html","$t":"News and notes on U SPORTS - even if we refuse to change our name"},"link":[{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#feed","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/posts\/default"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/-\/Gryphons?alt=json-in-script"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/search\/label\/Gryphons"},{"rel":"hub","href":"http://pubsubhubbub.appspot.com/"},{"rel":"next","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/-\/Gryphons\/-\/Gryphons?alt=json-in-script\u0026start-index=26\u0026max-results=25"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Scott Hastie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08081415078301065374"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"generator":{"version":"7.00","uri":"http://www.blogger.com","$t":"Blogger"},"openSearch$totalResults":{"$t":"308"},"openSearch$startIndex":{"$t":"1"},"openSearch$itemsPerPage":{"$t":"25"},"entry":[{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-2634634764660740286"},"published":{"$t":"2017-10-27T21:30:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-10-29T15:29:31.084-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gee-Gees"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Bears"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Top 10 Tracker: Western has to be No. 1 now, eh? Calgary crushed by Alberta; Laval locks up No. 1 in Quebec; McMaster and Guelph win OUA quarters"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Better to be slightly late on the epiphany than the last to know, eh? Western has to be No. 1, what with being the last undefeated team after Calgary went through the motions and lost — wait for it — \u003Ci\u003E53-3\u003C\/i\u003E against Alberta in a game that was immaterial to the Dinos' standings.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe rule of thumb when a 7-0 team that is locked into first place loses is that is shouldn't affect the ranking if the score was respectable. It can be a canary in the coal mine (see Western losing 37-0 against Queen's in its finale in 2011, before losing the Yates Cup at home by three touchdowns three weeks later). It can also be a one-off, or even \"a well-orchestrated loss\" as Queen's coach Pat Sheahan termed it following his team's national championship season in 2009.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut 53 to three, that looks rather abject for Calgary. It's also a huge feat for Alberta, which is making strides toward respectability under coach \u003Cb\u003EChris Morris\u003C\/b\u003E. All that shook out to send in a Top 10 ballot as follows:\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cp lang=\"ro\" dir=\"ltr\"\u003EMy \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/usports?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#usports\u003C\/a\u003E FB Top 10\u003Cbr\u003E1 Western\u003Cbr\u003E2 Laval\u003Cbr\u003E3 Calgary\u003Cbr\u003E4 Montréal\u003Cbr\u003E5 UBC\u003Cbr\u003E6 Laurier\u003Cbr\u003E7 McMaster\u003Cbr\u003E8 Guelph\u003Cbr\u003E9 Acadia\u003Cbr\u003E10 Alberta \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/OUA?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#OUA\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/uagree?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#uagree\u003C\/a\u003E?\u003C\/p\u003E\u0026mdash; Neate Sager (@n8sager) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/n8sager\/status\/924715450738417664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe reigning gridiron-football gurus out in western Canada were right to believe the Western (Ontario) Mustangs are Canada's best. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EU SPORTS Football Top 10: Undefeated \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@UCDinos\u003C\/a\u003E move up to No. 1\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/aCkVxd9nyB\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/aCkVxd9nyB\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/OJfZrHyN1u\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/OJfZrHyN1u\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— U SPORTS (@USPORTSca) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USPORTSca\/status\/922862731048263682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 24, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EThat is the way it goes. The FieldTurf always looks greener on the other side of the country.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ECharting the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Power7?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#Power7\u003C\/a\u003E teams in \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/USportsFB?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#USportsFB\u003C\/a\u003E this year. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KrownCountdownU?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@KrownCountdownU\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/oxIC5J9XsU\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/oxIC5J9XsU\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Jim Mullin (@Jim_Mullin) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jim_Mullin\/status\/922617419687911425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 24, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EOh, the irony. The week I actually move the Dinos off of number one... \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/5oiYVIl3C1\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/5oiYVIl3C1\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Gord R. (@GARandall) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GARandall\/status\/922928200040116224?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 24, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe bullet points on this Saturday of action:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAlberta 53, Calgary 3.\u003Ci\u003E \u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Ci\u003EThat happened. \u003C\/i\u003EThe Golden Bears, who were 0-4 at one point. won by a sufficiently large enough margin to get the last Canada West playoff berth and a semifinal date against none other than Calgary,. Whether Alberta will be competitive now that Calgary will face actually stakes remains to be seen, but the transformation is enlivening. Receiver\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003ETylor Henry \u003C\/b\u003Escored four touchdowns and\u003Cb\u003E Ed Ilnicki \u003C\/b\u003Eincreased\u0026nbsp;his rushing tally to a Canada West-record 1,468 yards. That's \u003Ci\u003E184 per game.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🏈 The Dinos will have another crack at the Golden Bears: the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CWplayoffs?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#CWplayoffs\u003C\/a\u003E start Saturday. 1 pm, McMahon Stadium.\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/3XRIgbMZNy\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/3XRIgbMZNy\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/924481533917855744?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EThere were many people and pundits that counted out the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UABearsFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@UABearsFootball\u003C\/a\u003E after 0-4 start, but they gutted it out and are now playoff bound!\u003C\/div\u003E— Jason Hills (@hillsyjay) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hillsyjay\/status\/924482911348301824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EThere were many people and pundits that counted out the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UABearsFootball?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@UABearsFootball\u003C\/a\u003E after 0-4 start, but they gutted it out and are now playoff bound!\u003C\/div\u003E— Jason Hills (@hillsyjay) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hillsyjay\/status\/924482911348301824?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUBC will host Regina in the Canada West semifinal.\u003C\/b\u003E The Thunderbirds scored 35 points in the second \u003Ci\u003Equarter\u003C\/i\u003E\u0026nbsp;and routed the Rams 44-15. They'll play again. Quarterback Michael O'Connor was out of the game after 2½ quarters.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval strengthens its case for No. 1; then again, Westenr's got stronger.\u003C\/b\u003E The defending national champions blew out Concordia on Friday night; the run for a repeat begins at home next week against Sherbrooke.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELyons roars for No. 7 McMaster.\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;McMaster and Laurier will meet in the OUA semifinal again, after the Marauders' 12-9 closer-than-it-should-have-been win against Queen's. Running back \u003Cb\u003EJordan Lyons\u003C\/b\u003E tied OUA's single-game record for carries (39) and had the second-most yards (319) in a Canadian university playoff game. Still, it wasn't in the bag until Sam linebacker\u003Cb\u003E Eric Blake \u003C\/b\u003Eintercepted a pass at Mac's 35-yard line with 1:20 left.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENo. 9 Guelph gets another shot at No. 3 Western.\u003C\/b\u003E The only team that has been able to hang with the 'Stangs will get another shot at doing so next week in London. Guelph, with QB\u003Cb\u003E James Roberts\u003C\/b\u003E returning from the brain injury he suffered four weeks ago against McMaster, rolled by 22 points against Ottawa.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EHere's the Top 10 tracker for the week, to be updated as results pour in from across Canada.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary (7-1 Canada West, 53-3 loss against Alberta)\u003C\/b\u003E — Is being No. 1 the best thing \u003Ci\u003Ementally\u003C\/i\u003E? It can also prove to be an albatross. \u003Ci\u003E(Note: this was written before the games started.)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🏈 | \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Dinos_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@Dinos_Football\u003C\/a\u003E comes in at No. 1 in the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USPORTSca?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@USPORTSca\u003C\/a\u003E Football Top 10 for the first time since November 2015!\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/WeAreAllDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#WeAreAllDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/GLUWUwrZUq\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/GLUWUwrZUq\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/922865921592508416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 24, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🏈PREVIEW | The Dinos look to keep things rolling into the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CWplayoffs?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#CWplayoffs\u003C\/a\u003E as they host the Bears.\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EREAD➡️\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TVQobkFOsz\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/TVQobkFOsz\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/bk80RTtT1W\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/bk80RTtT1W\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/923270590810636288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 25, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003EIt was a nothing game for Calgary ... it was a nothing game for Calgary. They can't really be No. 1 after such a lopsided loss, but the floor is No. 3. I can't think of a team which once lost a game by 50 points going on to win the Vanier Cup, but I know of at least one national championship team who had a 35-point loss.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EDinos playing rookies at both corners and its been a work in progress today. Dinos packing box to stop illnicki but that's leaving no help.\u003C\/div\u003E— Jon (@jonathanwhudson) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jonathanwhudson\/status\/924361324741537792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 28, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EDinos playing like they pulled too many pieces out of the Jenga tower for this game.\u003C\/div\u003E— Jon (@jonathanwhudson) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jonathanwhudson\/status\/924374346520444928?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 28, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EMostly it was first 7 series. Fumble, Fumble, Missed FG, Fumble, Punt, Int, turnover on downs in end zone. Half finished with two more punts\u003C\/div\u003E— Jon (@jonathanwhudson) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jonathanwhudson\/status\/924449807816523776?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval (7-1 RSEQ, 46-14 road win at Concordia )\u003C\/b\u003E — Scored a point-per-minute pace in the first half on Friday as they locked first place in the RSEQ, and\u003Cb\u003E Hugo Richard \u003C\/b\u003Eaveraged a cool 8.8 per pass. It's 1A and 1B with Western at No. 1.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EKrown Countdown U: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Laval?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#Laval\u003C\/a\u003E reclaims top spot in Quebec \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Els1yEXN7c\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/Els1yEXN7c\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/USports?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#USports\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/NCAA?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#NCAA\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/T7GG9eYoat\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/T7GG9eYoat\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— 3DownNation (@3DownNation) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/3DownNation\/status\/923326805204971520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 25, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern (8-0 OUA, host semifinal on Nov. 4)\u003C\/b\u003E — Lines win championships. Western is good on both sides of the line. Ergo, Western has a better argument for No. 1 than it did before, especially with the way it handled its make-it-quick meaningless last regular-season game.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EThis story about \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/WesternMustangs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@WesternMustangs\u003C\/a\u003E O-line ran last week. This has a few adjustments. Thanks to David Brown. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fTwLJ4wRvO\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/fTwLJ4wRvO\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Morris Dalla Costa (@MoDaCoatLFPress) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/MoDaCoatLFPress\/status\/922618358750744576?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 24, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontréal (6-1 RSEQ, 27-17\u0026nbsp; home win against McGill)\u003C\/b\u003E — Got the McGill game over with and will face Concordia in the semifinal, for the first time since Gastro-Gate. The Carabins should stay at No. 4.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"fr\"\u003E🏈 - Les Carabins concluent leur saison sur une victoire\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/oL0PM14AtR\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/oL0PM14AtR\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Carabins (@Carabins) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Carabins\/status\/924407106865975297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 28, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIs it odd that four of five teams in Quebec make the playoffs, while the Atlantic takes three of five? Not especially. With the egos in Quebec City and Montreal it's impossible to see any acquiescence to the first-place winner getting to rest up, and the Little Three probably could not stand having to compete for one spot, like Olympic divers who all know they're competing for bronze after the Chinese pair finish 1-2.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaurier (6-2 OUA, host semifinal Nov. 4) \u003C\/b\u003E— Perhaps \u003Cb\u003EMichael Knevel\u003C\/b\u003E, wearing the braid of Yates Cup-winning quarterback who lead a lightning-in-a-bottle comeback against Western, will be healthy in two weeks' time. Or Laurier has\u003Cb\u003E Tristan Arndt \u003C\/b\u003Eto turn loose, possibly against the McMaster team that he lit up last Saturday.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhat is for sure is nothing will be confirmed from the depth charts, which in OUA are exchanged on the eve of the game. Laurier played a guessing game before that 40-15 rout two weeks ago.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUBC (6-2 Canada West, 44-15 home win against No. 8 Regina)\u003C\/b\u003E — They're still unlikely to host a Hardy Cup, but could they end up home for the Mitchell Bowl if Calgary keeps going down its current path? The Thunderbirds defence had five sacks on Saturday, and if Calgary's having pass-protection issues, then look out.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E'Birds win the right to host the Hardy Cup semifinal vs Regina with a 44-15 victory on Oct 28th's fan appreciation day. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoBirdsGo?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoBirdsGo\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/oFcIcyBjA5\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/oFcIcyBjA5\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ubctbirds\/status\/924419418024587265?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 28, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E.\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UBC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@UBC\u003C\/a\u003E football scores huge 44-15 win over \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/reginarams?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@reginarams\u003C\/a\u003E to clinch home playoff game. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoBirdsGo?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoBirdsGo\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E📡: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/htsumura?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@htsumura\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003ERecap: \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/wBONOMt4bb\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/wBONOMt4bb\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/xjXi7nrk50\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/xjXi7nrk50\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UBC Thunderbirds (@ubctbirds) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/ubctbirds\/status\/924445232183222272?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EUBC muscles up in second quarter, beats Regina to clinch home field for first round of football playoffs \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/vqRBrc4biR\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/vqRBrc4biR\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/NBfUNbpRND\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/NBfUNbpRND\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Province Sports (@provincesports) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/provincesports\/status\/924466850850734081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESomeone who is not me has to look up the last time that happened. Going off of memory, it seems like the teams which have won Hardy Cup games in hostile territory were also travelling for the national semifinal (UBC in 2015, Manitoba in 2014, Calgary in 2009, among others).\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster (6-2 OUA, 12-9 home win against Queen's in quarter-final) \u003C\/b\u003E— Have you ever seen a spot where both teams were doing the \"we got it\" pointing? That happened in the final minute at McMaster after short-yardage QB\u003Cb\u003E Dylan Astrom \u003C\/b\u003Egained the necessary inchage on third-and-1. It was a bad spot, which was sort of a shame since it was such a cleanly played game.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELyons and the hog-maulies such as guards\u003Cb\u003E Josh Lolli \u003C\/b\u003Eand\u003Cb\u003E Jakub Szott \u003C\/b\u003Eand tackle\u003Cb\u003E Nick Firlit\u003C\/b\u003E were the headliners with the back's 319-yard game. But the reason Mac is still a lead-pack team in OUA despite coaching changes and loss of generational offensive talent is the defensive depth. With back-eight defenders \u003Cb\u003EBen Megarry \u003C\/b\u003Eand\u003Cb\u003E Alec Robertson\u003C\/b\u003E both out, Blake stepped up to issue a Hard No to Queen's with his interception in the penultimate minute. Veteran Mark Mackie, who was this commentator's choice as OUA Hec Crighton candidate last season (on the premise it would ever go to an interior lineman), also had a huge fourth-quarter sack.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E\"I think we can compete on the national scale every year.”\u003Cbr \/\u003EMcMaster's Mackie making his mark on 🏈, community \u0026amp; MCATs\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/vnuC4xAAhL\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/vnuC4xAAhL\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/Q1lfXXjFwj\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/Q1lfXXjFwj\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— U SPORTS (@USPORTSca) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USPORTSca\/status\/924292074161049601?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 28, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOn a rainy day, field position dictated everything, and Mac was airtight when Queen's and\u003Cb\u003E Nate Hobbs \u003C\/b\u003Egot in range. The Gaels settled for three points after recovering a fumbled punt on Mac's 22 in the third quarter. Another threat fizzled when kicker \u003Cb\u003ENick Liberatore\u003C\/b\u003E (3-of-5) dinged the upright on a game-tying field goal.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt would have been the ultimate in Canadian football weirdness if Mac had contrived to lose when they had a 300-yard game.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERegina (4-4 Canada West, 44-15 road loss at No. 6 UBC)\u003C\/b\u003E — Fall back on the \"bad dress rehearsal, great performance\" cliché. One side effect of the loss was that QB\u003Cb\u003E Noah Picton \u003C\/b\u003Ewas mercy-pulled and ended up falling shy of the 10,000-career-yard milestone. By unofficial tally, he's at 9,842.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETwo Rams alumni started in the same NFL game. The punter is a starter!\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E.\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Giants?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@Giants\u003C\/a\u003E ➡️ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Seahawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@Seahawks\u003C\/a\u003E! 👏\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LWillson_82?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@LWillson_82\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/JonRyan9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@JonRyan9\u003C\/a\u003E receive the 🇨🇦 from \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/brettjones69?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@BrettJones69\u003C\/a\u003E to continue The Great Canadian Handoff! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/CarryCanada?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#CarryCanada\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/o5kzkjQBj1\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/o5kzkjQBj1\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— NFL Canada (@NFLCanada) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NFLCanada\/status\/922291114949869568?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 23, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph (5-3 OUA, 30-8 road win against Ottawa in quarter-final)\u003C\/b\u003E — Best way to avoid a double-overtime defeat is get a team down early. The Gryphons scored four times in the first quarter and won going away, with \u003Cb\u003EJohnny Augustine \u003C\/b\u003Egaining 156 rushing-receiving yards on 22 touches.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Gryphons might well be the only team which can keep Western from coming out of OUA. There are rumblings about Guelph slipping off the field, but the holdovers from the 2015 Yates Cup team mean they are a potential giant-slayer.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EMooood. We can't hide it! 🏈🥜 \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/PlayoffFever?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#PlayoffFever\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/TeamFirst?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#TeamFirst\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ESwr16xJZa\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/ESwr16xJZa\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Gryphon Football (@GryphonFootball) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GryphonFootball\/status\/924689939031347200?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 29, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAcadia (6-2 AUS, host Loney Bowl on Nov. 11)\u003C\/b\u003E — A double bye seems like an embarrassment of riches.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAlso in consideration (but not anymore):\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOttawa (5-3 OUA, 30-8 home loss against No. 9 Guelph in quarter-final)\u003C\/b\u003E — Ouchtown, population 47. That the Gee-Gees hosted a playoff game after the stresses of this season is commendable in itself, in light of the emotions with \u003Cb\u003ELoïc Kayembe\u003C\/b\u003E's death days before another excruciating Panda Game defeat to Carleton.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYet the season ended the same way as the last one, having the quarterback, this time\u003Cb\u003E Adam Lavric\u003C\/b\u003E, knocked out of the game and scoring fewer than 10 points. There were triumphs nonetheless this season and \u003Cb\u003EJackson Bennett \u003C\/b\u003Edelivered some scale-model Bo Jackson-esque moments. If he is not an all-Canadian, there should be a Royal Commission.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaint Mary's (5-3* AUS, 26-25 home loss against Mount Allison) \u003C\/b\u003E— No this won't be salty much. Saint Mary's ended up in second place due to forfeiting a game against St. Francis Xavier, and that win might vault St. FX into the playoffs.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E(* One of Saint Mary's defeats was a forfeit.) \u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/2634634764660740286\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/10\/football-top-10-tracker-calgary-is-no-1.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/2634634764660740286"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/2634634764660740286"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/10\/football-top-10-tracker-calgary-is-no-1.html","title":"Football: Top 10 Tracker: Western has to be No. 1 now, eh? Calgary crushed by Alberta; Laval locks up No. 1 in Quebec; McMaster and Guelph win OUA quarters"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-3725258419221197602"},"published":{"$t":"2017-10-14T18:01:00.003-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-10-16T13:47:14.115-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Top 10 Tracker (and OUA ClusterFudge 2017): Calgary struggles, Guelph takes down Laurier, Regina heads to overtime"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"And boom went the tryptophan for No. 2 Calgary and No. 5 Laurier, who have each stumbled around in an apparent turkey coma after not playing during the holiday weekend.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Dinos and QB Adam Sinagra are in the driver's seat for home-field advantage throughout the\u0026nbsp; playoffs regardless of whether it comes back to defeat Manitoba (!). Calgary, trailing much of the way, has scored 14 unanswered points to take a late 34-27 lead.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENo need to remind anyone that Calgary won by 59 points in their first game; Manitoba certainly did not forget.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn central Canada, Guelph demonstrated why it was a Top 10-worthy despite three losses with a 24-14 win against Laurier that can only be described as thorough. The end result is that, apart from Western having first place locked, the other five playoff slots in Ontario are completely in an uproar. McMaster, the tortoise to Laurier's hare, can wrest the second-place playoff bye by defeating the sagging Golden Hawks in Waterloo next week.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo you know what this means for the Top 10? Laval and Western, who are both on bye weeks, are going to add support. The gilded teams gain without doing any work, yes, that's right. Which one is \u003Cb\u003EJared Kushner\u003C\/b\u003E and which one is\u003Cb\u003E Ivanka Trump\u003C\/b\u003E?\u0026nbsp;kidding, but not really.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontréal (5-0 RSEQ, 47-15 road win at Sherbrooke) \u003C\/b\u003E— \u003Ci\u003ETrop facile\u003C\/i\u003E.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"fr\"\u003E5 victoires. Aucun revers. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fpuiFl1UFg\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/fpuiFl1UFg\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Carabins (@Carabins) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Carabins\/status\/919311288030949377?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 14, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary (6-0 CW, 36-27 win against Manitoba)\u003C\/b\u003E — Stand to lose some first-place votes after very slowly pulling away from the Bisons with 16 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🏈 | How did we get that great field position for our last TD? This well placed pass by Adam Sinagra! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/FnqRWIlYgV\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/FnqRWIlYgV\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/919318753585664001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 14, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🏈 | The Dinos defence gets to the QB, eventually forcing Manitoba into a safety. Calgary leads 30-27! \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/eAklkFNq1q\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/eAklkFNq1q\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/919320463125364736?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 14, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003E🏈 RECAP | 🌬️🌬️🌬️ blows the Dinos past \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/umbisons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@umbisons\u003C\/a\u003E 36-27 today as \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Dinos_Football?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@Dinos_Football\u003C\/a\u003E improves to 6-0!\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/GoDinos?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#GoDinos\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EREAD ➡️ \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/nGwy8CrHmD\"\u003Ehttps:\/\/t.co\/nGwy8CrHmD\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/fDgbrryfh6\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/fDgbrryfh6\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— UCalgary Dinos (@UCDinos) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/UCDinos\/status\/919358299241299968?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 15, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval (5-1 RSEQ, bye week)\u003C\/b\u003E — Really,\u0026nbsp; the third-place vote is a coin flip between a one-loss RSEQ team and an undefeated team in Ontario; the debate over it just wastes valuable oxygen.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern (7-0 OUA, bye week)\u003C\/b\u003E — Might have mentioned this before, but Queen's in 2009, Western in 2011 and McMaster in 2014 all took it easy in the final game when first place was in the bag. The cautionary example for OUA teams will always be 2007 and '08, when first Ottawa and then Queen's ran the table only to lose at home in the semifinals to teams who were better than their 4-4 regular season indicated. But with Western essentially having their reg-season finale sandwiched between bye weeks, they will need to play some starters to keep them sharp.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaurier (5-2 OUA, 24-14 road loss at No. 10 Guelph)\u003C\/b\u003E — The Golden Hawks were already lower than McMaster on some ballots. They still rate being the fourth Ontario team on the ballot at No. 9 or No. 10. Their results on the road against Queen's and Waterloo, as well as against Carleton, top what Ottawa (5-2) did against those teams.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMeantime, the Golden Hawks were once again held to fewer than 17 points — and their longest gain, rush or pass, was 19 yards — in a test against a credible defence. And next week they face OUA's No. 1 ranked defence, McMaster.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster (6-1 OUA, 29-13 home win against Windsor)\u003C\/b\u003E — Speaking of which, the Marauders had another workmanlike win, coming within five minutes of completing their home schedule without allowing an offensive touchdown. Windsor's\u003Cb\u003E Marcus Kentner\u003C\/b\u003E, capping an 11-play, 75-yard drive (yes, Mac was already up by 20), went over on a three-yard rush with 4:55 left.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Marauders and frosh QB \u003Cb\u003EJackson White \u003C\/b\u003Ewill start the playoffs at home, since they cannot finish lower than third in Ontario.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUBC (4-2 CW, 29-25 win at Saskatchewan )\u003C\/b\u003E — The Thunderbirds are the wild card on both the ballot and the national playoff picture. Don't let them come near your means of conveyance.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ciframe allowfullscreen=\"\" class=\"YOUTUBE-iframe-video\" data-thumbnail-src=\"https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/2MTnj-W-_EI\/0.jpg\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2MTnj-W-_EI?feature=player_embedded\" width=\"480\"\u003E\u003C\/iframe\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Thunderbirds built a 20-point lead and, in light of QB \u003Cb\u003EMichael O'Connor\u003C\/b\u003E putting up 466 yards, likely should have more to show for their toil than 29 points. Getting the W at Griffiths Stadium counts as a character win and UBC should draw in at No. 6, behind Calgary, the two Quebec teams and McMaster and Western in whatever order.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERegina (4-2 CW, 58-55 overtime win against Alberta) — \u003C\/b\u003EThe Rams stuck it out in a score-fest.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/canadawest.org\/sports\/fball\/2017-18\/boxscores\/20171014_v6ky.xml\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EIt was a basketball game\u003C\/a\u003E. Regina's \u003Cb\u003ENoah Picton\u003C\/b\u003E passed for 386 yards; the U of A's\u003Cb\u003E Brad Baker \u003C\/b\u003Eplayed pitch and catch for a total of 437. And each running back, Regina's \u003Cb\u003EAtlee Simon\u003C\/b\u003E and Alberta's \u003Cb\u003EEd Ilnicki\u003C\/b\u003E, went for more than 200 yards. Both teams had two receivers with century games.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'm not as high on Regina as some voters. They'll probably be my 10th-place vote.\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003ENever gets old \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/USPORTS?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#USPORTS\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/SNF?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#SNF\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Giants?src=hash\u0026amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E#Giants\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/h3noumoDhY\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/h3noumoDhY\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Marshall Ferguson (@TSN_Marsh) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TSN_Marsh\/status\/919723980071817216?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 16, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaint Mary's (5-1 AUS, 55-11 win against Bishop's) —\u003C\/b\u003E Did you pick the Huskies defence and special teams in your fantasy league? One can call the special teams player of the week honour for SMU's \u003Cb\u003EJohnny King\u003C\/b\u003E, who housed both a kickoff (99 yards) and a punt (56 yards). Throw in a pair of pick-sixes and the always-popular team safety, and the Huskies' D\/ST outscored the offence 34-21. That was more interesting than the actual game.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESaint Mary's should draw in around No. 7 or 8.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph (4-3, 24-14 home win against No. 5 Laurier)\u003C\/b\u003E — Validated why people voted for them despite three losses. On the field, the winning margin for Guelph came through the 10-point swing in the third quarter when \u003Cb\u003EJacob Scarfone\u003C\/b\u003E went up (and down) the right sideline for a 120-yard missed field goal return TD. That opened a 17-0 lead and Laurier never got closer than six points.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGuelph controlled the line of scrimmage on each side of the ball, with \u003Cb\u003EJohnny Augustine\u003C\/b\u003E rushing 31 times for 176 yards and backup QB \u003Cb\u003ETheo Landers\u003C\/b\u003E complementing with 14 rushes for 86. Laurier's\u003Cb\u003E Levondre Gordon\u003C\/b\u003E (21 rushes for 71 yards) was well-contained.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Gryphons still aren't in the playoffs officially, but put themselves into a win-and-in road game at Carleton next week.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EAlso in consideration:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOttawa (5-2 OUA, 40-30 home win against Waterloo)\u003C\/b\u003E — Still hesitant to anoint Ottawa at the expense of Laurier due to the Golden Hawks, or at least the version of themselves that they were before Oct. 1, having a better showing against common opponents.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDoes one really want to give Ontario five out of 10 spots? But do either Concordia or Saskatchewan really look like they could be No. 10?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis\u0026nbsp; was Ottawa's fifth game decided by 10 or fewer points, and it has won four. Two are directly attributable to hybrid linebacker \u003Cb\u003EJackson Bennett\u003C\/b\u003E, whose 36-yard interception return for a touchdown was his second fourth-quarter game-winner this season (again,\u003Ci\u003E he's on defence\u003C\/i\u003E). Bennett also housed a 99-yard kickoff return in Ottawa's one-point win against Queen's on Sept. 4, and does that not seem pivotal.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs odd as it might sound after a 40-30 game with almost 1,100 total yards, Ottawa really won due to its defence. The stats show that Waterloo's wunderkind Tre Ford averaged a Sinopoli-esque 11.7 yards per rush (and a very cromulent 8.7 per pass), but Ford might have gone past 200 if not for being tracked by Bennett and DB \u003Cb\u003EJamie Harry\u003C\/b\u003E.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENow for OUA clusterfudge:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EThe main question is whether three teams tie at 5-3 or as many as four tie at 4-4. The former of those logjams involves a Guelph win next week with Laurier and Ottawa each losing. Since Laurier and Ottawa have not played, it gets complicated.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe four-way tie for the final two spots requires Carleton to defeat Guelph, with Queen's winning to join Waterloo at 4-4. All four would be 4-4 and tied for fifth. Guelph and Queen's did not play, which would mean turning to the dreaded \"common opponents\" tiebreaker.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWestern (7-0)\u0026nbsp; has home field advantage through to the Yates Cup, as you know.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMcMaster-Laurier, with the Marauders (6-1) trending in a more positive direction than the Golden Hawks (5-2), decides second place.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EOttawa (5-2) is at least clear of the pile-up for the final playoff spots. They are resilient and resourceful, and finishing the regular season in the black deserves acknowledgement. They have held it together after the death of defensive end\u003Cb\u003E Loic Kayembe \u003C\/b\u003Eand, while, nothing can repair the loss of young life, it seemed to be galvanizing.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOh, and they pulled off a reverse flea-flicker.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EA little Monday Morning Trickery courtesy of the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/uOttawaGeeGees?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@uottawageegees\u003C\/a\u003E!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E😏😏😏😏😏\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E📽️:\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USPORTSca?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003E@USPORTSca\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/w2h3WC2Ykz\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/w2h3WC2Ykz\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— CFL (@CFL) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CFL\/status\/919927007605125120?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\"\u003EOctober 16, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOttawa also pivoted from having an air show for three seasons with Hec Crighton finalist \u003Cb\u003EDerek Wendel \u003C\/b\u003Eto turning to frosh\u003Cb\u003E Alex Lavric\u003C\/b\u003E, the first rookie to become QB1 for the Gee-Gees since 2004. And it' graduated all-Canadian receivers in back-to-back years. Yet Ottawa has kept grinding.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBy the way, Ottawa coach\u003Cb\u003E Jamie Barresi \u003C\/b\u003Ewent against the book with third-down situations twice in the fourth quarter on Saturday.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe first didn't lead directly to points, but it was huge in the situational football sense it was great. Ottawa had third-and-3 on its 43 with the score tied 30-30 with seven minutes left. A punt would have given Waterloo decent starting position, with its offence riding the crest of three consecutive long drives.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo Ottawa snapped the ball directly to No. 2 tailback\u003Cb\u003E Donald Shaw\u003C\/b\u003E, who darted for 18 yards. The possession still ended with a punt, but Waterloo instead started on its nine-yard line. The long field let Ottawa get more aggressive, and soon enough Bennett had the pick-six.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn the second-last minute, Ottawa also had third-and-1 on the Waterloo 35-yard line with a seven-point lead. Typically that's a go-for-it situation. But like the baseball manager with a lights-out reliever, why wait to bring on a kicker such as\u003Cb\u003E Lewis Ward\u003C\/b\u003E, who's fairly automatic from 45 yards in? Ward, with Jamie Harry teeing up the ball since regular holder\u003Cb\u003E Bryce Vieira\u003C\/b\u003E had been injured moments earlier, delivered the dagger from 42 yards out.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWhether Waterloo (4-4) gets their Week 9 miracle through a Toronto upset of Queen's, they were full value for their effort at Ottawa on Saturday. Waterloo-Ottawa was likely the best-played game, pound for pound, in Ontario all week, with Warriors co-quarterbacks\u003Cb\u003E Lucas McConnell \u003C\/b\u003Eand\u003Cb\u003E Tre Ford \u003C\/b\u003Eeach leading game-tying touchdown drives in the second half.\u003Cbr f=\"\" \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/3725258419221197602\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/10\/football-top-10-tracker-and-oua.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/3725258419221197602"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/3725258419221197602"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/10\/football-top-10-tracker-and-oua.html","title":"Football: Top 10 Tracker (and OUA ClusterFudge 2017): Calgary struggles, Guelph takes down Laurier, Regina heads to overtime"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/img.youtube.com\/vi\/2MTnj-W-_EI\/default.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-8289261312657283109"},"published":{"$t":"2017-09-12T13:00:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2017-09-12T13:21:36.884-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Montreal new No. 1, Laurier joins Top 5 and who voted for Acadia? Was it Randy?"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"One man with courage makes a majority, and where I come from — Canada — we reward courage. Montréal is the new No. 1 team in the nation, but not unanimously. Take a bow, \u003Cb\u003EGord Randall \u003C\/b\u003Eof KROWN Countdown U, for being the one to give the Dinos a first-place vote.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe ballot went as follows:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable align=\"center\" cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-syVSJgmiKy0\/WbgU4wYfMoI\/AAAAAAAADPE\/_I0tSLNPsfE4NJhy__AelncJWIYj-tIfQCLcBGAs\/s1600\/top10.week3.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" data-original-height=\"480\" data-original-width=\"706\" height=\"434\" src=\"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-syVSJgmiKy0\/WbgU4wYfMoI\/AAAAAAAADPE\/_I0tSLNPsfE4NJhy__AelncJWIYj-tIfQCLcBGAs\/s640\/top10.week3.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003ESource: U Sports\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere's two games with down-ballot implications this week. Ottawa is at McMaster for a Brass In Pocket Bowl (since, you know, one of them is a pretender). Saskatchewan and coach \u003Cb\u003EScott Flory\u003C\/b\u003E get a major test at UBC.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EHere's a sampling of other ballots and power rankings from across the land:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EMy \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Usports?src=hash\"\u003E#Usports\u003C\/a\u003E FB Top-10: \u003Cbr \/\u003E1. Calgary\u003Cbr \/\u003E2. Montreal\u003Cbr \/\u003E3. Laval\u003Cbr \/\u003E4. Western\u003Cbr \/\u003E5. Regina\u003Cbr \/\u003E6. Laurier\u003Cbr \/\u003E7. Sask\u003Cbr \/\u003E8. UBC\u003Cbr \/\u003E9. McMaster\u003Cbr \/\u003E10. St. Mary's\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/UAgree?src=hash\"\u003E#UAgree\u003C\/a\u003E?\u003C\/div\u003E— Gord R. (@GARandall) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/GARandall\/status\/906961837526155264\"\u003ESeptember 10, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"fr\"\u003EThe \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/KrownCountdownU\"\u003E@KrownCountdownU\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/USports?src=hash\"\u003E#USports\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/Power7?src=hash\"\u003E#Power7\u003C\/a\u003E for week 3. Il y a une nouvelle équipe en première place. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/9RSffMTJyZ\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/9RSffMTJyZ\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— Jim Mullin (@Jim_Mullin) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Jim_Mullin\/status\/906725129803112448\"\u003ESeptember 10, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EMy \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/USports_FB\"\u003E@USports_FB\u003C\/a\u003E top ten -\u003Cbr \/\u003E1. Montreal\u003Cbr \/\u003E2. Calgary\u003Cbr \/\u003E3. Laval\u003Cbr \/\u003E4. Western\u003Cbr \/\u003E5. Laurier\u003Cbr \/\u003E6. Saskatchewan\u003Cbr \/\u003E7. Regina\u003Cbr \/\u003E8. Ottawa\u003Cbr \/\u003E9. Waterloo\u003Cbr \/\u003E10. UBC\u003C\/div\u003E— Casey Dulson (@Casey_Dulson) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Casey_Dulson\/status\/907595046731567105\"\u003ESeptember 12, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-lang=\"en\"\u003E\u003Cdiv dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\"\u003EFirst the \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Carabins\"\u003E@Carabins\u003C\/a\u003E take down \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/rougeetor\"\u003E@rougeetor\u003C\/a\u003E 21-16 \u0026amp; now they take over their spot atop the Football Power Rankings \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TxrfkYjS2H\"\u003Epic.twitter.com\/TxrfkYjS2H\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E— CUSN (@CUSNetwork) \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CUSNetwork\/status\/907313613639180291\"\u003ESeptember 11, 2017\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cscript async=\"\" charset=\"utf-8\" src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\"\u003E\u003C\/script\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003EFor what it is worth, a quick explanation of my ballot.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontréal (2-0 RSEQ, vs. Sherbrooke\/Fri.)\u003C\/b\u003E — They beat The Man, so they are The Man.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary (2-0 CW, at Manitoba\/Sat.) \u003C\/b\u003E— A three-score margin against Regina at home \u0026gt; Laval's one-score margin of defeat at Montréal..\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval (2-1 RSEQ, bye week) \u003C\/b\u003E— See No. 2. By the way, Rouge et Or coach\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003EGlen Constantin\u003C\/b\u003E is giving his team the equivalent of a \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.journaldequebec.com\/2017\/09\/10\/thibodeau-baptise-dans-le-feu-de-laction\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ethree-day weekend during its bye week\u003C\/a\u003E. Odd numbers are unwieldy for scheduling, but the \"eight over 10\" format the easternmost conferences are using is probably going to pay a dividend later in the season.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern (3-0 OUA, at Windsor\/Sat.)\u003C\/b\u003E — Guelph: \"We scored 82 points against Windsor.\" Western: \"Hold our beers.\"\u0026nbsp; \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ERegina (1-1 CW, vs. Alberta\/Sat.)\u003C\/b\u003E — As long as they have \u003Cb\u003ENoah Picton\u003C\/b\u003E, they can play with almost anybody.\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaurier (2-0 OUA, at Queen's\/Sat.)\u003C\/b\u003E — One team whose strength might have been taken on faith a little, and if Saskatchewan had played more credible opposition I might have faded the Golden Hawks. Anyway, Laurier has a good litmus test against Queen's (0-2), which is facing a must-win, is at home after a bye and might also have the emotional lift from the honouring 25th anniversary of their 1992 national championship.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaskatchewan (2-0 CW, at UBC\/Sat.) —\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;The next two weeks are a gauge of whether Canada West is a honest-to-goodness four-horse race. And it's not just how Saskatchewan represents itself at UBC and at Calgary, but whether they get through unscathed.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster (1-1 OUA, vs. Ottawa\/Sat.)\u003C\/b\u003E — Restricting Western to fewer than 375 yards is no mean feat. The Marauders need to find a quarterback like yesterday. If frosh QB\u003Cb\u003E Jackson White \u003C\/b\u003Eis The Future, how long do they wait before making him the present?\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaint Mary's (2-0 AUS, vs. Acadia\/Fri.)\u003C\/b\u003E — Huskies receiver \u003Cb\u003EArchelaus Jack \u003C\/b\u003Emight be an early leader in the national rookie of the year conversation, says the dumb guy who doesn't listen to the podcasts that probably called it a month ago. Jack, a Northern Football Conference alumnus, was a Saskatchewan Roughriders practice squad player last season — well, who wasn't? — and is off to a great start at SMU.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOttawa (3-0 OUA, at McMaster\/Sat.)\u003C\/b\u003E — Two of the four teams chosen from OUA are all defence, middling offence. When did the league become the Quebec conference from five years ago?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003EWe need to talk about ...\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUBC (1-1 CW, vs. Sask.\/Sat.)\u003C\/b\u003E — If the ranking went to 11, then the Thunderbirds would be shooed in. There are scarcely few teams as athletic as UBC, which reaping the reward of a few currents, such as renewed investment in the team and the bumper crop of talent in the province thanks to the \"Four-Down Immersion Program\" put into practice by many high school teams in the Lower Mainland. But right now they are just .500 after two games, with a clear loss.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWaterloo (3-0 OUA, at Carleton\/Sat.)\u003C\/b\u003E — The lost their Stassen-esque base after winning. It was tough to overlook this triptych: they defeated Toronto by less than a touchdown; Toronto defeated Windsor at home by a touchdown; and Windsor, well, our heart goes out to Windsor. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo I had to bump out the Warriors. Ottawa has wins against at least one eventual playoff team. Sheer process of elimination suggests Guelph (1-2) and\/or Queen's (0-2) will qualify.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph (1-2 OUA, at U of T\/Sat.)\u003C\/b\u003E — They have the capability to earn home field for an OUA quarter-final, since this season is headed toward some mass pile-up of 5-3 and 4-4 teams. It's just that there's a distaste here for rewarding teams for \"almost wins\" or meaningless slaughters, and that's all Guelph has played so far.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/8289261312657283109\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/09\/football-top-10-tracker-week-4.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8289261312657283109"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8289261312657283109"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2017\/09\/football-top-10-tracker-week-4.html","title":"Football: Montreal new No. 1, Laurier joins Top 5 and who voted for Acadia? Was it Randy?"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-syVSJgmiKy0\/WbgU4wYfMoI\/AAAAAAAADPE\/_I0tSLNPsfE4NJhy__AelncJWIYj-tIfQCLcBGAs\/s72-c\/top10.week3.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-6705475687334968863"},"published":{"$t":"2016-08-30T16:02:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-08-31T10:21:29.178-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bisons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mounties"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ravens"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stingers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"U of S Huskies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"UBC Thunderbirds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"X-Men"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"#Top10VoterProblems: UBC opens the season No. 1, by slim margin over Montréal"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"A buzzsaw named \u003Cb\u003EDeezar \u003C\/b\u003Ecame through B.C. last weekend, but that was not enough to change voters' minds for the first football Top 10 of the season.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EVoters in the poll have free reign to decide how much stock to give to exhibition results, such as Manitoba's 50-7 win against defending national champion UBC last Friday at Westhills Stadium on Vancouver. Those games aren't played at full intensity, and the road team is often coming with a lean travel squad whereas the hosts will carry extra players.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe first poll of the season is always as the hardest; an invisible hand -- thank you, \u003Cb\u003EAdam Smith\u003C\/b\u003E -- tends to help a consensus develop. Six teams got at least one No. 1 vote, and there seems to be strong consensus around eight teams. That's really all that should be ranked, but for marketing purposes, you need 10 teams. A novel total would break the haters' brains.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUBC Thunderbirds (266, 20):\u003C\/b\u003E Never been a fan of the 'they are champs until proven otherwise' argument, since it defeats the purpose of having an opinion about who is the best. The 'Birds are young, but they showed last season that the early stages of a season aren't a be-all.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontreal (261, five):\u003C\/b\u003E The line out of the Carabins' camp: \"\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.tvasports.ca\/2016\/08\/29\/la-carte-cachee-des-carabins\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EEven the pope is replaceable\u003C\/a\u003E.\" New quarterback\u003Cb\u003E Samuel Caron\u003C\/b\u003E has been in the system for a few seasons, and aged-out\u003Cb\u003E Gabriel Cousineau \u003C\/b\u003Ehas stayed on as an assistant coach. Time will tell how U de M manages the transition.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval (218):\u003C\/b\u003E For the first time in memory, Laval comes out of the chute without someone thinking they are No. 1. They are rebuilding, relatively, and perhaps the age cap finally is starting to have an effect.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern (188, two):\u003C\/b\u003E As a greater mind put it, good to see the blowout issue has been addressed in Ontario! The Mustangs beat Windsor by 72 points in the opener. Last season, they met in Week 1 and Western won by 69. Defensive lineman \u003Cb\u003EJohn Biewald\u003C\/b\u003E, who was in camp with the Ottawa RedBlacks, returns to #The613 for Sunday's game against Carleton. As if he won't find motivation intrinsically.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EManitoba (182, one): \u003C\/b\u003ESomeone put stock in the wipeout at Westshore, judging from the first-place vote. \u003Cb\u003ETheo Deezar\u003C\/b\u003E had three touchdown passes. The Bisons welcome in Calgary on Thursday.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph (177): \u003C\/b\u003EAll three rotational tailbacks got exactly 11 totes against U of T, with aptly named \u003Cb\u003EMack Jones \u003C\/b\u003Ecounting 92 yards and two TDs. Outside linebacker \u003Cb\u003ERiley Baines\u003C\/b\u003E, who missed the Yates Cup season while upgrading some courses, made his return with a sack last week.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary (147, two):\u003C\/b\u003E Lose the Hardy Cup two seasons in a row and everyone forgets you have been pretty damn good for a long time. I put Calgary in my top 5, and not just because new QB1 \u003Cb\u003EJimmy Underdahl\u003C\/b\u003E is a left-hander, which is rare in three-down football for reasons no one has ever been able to explain.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster (146, one): Asher Hastings\u003C\/b\u003E,\u003Cb\u003E Dan Vandervoort \u003C\/b\u003Eand the whole Maroon and Grey gang averaged 9.8 yards per play in the 40-10 win against Carleton. Mac's September slate is Toronto-Waterloo-Ottawa-bye, so there might be some opportunity to be a little experimental before that circled date on the calendar, Oct. 1 vs. Guelph. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOn little more than a hunch, I had Mac at No. 4 with Montréal, Western, Calgary as the top three and Laval at No. 5.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECarleton (37):\u003C\/b\u003E The Ravens certainly were caught off-guard against McMaster, and it doesn't get much easier with Western coming to the nation's capital on Sunday. It is a pivotal season for CU, since underachieving is going to slow the momentum the program had at the launch phase. A greater concern than the 30-point loss is that key defender\u003Cb\u003E D'Sean Thelwell \u003C\/b\u003Egot banged up last Sunday. Still a good chance of being a 6-2 team.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaurier (37):\u003C\/b\u003E Since the other two big-boy conferences have yet to play, having a fourth OUA team as a placeholder at No. 10 makes sense. There's some evidence on them, compared to Concordia or Saskatchewan. Laurier's Onyekas were outstanding against Queen's: \u003Cb\u003ENakus Onyeka \u003C\/b\u003Ehad nine tackles and two sacks, whereas \u003Cb\u003EGodfrey Onyeka \u003C\/b\u003Ehoused an interception return for the ahead-for-good TD.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003EAlso receiving votes: Concordia (18), Saskatchewan (13), St. Francis Xavier (6), Mount Allison (5), Sherbrooke (2).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u0026nbsp;3½\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/6705475687334968863\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/08\/top10voterproblems-ubc-opens-season-no.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6705475687334968863"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6705475687334968863"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/08\/top10voterproblems-ubc-opens-season-no.html","title":"#Top10VoterProblems: UBC opens the season No. 1, by slim margin over Montréal"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-4348570749692665409"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-20T19:15:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-20T20:43:12.422-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Martlets"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"SMU Huskies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tommies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"UBC Thunderbirds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Wishful Thinking Wednesday"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Women's Puck Bracketology"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Women's Puck Bracketology: Montreal routs out newbie UBC; SMU medals; a passionate plea for STU"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003E(Editor's note: In the interest of sustaining conversation, the plan for the three hockey and hoops nationals threads that I am off-site for is to have some belated Wishful Thinking Wednesday posts that pertain to each championship. Below that will be an open thread with results and whatnot.)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Super Championship weekend, let's get this inked in right off the hop, is a winner for CIS.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd, and I swear this occurred to me before the St. Thomas Tommies -- shunted to the No. 8 seed so the Calgary \u003Cb\u003EHayley\u003C\/b\u003E's Comet Has Gones could play the prime-time Friday quarter-final, l\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.cis-sic.ca\/championships\/wice\/2016\/boxscores_champ\/20160317_x11u.xml\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eost to No. 1 Guelph\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhy not try to have the women's hockey and hoops championships \u0026nbsp;as close together as possible, and aim to have the men's basketball Final 8 and men's hockey University Cups in cities that are safe driving distance, for the diehards or alumni that might have a school make both?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe SCW is a great idea; this Shelbyville Idea is a next step. The regionalists will howl, but everyone will get a turn, and this gets out in front of the coming day when some of these tournaments are going to get too extensive for one school to bid. In fact, that day is already here?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe SCW should not be walked back. You need to be seen, and as it stands, wall-to-walling it with the eight semifinals and four finals in hockey and hoops makes sense.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhat of having an atmosphere? 'Having a national conversation about CIS, it might make sense to somewhat tether these tentpole tournaments.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EThe female teams might have a better forum for their talent and effort if the hockey and hoops tournaments were staged in close proximity. More work for the host(s), but more CIS-fluent people descending on one spot for 4-5 days, more of a cluster occurs.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThey would probably come up with better ideas than this off-the-cuff stuff. Does it sound like I am spending a second consecutive weekend blogging at a university with a combo basketball\/hockey facility?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe same could work for the University Cup and men's Final 8, although in that case, it just be more workable to get schools within a two-hour drive of one another hosting. There are, and will soon, be a lot more OHL-size arenas that can be converted for basketball.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EJust a thought. Suppose St. Thomas and UNB — \u0026nbsp;if only, if only, there was a power couple, say a V-Reds man and a Tommies woman, who are passionate about sports and Fredericton could get 'em around the table — had partnered. UNB hosting the W-Final 8, then they put in a bid for women's hockey, with STU as the host team. It would involve that whole Freddy Beach community, and win-win-win, make reparations for UNB dropping its women's varsity a few years ago.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003EResults so far\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMedal Games\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGold\/silver: Montréal 8, UBC 0\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003E— \u003C\/b\u003EThe more established program was ready and UBC was a little out of its depth. The mere fact that the Thunderbirds were there is great.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBronze: Saint Mary's 3, Guelph 1\u0026nbsp;— \u003C\/b\u003EMake it two CIS bronze medals for women's Huskies teams in the same day, and two in hockey for a total of three. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo what happened? Saint Mary's\u003Cb\u003E Nicole Blanche \u003C\/b\u003Egot the icebreaker 1:49 into the game, and SMU got to play from ahead the whole afternoon.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat's French-language school, West Coast school and East Coast school on the podium. Great to see for a CIS league that is still shy of its 20th anniversary.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESemifinal Saturday\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUBC 2 Guelph 1 (OTS) \/ Montreal 3 Saint Mary's 2\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Cb\u003E— \u003C\/b\u003EVery, very few sports seem to get a final four of conference champs, or even one with all four involved. Each was a close game. Focus there!\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQuarter-finals\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003E2\/7\/3\/6 pod\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaint Mary's Huskies 1 Western Mustangs 0 — \u003C\/b\u003EThe karma just keeps on coming, does it not? Former UNB player\u003Cb\u003E Sylvia Bryson\u003C\/b\u003E wins her case to have the women's hockey Varsity Reds reinstated. Then Saint Mary's, once pulled back from the chopping block, has won AUS and took out the defending champs. The Huskies'\u003Cb\u003E Rebecca Clark\u003C\/b\u003E's 26-save shutout including facing down a 44-second two-woman power play in the third.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMight we retire the \"goalie stood tall with [X number of] saves\" cliché? Even \u003Cb\u003EDarren Pang\u003C\/b\u003E stood tall. By definition, this is the only way to stand, although there is no end of ways to stop a shot.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontréal Carabins 4 Calgary Dinos 0 — \u003C\/b\u003EThe same two cities that played in the Clarkson Cup last weekend.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cb\u003E1\/8\/4\/5 pod\u003C\/b\u003E \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph 3, St. Thomas Tommies 0\u0026nbsp;—\u003C\/b\u003E It is truly lamentable that STU got Lamenta'd, as Guelph goalie \u003Cb\u003EValerie Lamenta\u003C\/b\u003E had an 18-save shutout.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUBC Thunderbirds 4, McGill Martlets 2 (eng) \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/b\u003E— We like a 'bird' team from a school that faced Montreal in football last fall in the semi. Now, if you haven't \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cbc.ca\/news\/canada\/british-columbia\/danielle-dube-39-year-old-mother-leads-ubc-into-hockey-playoffs-1.3473084\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eread the story from two weeks back about UBC's 40-year-old goalie\u003C\/a\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EDanielle Dube\u003C\/b\u003E, please do, and share it on social media.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/4348570749692665409\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/womens-puck-bracketology-guelph.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/4348570749692665409"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/4348570749692665409"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/womens-puck-bracketology-guelph.html","title":"Women's Puck Bracketology: Montreal routs out newbie UBC; SMU medals; a passionate plea for STU"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-1078838450495051030"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-09T13:37:00.003-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-09T13:54:27.153-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS women's hockey"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lakers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Martlets"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"SMU Huskies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tommies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"UBC Thunderbirds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Women's Puck Bracketology"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Women's Puck Bracketology: Guelph goes for No. 1 seed, Western tries to win one for Saint Mary's"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"There is a great feature some national sports network could produce about No. 1 Guelph's coach, \u003Cb\u003ERachel Flanagan\u003C\/b\u003E, and her now five-year-old child.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Gryphons' guide was, as you would recall, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thestar.com\/sports\/hockey\/2011\/03\/03\/gaels_gryphons_women_set_hockey_record.html\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Edue any day that night five years ago this month\u003C\/a\u003E when Guelph and Queen's \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.gogaelsgo.com\/news\/2011\/3\/3\/HOCKEYW_0303115525.aspx\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Eengaged in a six-overtime playoff series opener\u003C\/a\u003E. There is some human drama for you. Plus the Gryphons, under the leadership of someone who captained the team in its nascence, have become a world-beater.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003EThey grow up so fast.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/i\u003EIt can be easy to forget women's hockey has\u0026nbsp;been on Canadian Interuniversity Sport's roster for fewer than 20 years. Or that even 10 years ago, the nationals were usually a roll call of usual suspects: Alberta, Laurier and McGill, lather, rinse, repeat, add a host team, an assigned team and the AUS, add stir. Now it is one of the most unpredictable sports when it comes to who shows up at nationals. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHierarchy? McGill and Montréal as 1A and 1B in Quebec notwithstanding, this is a democratic sport. Take Nipissing, a new-ish team. The Lakers eliminated next year's nationals host, Queen's and then played the equivalent of a four-game series against Western last weekend. The Mustangs finally coaxed a series-winning goal past NU's\u003Cb\u003E Jacqueline Rochefort \u003C\/b\u003Eafter nearly 112½ scoreless minutes in Game 3 last weekend. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnyway, the seeding.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EWomen's hockey not only tries to avoid same-conference quarter-finals, but same-conference semifinals whenever possible, assuming that I read\u0026nbsp;\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/static.psbin.com\/a\/u\/ai0i52l0tflb12\/HockeyW.pdf\" target=\"_blank\"\u003ESection 4.2.2 correctly\u003C\/a\u003E, and had an administrator at a school whose team is out explain it slowly enough to me. The Western-Guelph McCaw Cup matchup on Saturday will determine the seeding.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/en.cis-sic.ca\/sports\/wice\/top10\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EUsing the current Top 10\u003C\/a\u003E, essentially Guelph will be No. 1 next week in Calgary if it wins. The Mustangs are playing for No. 3 at nationals, but a win means McGill next Thursday instead of Saint Mary's.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf Guelph wins on Saturday, everything falls into place:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGuelph (OUA champion)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMontréal (RSEQ champion)*\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESaint Mary's Huskies (AUS champion)* \u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUBC Thunderbirds (Canada West champion)*\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMcGill Martlets (RSEQ assigned)*\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWestern Mustangs (OUA assigned)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESt. Thomas Tommies (AUS assigned)*\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECalgary Dinos (host)*\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003EA Western win, sighs of relief all around, will not cause any controversy. Calgary to No. 7 is an easy pivot. St. Thomas and Montréal meet in the quarter-final either way, and each stay in the same half of the bracket. It's not relevant that Calgary gets a 7 seed even though it was not ranked all season and went two-and-out in the first round against Regina.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMontréal (RSEQ champion)*\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESaint Mary's (AUS champion)*\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EWestern (OUA\u0026nbsp;champion)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EUBC (Canada West champion)*\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGuelph (OUA\u0026nbsp;assigned)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003EMcGill (RSEQ assigned)*\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECalgary (host)*\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ESt. Thomas (AUS assigned)*\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003ESaint Mary's becomes the big winner, presumably, since it goes from defending national champion Western to Calgary, which was ousted on Feb. 20. For what it is worth, every so often a host team that is on hiatus for that long comes back refreshed and focus and wins, like the 2005 Weyburn Red Wings and 2012 Shawinigan Cataractes in junior hockey.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Dinos' layoff adds up to 25 days, which is almost as long as some of the more dubious Memorial Cup host teams of recent vintage. There's another story!\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E(* already determined) \u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/1078838450495051030\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/womens-puck-bracketology-guelph-goes.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/1078838450495051030"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/1078838450495051030"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/womens-puck-bracketology-guelph-goes.html","title":"Women's Puck Bracketology: Guelph goes for No. 1 seed, Western tries to win one for Saint Mary's"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-5664071880299263045"},"published":{"$t":"2016-03-09T11:55:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-03-09T20:54:55.089-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Bears"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Men's Puck Bracketology"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Patriotes"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Pronghorns"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ravens"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"SMU Huskies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"U of S Huskies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"University Cup"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Varsity Reds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"X-Men"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Men's Puck Bracketology: AKA the 'St. Francis Xavier wins' edition"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003E(Updated: the X-Men, with Sudbury Wolves alumnus Nathan Pancel sniping a tiebreaking goal 1:59 into the third, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/atlanticuniversitysport.com\/sports\/mice\/2015-16\/postseason\/boxscores\/20160309_mh95.xml\" target=\"_blank\"\u003Ebeat No. 1-ranked UNB 5-3 to sweep the AUS championship series\u003C\/a\u003E. Time to change our tenses!)\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDrew Owsley \u003C\/b\u003Ecreated a domino effect.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESt. Francis Xavier finished the job against No. 1-ranked UNB on Wednesday in Game 2 of the best-of-3 AUS championship, which semi-halfway radically altered the seeding for the CIS University Cup. Men's hockey is relatively straightforward about its seeding. The winners of each sport conference form the top three \"based on their respective team national ranking in the final Top Ten of the season.\" The OUA runner-up draws into the No. 4 seed, and everyone else is arranged accordingly.\u0026nbsp; \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo we have some idea of the fallout from the X-Men winning,\u0026nbsp;especially in a format that looks deep within each team's soul and assigns them a seeding based on their place in a media poll. Please bear in mind this is using this week's Top 10. There is no anticipating whether there will be a shift when the contributors submit their final, final Top 10 on Saturday night after the OUA Queen's Cup (Trois-Rivières at Western)\u0026nbsp;and play-in bronze game (Guelph at Carleton).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETrois-Rivières (OUA champion) —\u003C\/b\u003E Based on having 140 points to take the No. 2 spot in the poll. Former Saint John Sea Dogs goalie \u003Cb\u003ESébastien Auger\u003C\/b\u003E was a game-stealer in the sealer last Saturday against Carleton.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaskatchewan Huskies (Canada West champion)\u0026nbsp;— \u003C\/b\u003ESweeping Alberta, 4-0 and 3-2, did not nudge them over the Pats in the poll.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESt. Francis Xavier X-Men (AUS champion)\u0026nbsp;— \u003C\/b\u003EOne would think that the X-Men might even siphon away No. 1 votes if they take down the the \u003Cb\u003EGardiner MacDougall \u003C\/b\u003Egang. They were still 34 points adrift of Saskatchewan in last week's penultimate Top Ten.\u003Cb\u003E Brad Peddle\u003C\/b\u003E's lads had some bounce-back in the clincher. They spotted the V-Reds the first two goals, levelled, and former OHLer\u003Cb\u003E Nathan Chiarlitti\u003C\/b\u003E had a mid-second period response goal only 55 seconds after UNB had taken its second lead.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern Mustangs (OUA runner-up)\u0026nbsp;— \u003C\/b\u003EAnything can happen in a one-game final on the Mustangs' home ice, just saying.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUNB Varsity Reds (AUS runner-up)\u0026nbsp;—\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026nbsp;Not a bad loss for UNB if the form holds in London, Ont., on Saturday. The V-Reds would get a quarter-final against a team which was unranked much of the season. Being in the 4 vs. 5 game also puts them in the same scheduling bloc as Saint Mary's, which is probably also helpful.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith the ex-OHLers Nathan Chiarlitti and Nathan Pancel getting big goals for the X-Men on Wednesday, any Ontarian named Nathan might not be welcome around the Aitken Centre for a while.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAlberta Golden Bears (Canada West runner-up)\u0026nbsp;— \u003C\/b\u003ESaskatchewan goalie \u003Cb\u003EJordon Cooke\u003C\/b\u003E, a Kelowna Rockets alumnus, was named Canada West player of the year. The last time a goalie got the honour was Lethbridge's \u003Cb\u003ETrevor Kruger \u003C\/b\u003Ein 1993-94. You know what else Lethbridge did that season? \u003Cb\u003EMike Babcock\u003C\/b\u003E coached it to the national title. There's \u003Cstrike\u003Ea very small sample size\u003C\/strike\u003E an omen for you.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECarleton Ravens (OUA bronze medal)\u0026nbsp;— \u003C\/b\u003EConfidence check: 72 per cent sure that the Ravens get 'er done against Guelph on Sunday in the play-in, AKA the OUA bronze-medal game.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaint Mary's Huskies (host)\u0026nbsp;— \u003C\/b\u003ESMU has a 48-44-29 poll lead against Western and Guelph. A pair of upsets by the OUA West teams might nudge them into the 7 vs. 2 quarter-final. That would segue into the meaning of \"try to avoid\" same conference matchups. It has occurred in the past, albeit in other sports, that a conference winner and the team that won the bronze-medal play-in game for the conference's third berth were matched in the first round.\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/5664071880299263045\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/mens-puck-bracketology-aka-what-if-st.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5664071880299263045"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5664071880299263045"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/03\/mens-puck-bracketology-aka-what-if-st.html","title":"Men's Puck Bracketology: AKA the 'St. Francis Xavier wins' edition"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-1393772720855805554"},"published":{"$t":"2016-02-27T22:45:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-02-28T11:45:29.872-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Badgers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Basketball"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lancers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lions"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ottawa Gee-Gees"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ravens"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"RPI"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ryerson Rams"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Thunderwolves"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Voyageurs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Wilson Cup"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"#RPIProblems: Ryerson nabs OUA No. 1 seed due to Brock beating Guelph; tanking appears to have been avoided"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Updated ... since the OUA doesn't go to the fourth digit, Brock (.5128 RPI) and Queen's (.5130 RPI) are technically tied for the sixth seed. The Badgers move up due to having 13 regular-season wins to Queen's 11. Far be it to argue that instead of using a Tie Breaking Policy, the sixth seed could actually go to the team with the better RPI, even if it is by two-ten thousandths of a point.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAlso, far be it to wonder whether any team contemplated the reality that if you're not a Top 4 bye team, it's really immaterial where you finish. There is a 'shifting deck chairs' aspect to sweating out whether you're fifth, sixth or seventh when you have one more hurdle to get to the OUA Final Four or CIS Final 8 than Ryerson, Ottawa, Carleton and McMaster, which probably also have deeper benches.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBrock Badgers coach \u003Cb\u003ECharles Kissi \u003C\/b\u003Ehad\u003Cb\u003E Dani Elgadi \u003C\/b\u003Eplay 35 minutes and three other starters play at least 30 (\u003Cb\u003ETyler Brown \u003C\/b\u003Ehad only 22 before fouling out) in their 65-62 win at Guelph, which became RPI-irrelevant since it eliminated the Gryphons.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnd as it turned out, Brock would have got sixth if it had lost on Saturday. Their outcome \u0026nbsp;mainly flipped Ryerson above Ottawa for the No. 1 seed, and caused Windsor and Queen's to trade places in the 5 and 7 seeds.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca name='more'\u003E\u003C\/a\u003EHere is the official RPI:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-aBK0gNKr2Qw\/VtMREm8yF6I\/AAAAAAAADGQ\/LHt8H-GsRJk\/s1600\/OUAMBBRPI-official.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-aBK0gNKr2Qw\/VtMREm8yF6I\/AAAAAAAADGQ\/LHt8H-GsRJk\/s640\/OUAMBBRPI-official.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo rather than 'pick your poison,' it's more like Kissi was choosing one for \u003Cb\u003ESteph Barrie\u003C\/b\u003E and the Queen's Gaels.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe upshot is no one tanked. So there is that. For comparison's sake, here is how it would have shook out with a Guelph win on Saturday:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_kHvHZA-Mag\/VtJpLJlo1MI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/65h40WLWmZE\/s1600\/OUAwhatifGuelphbeatsBrock.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-_kHvHZA-Mag\/VtJpLJlo1MI\/AAAAAAAADGA\/65h40WLWmZE\/s640\/OUAwhatifGuelphbeatsBrock.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EConvoluted, much? One could put forth an argument that if it is between this and knowing the playoff matchups weeks ahead, then let's create the chaos apace.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe next level from that is that since it's not unheard of for teams in other university sports to rest key players before the playoffs, well, it's not that underhanded to tank in the last week of the regular season to try to exert control over potential matchups. There is a moral difference between tanking when the system rewards it and actual game-fixing.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat said, Ontario University Athletics owes it to all concerned to make one simple change: \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003Einclude all 19 teams in the RPI. \u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003EThis issue would not come up again. It must be noted, though, that in Year 1 of the RPI playoffs, it protected the top four teams, Ottawa, Carleton, Ryerson and Windsor. It didn't this time, since the OUA is more balanced among its top strata of teams and its pretty good teams.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESo, mea culpa for not remembering at 11 p.m. Saturday night that the the official RPI didn't go to the fourth digit. Here is what it looked like at CIS Hoops:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-5TFfeHIdbMs\/VtMZ2tW4oBI\/AAAAAAAADGg\/tr0HGBxinIw\/s1600\/OUAMBBRPI-unofficial.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-5TFfeHIdbMs\/VtMZ2tW4oBI\/AAAAAAAADGg\/tr0HGBxinIw\/s640\/OUAMBBRPI-unofficial.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhile we're here, here's what would be nice to see as a future format for the power conference.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003EGo to a 20-game schedule for all concerned, with the Central, East and North teams having an extra home-and-home against a non-divisional team. It could rotate through over a number of years.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ECap winning margins in the 90th percentile to control for the mismatches that are a fact of life throughout regular-season play in CIS, and use Simple Ranking System (SRS) to determine a 12-team playoff field. Whether that continues to involve an even three per division or something more akin to the NHL's divisional format with at-large\/wild-card teams is irrelevant.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003EAnyway, hopefully the playoffs are half this frenetic. Put the calculators down and get the popcorn ready.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt is a modified bracket. The winner of the 12 vs. 5 game will play the 4 seed on Quarter-Final Weekend; winner of 11 vs. 6 visits the 3 seed, and so on. The OUA re-seeds for the Final Four, which Ryerson is in the driver's seat to host if it defeats either Lakehead or Western.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/1393772720855805554\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/02\/rpiproblems-ryerson-nabs-oua-no-1-seed.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/1393772720855805554"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/1393772720855805554"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/02\/rpiproblems-ryerson-nabs-oua-no-1-seed.html","title":"#RPIProblems: Ryerson nabs OUA No. 1 seed due to Brock beating Guelph; tanking appears to have been avoided"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-aBK0gNKr2Qw\/VtMREm8yF6I\/AAAAAAAADGQ\/LHt8H-GsRJk\/s72-c\/OUAMBBRPI-official.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-6157713659689655389"},"published":{"$t":"2016-02-21T13:05:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-02-21T13:07:10.524-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Badgers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Basketball"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Final 8"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gee-Gees"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"OUA"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ravens"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"RPI"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ryerson Rams"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Thunderwolves"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"#RPIProblems: What Ottawa needs to wrest top seed, OUA Final Four hosting"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Focus up: whether it is Guelph or Lakehead as the OUA Central's third playoff team is \u003Ci\u003Eyugggge.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor fun, time to go to cishoops' \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/cishoops.ca\/mbb2015\/ouarpi-scenario.php?Gender=MBB\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EScenario Consideration page\u003C\/a\u003E, playing with drop-down tabs\u0026nbsp;— \u003Ci\u003ELaurentian over Ottawa? Why not? \u003C\/i\u003E— to see how it would affect the RPI used for playoff seeding.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor a refresher, here is what we are looking at in the event the pre-filled selections all come through during the final week of the regular season:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-jZDAqW-BMN4\/Vsnk4D2nM_I\/AAAAAAAADE0\/54kU7wUAt8s\/s1600\/OUARPI.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"424\" src=\"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-jZDAqW-BMN4\/Vsnk4D2nM_I\/AAAAAAAADE0\/54kU7wUAt8s\/s640\/OUARPI.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere should be some discord if, indeed, it comes to pass that 6-13 Toronto and 5-14 Laurentian get in over 9-10 Guelph. The point of an analytics-based playoff seeding was to strip out some of the geographical biases that came up under the old East\/West structure. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis is the business we have chosen, though, so here's a handy bullet-pointed listed of games that could turn the table. The RPI-ifications of each game are being considered in a vacuum (i.e., the higher-percentage teams win all of the other games).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EMac at Brock, 7:30 Wednesday, Meridian Centre\u0026nbsp;— \u003C\/i\u003ESt. Kitt's is getting its big-venue game on, and the Badgers will have benefit of a raucous student section. McMaster could vault to fourth in RPI with a win, with the Badgers and Windsor Lancers sliding a slot. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat takes that Mac-Carleton quarter-final out of play.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003ERyerson at Queen's, 8 p.m. Friday\u0026nbsp;—\u003C\/i\u003E Worth noting since \u003Cb\u003ESukhpreet Singh \u003C\/b\u003Eand the Gaels are one of the more intriguing mid-table teams, fomenting a certain alumnus' delusions that Queen's is the sleeping giant of OUA men's basketball. If Queen's somehow, some way turned around a 16-point losing margin from their January game at Mattamy, Ottawa would vault to first with Ryerson second, Carleton third.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u0026nbsp;\u003Ci\u003ELakehead at Western, 8 p.m. Friday\u0026nbsp;— \u003C\/i\u003EThe Mustangs probably did the math; a home-floor win potentially creates a playoff rematch with the Thunderwolves in the 9 vs. 8 prelim game. Toronto goes to Queen's in the 10 vs. 7 in that scenario.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Ci\u003EMac at Guelph, 8 p.m. Friday; Brock at Guelph, 8 p.m. Saturday\u0026nbsp;— \u003C\/i\u003EWhither the Gryphons after administering comeuppance to \u003Cb\u003EJuwon Grannum\u003C\/b\u003E-less Ryerson?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGuelph owns the tiebreaker against Lakehead, so that playoff spot flips with one Guelph win and Thunderwolves' losses at Western and on Windsor on Saturday. (Prove me wrong, Great Group of Dudes 8.0; prove me wrong.)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMac handled Guelph 99-77 at home in January, shooting an effective 56.3 per cent with all five starters hooping at least nine points while \u003Cb\u003ERohan Boney \u003C\/b\u003Escored 18 in as many minutes. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf Guelph pulled if off on Friday with Lakehead having a winless weekend:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-dSmCBGIOPFg\/Vsn6XuOpzPI\/AAAAAAAADFE\/sMkhr2xecf8\/s1600\/OUA2.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"408\" src=\"https:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-dSmCBGIOPFg\/Vsn6XuOpzPI\/AAAAAAAADFE\/sMkhr2xecf8\/s640\/OUA2.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENow, in the possibly more plausible scenario that the Gryphons got that all-important tiebreaker-inducing win at the 11th hour against the Badgers, who will have had two full nights off? Ottawa again goes to No. 1.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-JjZwjoFPh88\/Vsn752UN8tI\/AAAAAAAADFQ\/WR40genVroA\/s1600\/OUA3.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" height=\"422\" src=\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-JjZwjoFPh88\/Vsn752UN8tI\/AAAAAAAADFQ\/WR40genVroA\/s640\/OUA3.jpg\" width=\"640\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt pretty much plays out that way in any scenario where Guelph goes to the playoffs and Lakehead is eliminated.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003EHappy hoops-following! \u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/6157713659689655389\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/02\/rpiproblems-what-ottawa-needs-to-wrest.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6157713659689655389"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6157713659689655389"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/02\/rpiproblems-what-ottawa-needs-to-wrest.html","title":"#RPIProblems: What Ottawa needs to wrest top seed, OUA Final Four hosting"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"https:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-jZDAqW-BMN4\/Vsnk4D2nM_I\/AAAAAAAADE0\/54kU7wUAt8s\/s72-c\/OUARPI.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-4809958137512906627"},"published":{"$t":"2016-02-17T22:39:00.003-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2016-02-17T22:41:54.271-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gee-Gees"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"OUA men's basketball recap"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"RPI"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ryerson Rams"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Thunderwolves"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"#RPIProblems: Guelph's upset against Ryerson might not affect OUA seeding"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Long story short, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/oua.ca\/sports\/mbkb\/2015-16\/boxscores\/20160217_epy3.xml\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EGuelph's 96-92 upset against No. 1 Ryerson\u003C\/a\u003E might have ramifications for the CIS Final 8, but not for the OUA Wilson Cup playoffs, because RPI.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECommit 24 turnovers against a desperate and dialed-in team, and the law of unintended consequences can kick in for an entire conference. The Gryphons, with\u003Cb\u003E Jonathan Wallace \u003C\/b\u003Escoring 27 on 85.7 per cent effective shooting while \u003Cb\u003EDaniel Dooley \u003C\/b\u003Ehad 19 points and nine assists with 70% eFG and \u003Cb\u003EAhmed Haroon\u003C\/b\u003E had the \u0026nbsp;20-point, 12-rebound double-double with 61.5% eFG, stunned the nation's top-ranked team. Ryerson's starting five gave the ball away with 19 times; only \u003Cb\u003EAdika Peter-McNeilly\u003C\/b\u003E, who scored 37 to lead a comeback attempt, \u0026nbsp;was immune for the slippery-fingeritis.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe upshot, though, is that this will only hurt the Rams' place in the 'RPI playoffs' if the Gryphons surmount Lakehead (9-6) for the third playoff spot out of the OUA Central. Only games against playoff teams count, after all.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Gryphons likely have to win at least 2-of-3 to invoke their tiebreaker advantage against Lakehead and get that playoff berth. Meantime, McMaster's loss to Lakehead will count in the seeding, but this Ryerson loss likely will not.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGuelph's remaining games are all at home against Toronto and two top 10 teams, Brock and McMaster.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELakehead hosts Ryerson and Toronto on Friday on Saturday, then finishes up with a Western\/Windsor road trip. One has to have a little empathy for whichever team finishes fourth in the Central. They will surely have a better overall record than either the third team out of the East, whilst playing in a division with two Top 6 teams.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs the oracle of the orange ball says:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cblockquote class=\"tr_bq\"\u003E\"\u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/canhoopsca.wordpress.com\/2016\/02\/17\/gryphs-shock-1-ryerson\/\" target=\"_blank\"\u003EPlenty to think about given the unique format of using a ranking tool designed for 300+ teams that count each and every game and applying it to 12 teams with only games among those 12 teams counting in the ranking\u003C\/a\u003E.\"\u003C\/blockquote\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhat Mr. \u003Cb\u003EWacyk \u003C\/b\u003Esaid. Using an analytics-based format was a bold and welcome idea, but the application clearly has bugs in it that come up when a top team gets caught in a trap game.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/4809958137512906627\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/02\/rpiproblems-guelphs-upset-against.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/4809958137512906627"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/4809958137512906627"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2016\/02\/rpiproblems-guelphs-upset-against.html","title":"#RPIProblems: Guelph's upset against Ryerson might not affect OUA seeding"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"sager"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08757652892056684490"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"32","height":"32","src":"\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-HoppI3_eGQc\/VrWGl9xFY2I\/AAAAAAAADEA\/ucwvqUnIa7M\/s220\/Neate1379-4x4M.JPG"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-2277815180962733631"},"published":{"$t":"2014-01-27T21:07:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2014-06-21T21:58:48.669-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Badgers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Basketball"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Basketball Week In Review"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Capers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gaiters"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Redmen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Stingers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Thunderwolves"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tigers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"UBC Thunderbirds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Varsity Reds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"WolfPack"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Basketball: Week in Review, Jan. 21–26"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003ENext in a series of the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/kenpom.com\/blog\/index.php\/weblog\/entry\/week_in_review_1_10_1_16\"\u003Ekenpom-inspired\u003C\/a\u003E Week in Review ... \u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBiggest upsets\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E2. WBB: Lakehead (23%) over Brock, Saturday (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/sports\/wbkb\/2013-14\/boxscores\/20140125_p0n7.xml\"\u003Ebox\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/b\u003E. There are so many storylines involved with this game. Starting with the positive: \u003Cb\u003EJylisa Williams\u003C\/b\u003E has been phenomenal in her short Thunderwolf career. Through six games, Williams is averaging 21.8 points per game on 45 per cent shooting, both \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/03\/calculated-reactions-top-ccaa-womens.html\"\u003Ebetter than expected\u003C\/a\u003E. She had 20 points in this 63-36 blowout, and grabbed 16 (!!!) rebounds. Williams is listed as a 5-8 guard, yet still outrebounded the Brock starters 16-10 on the game. As for the negatives, the Badgers are collapsing. They are 2-4 in 2014, have fallen out of the CIS top 10 and sit fifth in the OUA West. Topping it off is a recent feud between star \u003Cb\u003ENicole Rosenkranz\u003C\/b\u003E and head coach \u003Cb\u003ESi Khounviseth\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/brocktv.ca\/badgers-den-update-january-15th\/\"\u003Eafter Rosenkranz was benched in a loss to her former team\u003C\/a\u003E. While this Lakehead win seems like an upset now, it may not at the end of the season if they can finish above Brock.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E1. MBB: Concordia (22%) over McGill, Thursday (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/sports\/mbkb\/2013-14\/boxscores\/20140123_qgud.xml\"\u003Ebox\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/b\u003E. The Redmen suffer another loss, again by the same formula. They conceded 33 free throws to Laval in their first loss and only shot 61.5 per cent themselves. Against Concordia, McGill gave the Stingers 20 attempts and they made 18 of them; McGill was just 18-for-28. \u003Cb\u003EVincent Dufort\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EDele Ogundokun\u003C\/b\u003E combined for 4-15 on the night, which is probably not what you want from your leading scorers.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECrazy comebacks\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable cellpadding=\"0\" cellspacing=\"0\" class=\"tr-caption-container\" style=\"float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;\"\u003E\u003Ctbody\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-trJPi3eVmPI\/UucJ4uj4e-I\/AAAAAAAABP4\/SGWCidmepkQ\/s1600\/WBB_CBU_DAL_WP_20140125.png\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-trJPi3eVmPI\/UucJ4uj4e-I\/AAAAAAAABP4\/SGWCidmepkQ\/s320\/WBB_CBU_DAL_WP_20140125.png\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd class=\"tr-caption\" style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003EWBB: Cape Breton 62 at Dalhousie 67 (Jan. 25, 2014)\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/tbody\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cb\u003E3. WBB: Laval (3.1%) over Bishop's, Saturday (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/sports\/wbkb\/2013-14\/boxscores\/20140125_fxgo.xml?view=plays\"\u003Eplay-by-play\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/b\u003E. Bishop's had a 21-3 lead with 2:56 left in the first quarter, but Laval would not lay down. They used defence to claw their way back in, holding Bishop's to four points in the second quarter and six points in the fourth quarter. The Gaiters only made nine baskets after the first quarter and with 1:50 left in the third quarter, Laval took over and did not look back. Bishop's is 0-8 this season, so the comeback is really just sad more than anything.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E2. MBB: Guelph (2.7%) over Laurier, Saturday (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/sports\/mbkb\/2013-14\/boxscores\/20140125_5kdt.xml?view=plays\"\u003Eplay-by-play\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/b\u003E. \u003Cb\u003EMax Allin\u003C\/b\u003E knocked down a free throw with 1:46 left in the third and Laurier took a 71-55 lead. It was the low point of the game for the rebuilding Guelph Gryphons, but they would rally back in a committee effort to get the three-point victory. \u003Cb\u003ETrevor Thompson\u003C\/b\u003E, a third-year forward, nailed four free throws in the final 68 seconds to put Guelph up 84-81. It was a wasted effort from \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.chathamdailynews.ca\/2014\/01\/24\/allin-to-play-pro-basketball-in-australia\"\u003Ethe Australia-bound Allin\u003C\/a\u003E, who scored 33 points, including 6-9 from beyond the arc.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E1. WBB: Dalhousie (2.3%) over Cape Breton, Saturday (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/sports\/wbkb\/2013-14\/boxscores\/20140125_6ksj.xml?view=plays\"\u003Eplay-by-play\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/b\u003E. In a crucial game, Cape Breton seemed to have it in hand at the half, holding a 35-19 advantage. But Dalhousie shot 18\/28 in the second half, and that combined with a dry spell in the last 4:22 of the game for Cape Breton to give Dal the W. The Tigers would rally from 62-55 to win 67-62. The graph at right does a better job of showing how improbable the comeback was, on multiple occasions.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBiggest changes in SRS\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003ESRS, or Simple Ranking System, is the basis for our \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/p\/basketball-team-rankings.html\"\u003Ebasketball team rankings\u003C\/a\u003E. These teams moved the most in the rankings vs. last week.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EUp: UBC MBB, +11 (27th to 16th).\u003C\/b\u003E UBC is on the upswing, with a 4-2 record in 2014, but they will still need a great playoff run if they want to make it to nationals.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EDown: UNB MBB, +14 (12th to 26th).\u003C\/b\u003E UNB dropping two games to UPEI is what sees the Varsity Reds plummet. Not a good time for that, with each their final five games being worth four points.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESlowest game of the week: MBB Concordia at McGill, Saturday (65 possessions)\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis was not the comeback game, which was two days earlier. Instead, it was a 70-49 blowout for McGill. This is what you expect from the slowest and fourth-slowest teams in the country.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFastest game of the week: MBB Lakehead at Brock, Saturday (90 possessions)\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETwo rebuilding \u0026mdash; or \"reloading\" if you ask Lakehead coach Scott Morrison \u0026mdash; teams playing at a wicked pace is not surprising. It's a good strategy: hope to catch a team on an off-night, then you shoot the lights out. And maybe, following the women's upset of the Badgers on the same night, Lakehead just wanted to get out of town before anyone noticed.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETa'Quan Zimmerman Watch\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETa'Quan Zimmerman is your favourite CIS player; you just don't know it yet. He shoots at a ridiculous clip: 50.5 per cent overall, and 48.6 per cent from three. He is a junior college transfer and is simply playing out of his mind. He only shot 17-37 over the weekend, but had just had three turnovers total. The games over Trinity Western were critical too, because the squads were knotted at 7-7 before Thompson Rivers put together a sweep. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBest games of the upcoming week\u003C\/b\u003E (all times Eastern)\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003EGames to watch for playoff implications, the closeness of the two teams competing, or the standout individual performances...\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMBB: Acadia at UNB (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/atlanticuniversitysport.com\/links\/bewlnv\"\u003EFriday 7:00pm, Saturday 2:00pm\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/b\u003E. UNB could really flip the AUS on its head if they can beat Acadia twice, but even splitting the games would be a positive.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMBB: Ottawa at Ryerson (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/stats.oua.ca\/client.stretchinternet.com\/client\/ryerson.portal#\"\u003EFriday 8:00pm\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/b\u003E. This is the marquee match-up of the weekend, really. Ryerson could be an opponent for Ottawa in the playoffs, but the Rams have not looked the same this year and a home victory over Ottawa would be massive.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMBB: Carleton at Ryerson (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/stats.oua.ca\/client.stretchinternet.com\/client\/ryerson.portal#\"\u003ESaturday 8:00pm\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/b\u003E. Ryerson got tagged with a 118-65 loss last time around, though they did not have a full roster that game. There is potential for a revenge game, but it is unlikely, given that the Ravens have \u003Cb\u003EPhil Scrubb\u003C\/b\u003E and a cast of thousands.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMBB: McGill at Bishop's (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/live.streamit.ca\/?player=2129\"\u003ESaturday 8:00pm\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/b\u003E. It's the second of a double-header and both teams are 6-2. The second game is listed because McGill's favoured in both so the home-court advantage for the Gaiters makes this one slightly more equal. It has the potential to be the most important conference game of the year.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMBB: Victoria at Lethbridge (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/client.stretchinternet.com\/client\/canadawest.portal\"\u003ESaturday 9:00pm\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/b\u003E. If Lethbridge could add a win over Victoria, it would be their third regular season win over a top-ten ranked team. They have defeated Alberta and Saskatchewan before, but a third win over No. 3 UVic bodes well for their potential chances at a wild card berth.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMBB: Winnipeg at TRU (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/client.stretchinternet.com\/client\/canadawest.portal\"\u003ESaturday 10:00pm\u003C\/a\u003E)\u003C\/b\u003E. Ta'Quan Zimmerman takes on an average defence in the Winnipeg Wesmen. What's dangerous (or fun, depending on who you cheer for) is that Winnipeg gives up a three-point percentage of 37.7 per cent, tied for highest in the conference. Ta'Quan should be fun to watch.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/2277815180962733631\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2014\/01\/basketball-week-in-review-jan-2126.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/2277815180962733631"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/2277815180962733631"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2014\/01\/basketball-week-in-review-jan-2126.html","title":"Basketball: Week in Review, Jan. 21–26"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Scott Hastie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08081415078301065374"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-trJPi3eVmPI\/UucJ4uj4e-I\/AAAAAAAABP4\/SGWCidmepkQ\/s72-c\/WBB_CBU_DAL_WP_20140125.png","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-7901548626500082250"},"published":{"$t":"2013-11-22T15:54:00.002-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-11-22T15:54:22.904-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Badgers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Tigers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Track and Field"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Warriors"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"X-Men"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"X-Women"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Track \u0026 Field: Gryphons start off with a bang!"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"The CIS track \u0026 field season officially kicked off on Friday, November 15th with the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.trackie.com\/track-and-field\/Results\/2013-zoltan-tenke-classic\/2390\/\"\u003EZoltan Tenke Classic\u003C\/a\u003E, hosted by the University of Guelph. The Classic is an annual but low-key event that opens up each season for the Guelph Gryphons, the powerhouse of CIS cross-country and track \u0026 field.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGuelph is coming off yet another successful cross-country season, as both the men's and women's teams took first place. Since head coach \u003Cb\u003EDave Scott-Thomas\u003C\/b\u003E took over the program in 2005, his teams have won eight consecutive cross-country national titles. Their winning ways on the trails have also carried over to the track. The men won national track \u0026 field titles in 2008, 2010 and 2013, while the women took home top honours in 2008. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAlso at the meet along with the Gryphons were representatives from the Waterloo, Brock and a few independents \u0026mdash; all of whom were also kicking off their indoor seasons.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDue to the timing of the meet and the number of participants, there were only six track events; 60m, 1000m and 3000m for both men and women.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMeanwhile the field events (long jump, high jump, pole vault, weight throw and shot put) were mixed, which put the athletes in the unusual situation of having to compete against the opposite gender.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs expected, the hosts dominated, winning nine of the eleven events. The Gryphons won all of the female track events and swept the field events, but struggled by their standards in the male races.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMo Yassin\u003C\/b\u003E of Waterloo took home first place in the 60m dash. The third-year engineering student finished 6th last year at the OUA championships in that event.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn what was the most exciting race of the day, \u003Cb\u003ETommy Land\u003C\/b\u003E beat out Guelph teammate \u003Cb\u003EAdam Rowles\u003C\/b\u003E by one-hundredth of a second in the 1000m.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIn the 3000m, heavily favoured \u003Cb\u003EAaron Hendrikx\u003C\/b\u003E was upset by the relatively unknown \u003Cb\u003EMatt Jurysta\u003C\/b\u003E of \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/speedriver\"\u003ESpeed River TFC\u003C\/a\u003E. Hendrikx is considered one of the top distance runners in the country, winning the 2013 cross-country championships (he was also the CIS Male Athlete of the Week at the time of the race).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnother surprise came in the weight throw, as \u003Cb\u003ESarah Dougherty\u003C\/b\u003E beat two male competitors to finish second. Her personal-best throw of 16.46 metres was just a bit too short to top fellow Gryphon \u003Cb\u003EBrent Roubos\u003C\/b\u003E’ mark of 16.63m.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe high jump was also an event of note. Rookie \u003Cb\u003ESean Cate\u003C\/b\u003E won with a jump of 2.07 metres which, according to the Gryphons’ website, is the second best mark in school history.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhile Guelph was winning some serious hardware, nearly 1,800 kilometres away in Halifax, another meet was taking place. The Saint Mary’s Open started the year for athletes from Saint Mary’s, St. F-X, Dalhousie and Acadia. StFX won the event, but the Tigers had more first place finishes.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EUpcoming events on the \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.trackie.com\/CIS\/TNF\/Calendar\/\"\u003ECIS track and field calendar\u003C\/a\u003E include:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cul\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENov. 29 – University of Toronto Blue and White\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENov. 30 – McGill Martlet Invitational\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENov. 30 – Western Season Opener\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003ENov. 30 – York Xmas Open\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ul\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/7901548626500082250\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/11\/track-field-gryphons-start-off-with-bang.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7901548626500082250"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/7901548626500082250"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/11\/track-field-gryphons-start-off-with-bang.html","title":"Track \u0026 Field: Gryphons start off with a bang!"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Graham Neysmith"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/18087411272443037026"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-8020016309213055041"},"published":{"$t":"2013-11-05T11:38:00.000-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-11-05T19:07:39.285-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Algoma Thunderbirds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Badgers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Basketball"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gee-Gees"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lancers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lions"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"previews"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ravens"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ryerson Rams"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Thunderwolves"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Varsity Blues"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Voyageurs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Warriors"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"The Tiers of the OUA: A Men's Basketball Season Preview"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"For the 2013-14 OUA preview, I've divided all the teams up into tiers. Ontario is deep this year with four teams being in the conversation for nationals. There are other teams who could surprise too, if they get a few lucky bounces and some transfers pan out. Then, we have some programs floundering in the basement without a shred of hope of making noise. For each team, I've given a projected finish and a player to watch. That player is a combination of on-court entertainment while also being a barometer for the success a team will have. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003ECIS Title Contenders\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003ECarleton Ravens\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere is no weakness in the Ravens’ game. Sure, their jerseys are lacking in creativity, but that’s the most significant criticism I can find. The team that claimed its ninth CIS title in 11 seasons this past year, Carleton will put more distance between themselves and the rest of the pack come March 2014.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBehind \u003Cb\u003ETyson Hinz\u003C\/b\u003E, the \u003Cb\u003EScrubb\u003C\/b\u003E brothers, and transfer \u003Cb\u003EVictor Raso\u003C\/b\u003E there is just no way another team beats these guys. We’re talking about a team that nearly beat the Syracuse Orange.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPhil Scrubb\u003C\/b\u003E is the best player in the country — this much is tough to debate and until he shows any signs of slowing down, Carleton is a lock to compete for the W.P. McGee Trophy. Scrubb led the conference in PER (with Tyson Hinz and \u003Cb\u003EThomas Scrubb\u003C\/b\u003E right behind him) and he shoots 47 per cent on two point shots and 41 per cent on three point shots. (Unless otherwise specified, all statistics refer to the 2012-13 season.) \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELast year, Dave Smart orchestrated the best offence and defence in the country. Not just the OUA — the entire CIS. The Ottawa Gee-Gees had an offensive rating of 107, second in the country to Carleton’s 122 (!). The gap between the Ravens and the field for defensive was closer — Carleton put up a defensive rating of 84, with the next closest figure being 89 from the Ryerson Rams.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ECarleton owns the best REB% in the league at 41 per cent. They get to the line at a great pace – second to McMaster – and shoot the highest 78 per cent at the charity stripe. The Ravens hold teams to a 40 per cent eFG% too. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf you haven’t caught on yet, Carleton can do it all and their key players all fall somewhere in the top ten in the nation. Expect another dominating season from the Ravens.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer to Watch\u003C\/b\u003E: Phil Scrubb. I just want to know what this guy’s ceiling is. He opened the year with 38 points on 13 shots through two games. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProjected Finish\u003C\/b\u003E: CIS Finals – Wilson Cup Champions\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWindsor Lancers\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis is a veteran team. \u003Cb\u003EJosh Collins\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EEnrico Diloreto\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003ELien Phillip\u003C\/b\u003E are all in their fifth year of eligibility. They are this year’s version of the 2012-13 Lakehead Thunderwolves, relying on experience through the long season. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWindsor’s strength lies in their defence, which plays a suffocating press that forces turnovers at the highest rate in the conference. Phillip grabs 28% of the Lancers’ defensive rebounds, good for No.1 in that category. He’s also a highly capable defender on the block and while not a player who blocks shots (he only had 14 blocks last season), Phillip can bother shots in a help situation.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe concern for this team will be how they function on offence. \u003Cb\u003EMichael Petrella\u003C\/b\u003E played a ton of minutes at guard for the Lancers last year, but with his departure, Windsor has to look elsewhere to get the ball moving on offence. Collins is a top-level point guard, great at distributing the ball to his teammates. His average of 4.1 assists per game put him at 15th in the country. But the issue here is his turnovers. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe talented teams in the OUA prey on turnovers, and if you can’t control turnovers — as Collins has shown — you’re not going to win. Last year, take a look at the OUA teams who made it to the CIS Final 8: Lakehead, with Greg Carter and Dwyane Harvey leading the charge; Carleton, with the Scrubb brothers and Clinton Springer Williams wreaking havoc on ball-handlers; Ottawa, with Johnny Berhanemeskel and Warren Ward finishing top-five in total steals, and the Lancers. Windsor as a team has a low TOV% (20 per cent) but Collins owns a 24 per cent TOV%. It’s tough to build a successful offence around that, proven by their lowly 98 O-Rtg. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnother key to shoring up their offence will be reigning in Diloreto. He’s a talented offensive player, but he shoots an abysmal eFG% of 44 per cent. His shooting is only compounded by his USG%, which ranks 13th in the league among qualified players. If coach \u003Cb\u003EChris Oliver\u003C\/b\u003E can move some of those possessions to \u003Cb\u003ERotimi Osuntola Jr.\u003C\/b\u003E - a hyper-efficient guard with range - Windsor should be able to come out on top of the OUA West.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELastly, they need to improve in all areas of free throws — both getting to the line and knocking them down. Their free throw to field goal attempted ratio is second worst in the OUA (to Western), and their free throw percentage is the worst, at 65%. If they can do a better job at getting to the line and setting up that hellacious press that Oliver has crafted, the O-Rtg should improve greatly.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer to Watch\u003C\/b\u003E: Lien Phillip - Professional-level talent, will be key to maintaining their defence. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProjected Finish\u003C\/b\u003E: Medal at the CIS Championship - potential Wilson Cup finalist\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003EContenders for a Final 8 berth\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EMcMaster Marauders\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe talk in Hamilton has been about nationals, and I think that’s a fair conversation to have.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAdam Presutti\u003C\/b\u003E had a rough sophomore season, riddled with injuries causing him to never catch on in the lineup. Outside of that, McMaster’s roster all made significant strides; \u003Cb\u003EJoe Rocca\u003C\/b\u003E become a reliable offensive weapon, \u003Cb\u003ETaylor Black\u003C\/b\u003E emerged as one of the best players in the conference (and nation), \u003Cb\u003ERohan Boney\u003C\/b\u003E won a Rookie of the Year award and \u003Cb\u003ENathan McCarthy\u003C\/b\u003E proved himself to be a top defensive big man. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith all of those players back, the Marauders seemed poised to build off a good season in 2012-13. It started off rough, with only two wins and five losses after the interlock period. But the team would turn it around and finish 13-8 and were this close to getting to the Final Four before succumbing to Lakehead in the Thunderdome. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMcMaster had an average offence, but that was largely a product of Boney and Redpath having to take control when Presutti missed games. When the 2011 CIS Rookie of the Year did play however, he improved the offence with his playmaking ability. Presutti posted a 26 per cent AST% last season, good for second in the conference.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhere McMaster hangs their hat is on defense, and don’t expect a regression there. Boney is a great defender, Black and McCarthy can handle nearly any frontcourt and head coach \u003Cb\u003EAmos Connolly\u003C\/b\u003E has added some other talent to beef up the defense. \u003Cb\u003ETrevon McNeil\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EHamid Nessek\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003ELeon Alexander\u003C\/b\u003E — all in their first year with the program — are solid players who are overwhelming when defending the perimeter. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBlack could take the next step and be in the conversation for an All-Canadian spot. He posted the best PER for players not from Carleton and has shown a knack for scoring at the right time and taking over quarters.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI’m very high on this team because I’ve already said a couple hundred words about them and haven’t even talked about some players who won't be playing major minutes for them. They lost \u003Cb\u003EScott Laws\u003C\/b\u003E, an emotional leader for the team, but as the team matures, they should have been able to replace the void.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThey’ll need to knock off a ranked team to get to the CIS Final 8, but don’t be surprised if they do. This team is ten players deep and capable of playing with any team in the conference.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer to Watch\u003C\/b\u003E: Taylor Black. He is only in his fourth year of eligibility and has already made noise through the beginning of this season. Just how good can he be?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProjected Finish\u003C\/b\u003E: Second in the OUA West, potential Wilson Cup finalist.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EOttawa Gee-Gees\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith the departure of \u003Cb\u003EWarren Ward\u003C\/b\u003E — a player who received NBA camp invites and praise from professional hoops writers — \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.ottawacitizen.com\/sports\/Former+Warren+Ward+signs+deal+Germany\/8737365\/story.html\"\u003Eto Germany\u003C\/a\u003E, it’s easy to sweep the Gee-Gees out of the conversation. But there is more to the Garnet and Grey than Ward. \u003Cb\u003EJohnny Berhanemeskel\u003C\/b\u003E is the league-leader in three-pointers made, \u003Cb\u003EVikas Gill\u003C\/b\u003E is an efficient option to take some more of the offensive load and \u003Cb\u003EMike L’Africain\u003C\/b\u003E has been stellar through the Gee-Gees undefeated pre-season. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETo say L’Africain struggled through his sophomore season is putting things gently. Offensively, he was unable to be efficient while playing off Ward’s double teams and was an average defender with a D-Rtg of 98. But L’Africain has all the tools to be an effective point guard for an electric offence. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHead coach \u003Cb\u003EJames Derouin\u003C\/b\u003E has looked to increase the tempo of the game, and that lends to L’Africain’s ball handling abilities and decision-making. Last year, the second-year guard finished 16th in the OUA for assists. Playing alongside Gill and Berhanemeskel gives L’Africain two lethal weapons on the perimeter, so his assist numbers should improve this year.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI mentioned earlier that the Ottawa offence is second in the conference and while it will regress due to the loss of Ward, it will still be up there with the best. The defence is what’s suspect here.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMatt Nelson\u003C\/b\u003E, a six-foot-nine centre, hardly played last year after suffering multiple injuries. In fact, he even doesn’t show up on the CIS roster for last year’s team. But he’ll be the key to keeping the Gee-Gees defence in the upper echelon of the OUA ranks. Ottawa played a small-ball rotation, with Gill at six-foot-seven being the largest player on the court. While this rotation led them to a CIS bronze, it’s hard to imagine this being sustainable after losing a strong perimeter defender in Ward. If Nelson can come in and become a fearsome paint presence, Ottawa’s defence could take a leap. But that’s a tall task for a second-year player with minimal on-court experience. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAnother key piece to the defensive puzzle is \u003Cb\u003ECaleb Agada\u003C\/b\u003E, who showed himself to have a little something during the Gee-Gees CIS Final 8 run. He has been getting a lot of minutes early in the season and I'm bullish on his perimeter defence being able to slow some offences down.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENelson should have time to grow, however. Last year, Derouin had his team forcing opponents into difficult shots, gang-rebounding and forcing turnovers. All of those skills do not require height; they require extreme amounts of will and no player missing a beat. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith Derouin behind the bench, L’Africain poised to become a top OUA point guard and the majority of the parts from a CIS medal finish still in tact, the Gee-Gees could be in the hunt for a CIS wild card berth.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer to Watch\u003C\/b\u003E: Mike L’Africain. With Ward gone, someone will have to take over on offense and orchestrate. Can L'Africain pick up the slack? My quick answer is yes.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProjected Finish\u003C\/b\u003E: potentially in the OUA bronze medal game - CIS wild card conversation\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003ERyerson Rams\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYou could make the case for Ryerson to be a CIS contender. They have the pieces; they only lost one player from last year’s team and added some intriguing talent.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut I’m pessimistic about this Rams squad. Their offence earned a pedestrian O-Rtg of 100 despite having \u003Cb\u003EJahmal Jones\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EAaron Best\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EJordan Gauthier\u003C\/b\u003E. Those players though, might be the reason that their offence struggled. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBoth Best and Jones have been efficient on two-point shot attempts: Best shot 55 per cent from inside the arc while Jones shot 45 per cent last year. That figure from Jones is a dip in production from his first three years in OUA play, when he shot 48.3 per cent in 2011-12 and a scorching 52.4 per cent in 2010-11. His shot totals through those years were all within 11 FGA of each other. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGauthier shot 51 per cent on non-threes last year, but 122 of 266 shot attempts were threes last year, where he only made 40 — or 32 per cent of his attempts.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt’s the three-point shots that are killing the Rams. Through twenty games last year, 38 per cent of Ryerson’s shots were threes and they only shot 29.0 per cent behind the arc. That’s a lot of threes for a team that isn’t particularly good at it.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETeams with similar three-point shot rates? Carleton with 39.5 per cent and Ottawa with 39.7 per cent. But those squads are really, really good at threes. The Ravens knocked down 40.2 per cent of threes and Ottawa knocked down 40.1 per cent.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI’m not saying that Ryerson should abandon the three-point shot. My point is that they’ll need to make better decisions in the half court. The three aforementioned guards lead the team in USG% and if they want to make it to the Final 8 tournament, head coach \u003Cb\u003ERoy Rana\u003C\/b\u003E is going to have to reign their shooting in. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EInstead, they should look to \u003Cb\u003EBjorn Michaelsen\u003C\/b\u003E. He is a solid big man and shoots a team-best eFG% of 56 per cent. He is polished in the post and should receive more touches than he did last year. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ERyerson is capable of making nationals, but it will take a major shift in player tendencies to get there. Can Rana change the established player styles of his three guards?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer to Watch\u003C\/b\u003E: Aaron Best. In his third year, he has the opportunity to climb into the top five scorers of the OUA. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProjected Finish\u003C\/b\u003E: potentially in the OUA bronze medal game - Wild card conversation\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003EUp-and-comers\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003ELaurentian Voyageurs\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EManny Pasquale\u003C\/b\u003E is gone, but this team has the ability to rework itself and make noise in the OUA East. Don’t expect them to be challenging Ottawa or Carleton at the top of the standings, but they should have upset potential in the playoffs.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGeorges Serresse\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EJamie Weldon\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EStephen Williams\u003C\/b\u003E have all moved on from the program but \u003Cb\u003EJosh Budd\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003ENelson Yengue\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003ETychon Carter-Newman\u003C\/b\u003E should have no issues filling those minutes. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBudd has already shown a scoring prowess, leading the team in scoring over Waterloo in the season opener. Carter-Newman is a defensive monster and able to clean up some plays on the offensive glass too. Nelson Yengue didn’t use a ton of offensive possessions last year, but made good on the times he did, shooting a 52 per cent eFG%.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis team is balanced, with an O-Rtg and D-Rtg of 101. \u003Cb\u003EAlex Ratte\u003C\/b\u003E had a great year last year while leading the team in USG%, but it’ll be interesting to see how the loss of Pasquale impacts the defenders he faces. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI’m buying Voyageur stock because of that Sudbury advantage and returning players who are capable of filling in for the losses. The only thing that worries me about this team is what happens when Ratte has an off night or takes on an elite defender. Who takes on the shooting responsibilities? It looks like Budd, but he only averaged 7.2 points a game last year in 24 minutes per game. Will he be able to carry the offence?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer to Watch\u003C\/b\u003E: Josh Budd. I hinted at it before, but I’m really curious to see if the fourth-year can take these offensive units to new heights in the post-Pasquale era.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProjected Finish\u003C\/b\u003E: Third in OUA East\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EQueen’s Golden Gaels\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EQueen’s has never made the national tournament. For a school with rich history and enough spirit to support a handful of OUA competitors, that’s a jarring fact. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut the Gaels seem to be building towards something now. Last year, rookies \u003Cb\u003ESukhpreet Singh\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003ERoshane Roberts\u003C\/b\u003E were second and third in minutes played per game. Fourth-year \u003Cb\u003EGreg Faulkner\u003C\/b\u003E led the team in minutes and scoring before going down with an injury. His strong debut in tricolour after transferring from Carleton put Queen’s at 6-3 heading into the winter break. The wheels fell off later in the season, going 1-4 in their final five games without Faulkner to finish 10-10.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt’s those outstanding rookies that put the Gaels in the up-and-coming conversation. Both were thrust into high usage situations, tasked with carrying the offence. The adjustment from high school to the OUA got the best of the two, with Singh putting up an eFG% of 46 per cent and Roberts hitting at a 40 per cent clip. Those are two sobering numbers, but there are positives.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESingh got the line at an all-OUA level. His free throw rate of 0.37 was good for ninth in Ontario. He only made 74 percent of his free throw attempts, but for a rookie to come out and make a habit of getting to the charity stripe is nothing short of impressive. Singh also has an elite play-making ability, finishing his first-year campaign with a 21 per cent assist rate to put him at tenth in the conference.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor Roberts, there are not many redeeming offensive numbers. All around, it looks pretty bleak. He’s not a great shooter from anywhere, doesn’t do well at the line (71 per cent last year) and averaged just over an assist a game. Those numbers will definitely turn around as he gains experience.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhere Roberts could redeem himself is to grow on the defensive end. He showed promise; he averaged a hair over a steal per game last year and owned an impressively low 2.6 fouls committed per 40 minutes. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMike Mullins\u003C\/b\u003E — brother of Columbia University and member of the Canadian development team Grant Mullins — joins the team and should take some of the scoring load off of Roberts.\u003Cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003E\u0026nbsp; \u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENikola Misljencevic\u003C\/b\u003E has had a strong pre-season, including 20 points over No. 8 McGill to lead his team to an OT victory. He only averaged seven shots a game, but it’s likely that he’ll take more possessions too.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDon’t expect a breakout season though. This team will likely be building off of last year’s success and give their young players more on-court experience.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer to Watch\u003C\/b\u003E: Greg Faulkner. He is a savvy player with range who has the potential to go for 30 if the defence is sleeping on him.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProjected Finish\u003C\/b\u003E: Loss in OUA quarterfinals\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003ELaurier Golden Hawks\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis one is a tough call. Their roster screams \"average\" as evidenced by last year’s O-Rtg of 94 and D-Rtg of 101. Both marks are just middle of the pack, but more importantly, they are far off from the mark of teams that compete for the Wilson Cup year-in and year-out.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EStill, they have a chance to make a run. \u003Cb\u003EMax Allin\u003C\/b\u003E, in his final year of eligibility, is one of the best scorers in the country. He plays an efficient style; good three-point shooting and a ton of free throws. Third-year \u003Cb\u003EWill Coulthard\u003C\/b\u003E has one of the quickest triggers in the conference, willing to throw it up at any second. Consistency is still an issue for him, though. He used the most possessions out of any player on his team, but only shot at an eFG% of 45 per cent. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWhile those two players are good on the offensive end, there are not many other players to rely on and that’s where we see the difference between them and true contenders. Allin and Coulthard combine for many of the team’s possessions per game but the others go to players who simply are not efficient enough to be deemed worthy of using a possession.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe next two leaders in USG% are \u003Cb\u003EPatrick Donnelly\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EJamar Forde\u003C\/b\u003E, at 20 per cent and 19 per cent respectively. Donnelly, who left the team late last year for unknown reasons but is back now, shot a horrific 39 per cent eFG%. That’s 96th worst among players that played at least one-third of team minutes. There were only 107 players that qualified. Forde isn’t much better - he ranks 85th in the category.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHead coach \u003Cb\u003EPeter Campbell\u003C\/b\u003E will have to either move those shots to Coulthard and Allin or find new sources of offence. \u003Cb\u003EMatt Chesson\u003C\/b\u003E, OUA Rookie of the Year, and incoming rookie \u003Cb\u003EJack Simmons\u003C\/b\u003E could give them that offence. Chesson has size and a post-game, while Simmons has put up 11.6 points through five preseason games.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETheir defence is average but should be better with Donnelly back, Chesson playing more minutes and Allin maintaining a low foul rate. Turning that offence around is more important than making that defence on par with team’s in the running for the title.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer to Watch\u003C\/b\u003E: Max Allin. He broke the school scoring record last year in his first game back after the passing of his father. Allin can light it up with the best of them and is always worth a look.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProjected Finish\u003C\/b\u003E: Fourth in OUA West - OUA semifinal loss\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003ELakehead Thunderwolves\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI refuse to put Lakehead in the basement. Yes, \u003Cb\u003EScott Morrison\u003C\/b\u003E is on a professional leave of absence, scouting for the NBA D-League’s Maine Red Claws. Yes, the group of players like \u003Cb\u003EJoseph Jones\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EGreg Carter\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EYoosrie Sahlia\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EBen Johnson\u003C\/b\u003E, and \u003Cb\u003EMatthew Schmidt\u003C\/b\u003E who took this program to a new level are all gone. But the Thunderwolves will find a way, as they always seem to.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELakehead had a surprising preseason, playing the Victoria Vikes tough and grinding through a game against Carleton. They dropped some games to inferior opponents, but once this team plays gets their feet wet and uses that Thunderdome advantage, they’ll be back in the conversation for the top of the OUA West. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESince the majority of players who played for this team are gone (and \u003Cb\u003ERyan Thomson\u003C\/b\u003E is sitting out the year to recover from knee surgery), I’ll shy away from putting stock in team stats. However, we can look at some players with increased roles that will try to get Lakehead back in the CIS Final 8.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAnthony McIntosh\u003C\/b\u003E is a fourth-year player who has been asked to take on increased importance for this squad. He did not log major minutes last year — his highest minute total was in the final game of the regular season with 13 — but has already played a ton in the preseason.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EIgor Lebov\u003C\/b\u003E is a transfer from Franklin Pierce University and he has a wealth of talent. Lebov could another one of those players that Morrison has plucked out of seemingly nowhere and has potential to lead this team in scoring.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EJustin Bell\u003C\/b\u003E is in his final year of eligibility after bouncing around the OUA. He’s played for Ottawa and York but looks poised to grab a starting forward spot on the roster. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith so many moving parts, this season could go very right or very wrong for the Thunderwolves. Not having Morrison behind the bench puts a damper on my optimism slightly. What will kill this team’s chances is a slow start in the difficult interlock period.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer to Watch\u003C\/b\u003E: Igor Lebov. The transfer is a talented player on offensive who can hit from anywhere on the court. He could give below-average defenders nightmares.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProjected Finish\u003C\/b\u003E: Third in the OUA West, loss in the semifinals\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003EPlayoffs, but barely\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EYork Lions\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHead coach \u003Cb\u003ETom Olivieri\u003C\/b\u003E has built a good roster here, with a lot of depth and experience. True, this team is competing in a tough conference, but I like their chances.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EAaron Rados\u003C\/b\u003E is leading this squad as a fifth-year forward. He plays tough and led the team in minutes last year, although just barely beating out \u003Cb\u003EDavid Tyndale\u003C\/b\u003E. Rados will be asked to take on more of the offensive load this year since Tyndale was a major source of their scoring.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis could be a good shift though, as Rados had a 52 per cent eFG% last year, a respectable mark in the top-third of the conference. He spreads his shots well; taking just under half his shots from three while shooting a decent 35 per cent and getting to the line consistently. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Lions’ defence was respectable last year too, posting a D-Rtg of 103. A lot of that can be credited to \u003Cb\u003ENick Tufegdzich\u003C\/b\u003E, a fourth-year forward who anchors this defense. Olivieri has to hope that his presence inside can push that D-Rtg south of 100. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI’ve put this team in the \"up-and-coming\" section because I think their experience will pay off. But there is no time for growing pains and the loss of Tyndale can’t linger on the offence. Tyndale was an \"oh no the shot clock is running down, here just take the ball\" guy and did a decent job in that role. But do they have the pieces to replace that? They should, as Olivieri seems intent on playing nine guys in his rotation, according to a York Lions website video. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer to Watch\u003C\/b\u003E: Aaron Rados. With more possessions heading for his hands, he is one of the most intriguing players in the OUA East.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProjected Finish\u003C\/b\u003E: Sixth in OUA East, lose in quarterfinals.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWestern Mustangs\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI’m expecting this team to squeak into the playoffs but only as a product of a weaker lower half of the OUA. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI’m not a fan of this team whatsoever, as they play a rough style that is not exactly fun to watch. Last year, in a regular season match-up against McMaster, the Mustangs could not hit a shot from anywhere on the court. Mac was running them out of the gym and instead of accepting that the game was lost, Western decided to just start playing dirty. They began to hit players at every possible second and it became a safety concern.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat Mustang squad is the proud owner of the worst O-Rtg in the conference, at 86. The leader for that offensive unit was \u003Cb\u003EPeter Scholtes\u003C\/b\u003E, who used 27% of the possessions but put up an eFG% of 41 per cent. He is back to lead the offensive, which is not an encouraging sign. Western also turned the ball over on 25% of their possessions last year.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAlongside him on offence is \u003Cb\u003EQuinn Henderson\u003C\/b\u003E. He too used a lot of possessions for them and shot a better percentage at 47 per cent, but that mark is not something to structure an offence around.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EDefensively, this team was bad. They posted a D-Rtg of 106 and turned the ball over at an OUA-worst rate of 25 per cent of possesions. There is reason for optimism, though. \u003Cb\u003EGreg Morrow\u003C\/b\u003E is back for a third-year and he was the strongest defensive player for the Stangs last year. He also shot a great percentage from the field with a 58 per cent eFG%, so if you’re looking for a bright spot, here it is.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EEric McDonald\u003C\/b\u003E is a transfer from Guelph and could provide more offence for the squad. He had a strong preseason, including 18 points against Acadia.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBrad Campbell\u003C\/b\u003E has added some recruits but it’s yet to be seen how many minutes they will play. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWestern’s experience could pay off and they should prey on weaker OUA teams like Waterloo, Guelph, Toronto and Algoma. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer to Watch\u003C\/b\u003E: Greg Morrow. He shoots the best percentage (by far) on this team and can get his own shot. Will he be given the keys to the offence over Scholtes though?\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProjected Finish\u003C\/b\u003E: Fifth in the OUA West. Quarterfinal loss.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EGuelph Gryphons\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGuelph is just too young of a team to put in a category other than the basement. \u003Cb\u003EZach Angus\u003C\/b\u003E is one of my favourite players to watch in this league, but he can only do so much. Angus and \u003Cb\u003EMichel Clark\u003C\/b\u003E are two returning players who logged major minutes, but the rest of the returning cast are relative unknowns. 13 (!!!) players averaged double-digit minutes per game last year too, and they need to figure out their rotation.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETheir O-Rtg and D-Rtg were so bad last year, I contemplated not putting them in to save the horror. For offense, Guelph was tied for third worst in the league with 92 and for defense, they were second worst in the league, with 107. What’s scary is that \u003Cb\u003EDan McCarthy\u003C\/b\u003E — one of the team’s best defenders — is gone. \u003Cb\u003EAdam Kemp\u003C\/b\u003E is a six-foot-seven forward and has a year of experience under his belt. They will need him to anchor the defence.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOffensively, McCarthy’s departure means that the team will need to look elsewhere for offence. He used a lot of possessions for the team last year and the Gryphons will miss his production. For a player using as many possessions as McCarthy did, you would want his eFG% to be higher (it was 46 per cent) but Guelph needs whatever they can get.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThey have a fresh crop of rookies, with 12 first-year players listed on their 2013-14 roster. It’ll be a rough start for the season to them if head coach \u003Cb\u003EChris O’Rourke\u003C\/b\u003E spreads the minutes as much as he did last year.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EGuelph has committed themselves to the development of athletics, with a new indoor complex, brand-new football stadium and revamped soccer complex. They have some highly competitive teams in soccer, rugby, football, field hockey and cross country (to name a few). Basketball has been lacking though. Could this be the year where they start to turn that around? Probably not on paper, but through the development of their first-years, it could be the beginning.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer to Watch\u003C\/b\u003E: Zach Angus. He is a tough player with solid stroke and ability to get to the hoop. He’ll get more touches this year and it’ll be fun to see what he does with it.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProjected Finish\u003C\/b\u003E: Sixth in the OUA West. Quarterfinal loss.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ci\u003EBasement Dwellers\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EToronto Varsity Blues\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI’ve put Toronto here because of the conference they play in, but I’m optimistic about the future of this team.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor one, \u003Cb\u003EJohn Campbell\u003C\/b\u003E is the new coach. He is leaving Dalhousie, where he took two teams to the Final 8. He has implemented a new system, but said that it’s been \"challenging\" to introduce. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThen there is the new Goldring Centre for High Performance Sport opening in 2014. If you’ve seen the promotions for it, you know that Toronto has laid the foundation to host a CIS-best athletic department.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut for this year, they have \u003Cb\u003EAlex Hill\u003C\/b\u003E returning, \u003Cb\u003EMatt Savel\u003C\/b\u003E should hopefully be healthy and \u003Cb\u003EDakota Laurin\u003C\/b\u003E should get more shots since \u003Cb\u003EArun Kumar\u003C\/b\u003E has left. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ELast year, Kumar and Hill used a large proportion of the team’s possessions and neither was even close to efficient. Losing Kumar is a blessing for Campbell, as he stopped any and all ball movement. If he can rein Hill in a bit, Toronto will improve on offence.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe defence was an issue last year, but again that comes from Kumar. He is a short guard and let a lot of guys get by him. If your point guard can’t defend in the OUA, you’re going to have a bad time.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThese guys will be worth a watch to see what Campbell can do, but you won’t see these guys making much noise in a loaded OUA East.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProjected Finish\u003C\/b\u003E: Eighth in the OUA East. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EAlgoma Thunderbirds\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe newest OUA team could turn into a Lakehead-lite. Their coach, \u003Cb\u003EThomas Cory\u003C\/b\u003E, casts a wide net in recruiting — he grabbed recruits from British Columbia and Michigan — and he has been the team’s coach through their college competition. Throw in the travel factor, where teams are playing in Sudbury the night before and you’ve got a distinct advantage. The two schools even share the same weird \"Thunder\" prefix. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMcMaster’s \u003Cb\u003EJoe Rocca\u003C\/b\u003E said that the team is ultra-athletic and will look to just run teams out of the gym, a sentiment Mac coach \u003Cb\u003EAmos Connolly\u003C\/b\u003E echoed in a separate interview.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThey’ll be able to surprise some teams too, with teams having to do so much travelling to get there.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer to Watch\u003C\/b\u003E: \u003Cb\u003ETerrell Campbell\u003C\/b\u003E. Athletic player who can get up and down the court as fast as anyone. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProjected Finish\u003C\/b\u003E: Seventh in OUA East.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EBrock Badgers\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe new head coach in St. Catharines has already called this a rebuilding season, but Brock seems to finally be having a positive rebuild.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFor the past couple of seasons, the Badgers have fielded teams that struggle to mesh on the offensive end. Last year, they put up a brutal O-Rtg of 90. With \u003Cb\u003ECharles Kissi\u003C\/b\u003E in charge, the offence already looks better when I watched a preseason game against Niagara College. The ball moved a lot quicker and they were playing an inside-out style instead of the iso-ball of years past.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMike Luby\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EBrian Nahimana\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EJameson Tipping\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EMark Gibson\u003C\/b\u003E have all moved on from the program. Tipping had two years of eligbility remaining but left the program to play for the Brampton A’s — where Tipping’s older brother is the president and his father is the owner. Tipping used a lot of possessions for this team but was a treat to watch, as he could get to the hoop with ease, back you down in the post and hurt you from outside — evidenced by his 34 per cent mark from three. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETshing Kasamba\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EIssack Egueh\u003C\/b\u003E played the most minutes of returning players and are set to lead this squad. Alongside them is \u003Cb\u003EDani Egaldi\u003C\/b\u003E, a six-foot-seven rookie with long arms and scoring touch. He doesn’t have the size to handle older players on the defensive end but his quickness is a plus if Kissi wants to switch him on to a guard.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EYou don’t want to look too much into last year’s team stats because the roster will be comprised of a whole new crew. I’m looking forward to seeing where this team ends up in February because they could be really coming into their own. Egaldi is a player with OUA Rookie of the Year potential and Kissi is a coach who seems intent on changing the culture at Brock. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer to Watch\u003C\/b\u003E: Dani Egaldi. I can’t say enough about him. He looks like he could really give defence problems with his size and ball handling abilities. Needs to find a three point shot, though.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProjected Finish\u003C\/b\u003E: Eighth in OUA West\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Cu\u003EWaterloo Warriors\u003C\/u\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Warriors only lost two players — Brendan Smith and Kyrie Coleman — but having so many players return is exactly what I don’t like about this squad.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWaterloo was just as bad as Western was last year offensively and marginally better defensively. Their offence lacks any balance and their defence is susceptible to foul trouble, with abysmal fouling numbers for their major players. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI’ll highlight some positives for the team, though: it’s \u003Cb\u003EGreg Francis\u003C\/b\u003E’ second year with the program, and perhaps that will give the team a little more stability. \u003Cb\u003EJaspreet Gill\u003C\/b\u003E has potential to be a dynamic offensive weapon too. But I’m running low on positives.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ESimply, this roster lacks the talent to compete. In losing Smith, they lost their best rebounder, a loss that is already showing signs of problems as they nearly got doubled in rebounds in their season opener. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ETo get back to the playoffs, players need to have worked hard at becoming better defenders and cleaning the defensive glass. Otherwise, this team is going to be lucky to reach the quarterfinals again.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPlayer to Watch\u003C\/b\u003E: Jaspreet Gill. He could be asked to take even more shots than he did last year, and that could lead to some eye popping stat totals.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EProjected Finish\u003C\/b\u003E: Seventh in the OUA West.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/8020016309213055041\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/11\/the-tiers-of-oua-mens-basketball-season.html#comment-form","title":"6 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8020016309213055041"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8020016309213055041"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/11\/the-tiers-of-oua-mens-basketball-season.html","title":"The Tiers of the OUA: A Men's Basketball Season Preview"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Scott Hastie"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/08081415078301065374"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"6"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-290932968206975192"},"published":{"$t":"2013-11-02T20:36:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-11-02T21:25:01.175-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Axemen"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bisons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gaiters"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mounties"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"U of S Huskies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"UBC Thunderbirds"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Vert et Or"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Quick recaps of the seven semifinals"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003ETo review this weekend's seven playoff games, we'll look at them in order of how much the outcome differed from our point spreads, from most expected to least expected.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/championships\/fball\/2013\/postseason-boxscores\/20131102_d0u1.xml\"\u003EUBC 28 at Calgary 42\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPredicted spread\u003C\/b\u003E: Calgary by 15.5\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOff by\u003C\/b\u003E: 1.5 points\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI respect what friend of the blog \u003Cb\u003EJim Mullin\u003C\/b\u003E said near the end of this game, about how UBC represented their school today after \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.theprovince.com\/sports\/university\/Gallagher+getting+ready+slash+varsity+football+hockey\/9049366\/story.html\"\u003Erumours leaked out surrounding the football team and the school's athletic review\u003C\/a\u003E (though, those are hardly rumours). And yes they did take a 17-0 lead after beating up on Alberta previously. But in the end they lost this one by 14. Though the T-Birds can take some solace in the fact that, while \u003Cb\u003EMercer Timmis\u003C\/b\u003E had another Mercer Timmis game (32 carries, 164 yards, two TDs), he wasn't the leading rusher in the game, either by total yards or yards-per-carry \u0026mdash; that honour going to \u003Cb\u003EBrandon Deschamps\u003C\/b\u003E (184 on 22, 1 TD).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/championships\/fball\/2013\/postseason-boxscores\/20131101_s059.xml\"\u003ESaskatchewan 36 at Manitoba 37\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPredicted spread\u003C\/b\u003E: Manitoba by 3.5\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOff by\u003C\/b\u003E: 2.5 points\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt'll be an offseason of replaying this game in their minds for the Huskies, now losers of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.huskies.usask.ca\/news\/2013\/November\/2013-11-01-fb\/index.php\"\u003Eeight of their last ten playoff games\u003C\/a\u003E after \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.thestarphoenix.com\/sports\/amateur\/university\/Huskies+season+ends+last+second\/9116453\/story.html\"\u003Ea crazy, fantastic night in Winnipeg\u003C\/a\u003E \u0026mdash; and another one-point playoff loss on a missed field goal at the end. Like the people who point to close elections and say, \"See, each vote \u003Ci\u003Edoes\u003C\/i\u003E matter!\", I find it tempting to say that every point does, too, but that's fairly self-evident after a game like this.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHalf the points came in the fourth quarter; Saskatchewan had a five-point lead after three and kept the Bisons off the board for nearly a 20-minute period. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/championships\/fball\/2014\/postseason-boxscores\/20131102_sps4.xml\"\u003ESherbrooke 11 at Laval 32\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPredicted spread\u003C\/b\u003E: Laval by 18\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOff by\u003C\/b\u003E: 3 points\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe latest in a long line of Laval games where they dominate the second half. \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.rougeetor.ulaval.ca\/les_clubs\/nouvelle\/article\/\/p-classsurtitredemi-finale-rseq-de-football-universitairepp-classtitrele-rouge-et-or-en\/\"\u003E11th Dunsmore in a row\u003C\/a\u003E for the Rouge et Or and of course they've won all of the last 10 \u0026mdash; by three touchdowns on average, no less.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/championships\/fball\/2013\/postseason-boxscores\/20131102_aoh9.xml\"\u003EGuelph 17 at Queen's 34\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPredicted spread\u003C\/b\u003E: Queen's by 13\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOff by\u003C\/b\u003E: 4 points\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003ENo surprises here (\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2012\/11\/football-twice-in-lifetime-guelph-comes.html\"\u003Ethis time\u003C\/a\u003E...). Guelph ends the year 2-2 against OUA playoff teams, but with a 2-point win and a 1-point win followed by last week's 14-point loss and this 13-point one, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ca.sports.yahoo.com\/blogs\/eh-game\/queen-golden-gaels-mistake-free-billy-mcphee-shake-002832996.html\"\u003Ewhich they lost to Queen's and \"mistake-free \u003Cb\u003EBilly McPhee\u003C\/b\u003E\"\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/championships\/fball\/2013\/postseason-boxscores\/20131102_f0wv.xml\"\u003EMcMaster 3 at Western 32\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPredicted spread\u003C\/b\u003E: Western by 22\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOff by\u003C\/b\u003E: 7 points\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'd have to check the numbers on this, but I think this was the first Western game this year where they didn't score 50 points in the fourth quarter. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAside from that this game was a foregone conclusion; I think we all knew the Mustangs were going to win the 1 vs. 4 game by 20+ points before they were halfway towards clinching the No. 1 seed. Mac's hearts of champions or inspired chemistry or whatever helped them win more games in the second half of the year \u0026mdash; the relatively weaker schedule? I think it was the relatively weaker schedule \u0026mdash; can only go so far against the best non-Laval team in the country.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/championships\/fball\/2013\/postseason-boxscores\/20131102_lxau.xml\"\u003EAcadia 10 at Mount Allison 19\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPredicted spread\u003C\/b\u003E: Acadia by 7\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOff by\u003C\/b\u003E: 16 points\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis one didn't finish as we thought. The Mounties gave up almost 100 more points during the season than Acadia did, and they weren't the ones who played Laval, so you'd think the Axemen could overcome the home advantage, even one enjoyed by a team that plays on a field some high school programs wouldn't touch. But the turnovers went 4 to 1 in Mount A's favour, in fact scoring their only touchdown on a pick-six with three and a half minutes left in the game. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/championships\/fball\/2014\/postseason-boxscores\/20131102_061c.xml\"\u003EMontreal 51 at Bishop's 8\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPredicted spread\u003C\/b\u003E: Montreal by 7\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOff by\u003C\/b\u003E: 36 points\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe same logic that made Montreal road favourites also made Acadia road favourites. Neither game actually ended up close to the 7-point spread, but for very different reasons. While this was more lopsided than most probably expected, I still do feel a little better now about never putting Bishop's on my ballot this year. In any event, it seems the Gaiters \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sportsnet.ca\/cis\/cis-week-9-rankings-let-the-playoffs-begin\/\"\u003Ewon't have a chance to beat Laval\u003C\/a\u003E after all.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/290932968206975192\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/11\/football-quick-recaps-of-seven.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/290932968206975192"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/290932968206975192"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/11\/football-quick-recaps-of-seven.html","title":"Football: Quick recaps of the seven semifinals"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Rob Pettapiece"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-8787132711862365500"},"published":{"$t":"2013-10-31T00:02:00.001-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-10-31T00:02:11.176-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bisons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gaiters"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"U of S Huskies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Final Top 10 of 2013"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Returning after a brief hiatus for minor, almost imperceptible re-tooling, here are our ballots for this week (in order \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/sports\/fball\/2013-14\/releases\/top10-10\"\u003Eafter the official listing\u003C\/a\u003E: Neate Sager, myself, Andrew Bucholtz):\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 1st, 1st, 2nd. Will Western win by more over Mac, or Laval by more over Sherbrooke? The two spreads are within a safety for those games. And is a Western-Laval Vanier any different than a Red Sox-Cardinals World Series?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 2nd, 2nd, 1st. That was their fourth three-touchdown win over Montreal in as many years, if you were wondering about part of the reason why we sometimes call it \"the Laval conference.\"\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 5th, 4th, 3rd. Quirks in scheduling mean UBC has to fly right back for another game, maybe even another one with more rouges than touchdowns for them.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQueen's\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 3rd, 3rd, 4th. Hosting Guelph, and it may not be a close one.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 7th, 7th, 5th. Having settled the Windsor-Guelph debate (ok, that was never actually a debate) it's now time for Guelph to step up for the Guelph-Queen's debate.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBishop's\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 8th, unranked, 6th. One of two teams hosting a playoff game this weekend who are the underdogs by my figuring (the other is Mount A, in the conference we don't talk about). This is the only team any of us did not rank this week; my other spot went to UBC, 9th. I don't have much justification for that.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontreal\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 4th, 6th, 7th. Have surrendered half as many points on the year as the Gaiters; you gotta think that matters.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 6th, 5th, 9th. Sadly, Mac won't make it to London for their game, as their season was declared over almost two months ago and the team had to disband amidst the intense media hand-wringing.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EManitoba\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 9th, 8th, 8th. Back to some agreement among us. No shame in being fourth in points scored in the country, behind just Western, Queen's, and Calgary.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaskatchewan\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 10th, 10th, 10th. That makes three playoff games with adjacent seedings, one per conference, and this one (at -3.5 for Manitoba) figures to be the closest of them all.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/8787132711862365500\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/10\/football-final-top-10-of-2013.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8787132711862365500"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8787132711862365500"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/10\/football-final-top-10-of-2013.html","title":"Football: Final Top 10 of 2013"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Rob Pettapiece"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-1638815528510003726"},"published":{"$t":"2013-10-19T12:55:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-10-19T12:55:21.718-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gee-Gees"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lancers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"OUA Football Recap"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"statistics"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Varsity Blues"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: OUA playoff scenarios, odds, and possibilities"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Most of the playoff teams have been determined in the OUA; only a small battle remains between Windsor and Toronto, but that is heavily tilted the Lancers' way. We also know who the top three teams will be: Western, Queen's\/Guelph winner, Queen's\/Guelph loser. That game alone can affect the playoff race considerably but it's not the only one with potential implications.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe fourth through sixth spots are still undetermined, and could be any of three or four teams. Toronto, should they qualify for the playoffs, will be 5th, which means the other three \u0026mdash; McMaster, Ottawa, Windsor; all tied at 4-3 right now \u0026mdash; have a home game on the line today.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere can't be a three-way tie with these teams, and the Marauders hold the tiebreakers over both, assuming nothing out of the ordinary happens. (They can sew up a point-differential tiebreaker over Windsor by beating Carleton by about 25 points, which should be simple enough to achieve.) So that home game is Mac's to lose.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EJust in time for the games today, here are the odds for all four teams and each playoff position:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Ctable border=1\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003ETeam\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003E4th\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003E5th\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003E6th\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOut\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EMAC\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E73%\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E23%\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E4%\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E---\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EOTT\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E17%\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E45%\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E38%\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E---\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003EWSR\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E10%\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E27%\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E58%\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E5%\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003Ctr\u003E\u003Ctd\u003ETOR\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E---\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E5%\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E---\u003C\/td\u003E\u003Ctd\u003E95%\u003C\/td\u003E\u003C\/tr\u003E\u003C\/table\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/1638815528510003726\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/10\/footballoua-playoff-scenarios-odds-and.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/1638815528510003726"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/1638815528510003726"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/10\/footballoua-playoff-scenarios-odds-and.html","title":"Football: OUA playoff scenarios, odds, and possibilities"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Rob Pettapiece"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-3548557535788208661"},"published":{"$t":"2013-10-09T10:00:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-10-30T23:55:38.737-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gaiters"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lancers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"U of S Huskies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Our latest Top 10 ballots"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"This week's ballots from our staff (in order \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/sports\/fball\/2013-14\/releases\/top10-7\"\u003Eafter the official listing\u003C\/a\u003E: Neate Sager, myself, Kevin Garbuio):\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 1st, 1st, 2nd. They have clinched first place in Ontario [correction: assuming they beat York] no matter what you may read elsewhere about point differential coming into play with Guelph (by OUA rules, that is impossible). About to enjoy the coveted \"bye week, York, bye week\" portion of the schedule. There have been tougher times to be a Mustang, that's for sure...\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 2nd, 2nd, 1st. About a 2 to 1 split among voters who prefer Western to Laval up top. Hung a Waterloo score on Concordia. Kevin may prove to be the smarter one in the end here, and unless I'm mistaken he is the only one of the three of us who has personally lost to Laval.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 4th, 3rd, 4th. Considered moving them down after \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/10\/football-dinos-dont-dominate-but-win.html\"\u003Ethis week\u003C\/a\u003E but couldn't find another team I liked better at 3.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 3rd, 6th, 3rd. Very difficult for me to assess where to put McMaster vs. Guelph. (Many reading this would say \"Guelph's 6-0, don't overthink it\" but that is \u003Ci\u003Eunder\u003C\/i\u003Ethinking it.) Thanks to scheduling quirks they will probably have only one common opponent who makes the playoffs. Last week I had Guelph 6th and McMaster 10th but after reviewing the evidence at hand I'm pushing them closer together. Still not sure I want to put the Gryphs above, say, Queen's or Calgary.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQueen's\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 6th, 4th, 5th. The all-important \"playing for a bye week\" game comes up one week after they roll out of bed 15 minutes before kickoff and beat Waterloo 54-12.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontreal\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 5th, 5th, 8th. Maybe KG moved west to avoid the wrath of \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.allezlesbleus.ca\/\"\u003Eour blue-clad friends\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaskatchewan\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 8th, 10th, 7th. I can report that actually watching an entire game of theirs didn't help figure out where to rank them.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBishop's\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 7th, unranked, 6th. Have been outscored on the season, by nine points, though that will change after five minutes this week.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 9th, 7th, unranked. If only Neate and I could play as Bishop's and Mac on \u003Ci\u003EMadden\u003C\/i\u003E and solve this. It's the only way these teams can play each other. However, that would require both of us to have a \u003Ci\u003EMadden\u003C\/i\u003E game more recent than Tommy Maddox's career.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWindsor\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 10th, 9th, 9th. They've been on my ballot for the last five weeks in a row so this is either vindication or a coincidence.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EFun fact: the entire AUS received 0.4% [edit: not 2%] of the voting points available this week, all for SMU.\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/3548557535788208661\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/10\/football-our-latest-top-10-ballots.html#comment-form","title":"4 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/3548557535788208661"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/3548557535788208661"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/10\/football-our-latest-top-10-ballots.html","title":"Football: Our latest Top 10 ballots"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Rob Pettapiece"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"4"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-8294555752447716033"},"published":{"$t":"2013-10-03T00:13:00.001-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-10-03T00:17:42.521-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bisons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gaiters"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"U of S Huskies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: First Top 10 of October"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"This week's ballots from our staff (in order \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/sports\/fball\/2013-14\/releases\/top10-6\"\u003Eafter the official listing\u003C\/a\u003E: Neate Sager, myself, Kevin Garbuio, Jared Book, Andrew Bucholtz):\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 1st, 1st, 1st, 1st, 2nd. It was their closest win of the season ... but they still beat a top-5 team by three scores.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd, 1st. Second place overall for the first time all year. The last time Laval gave up as many as 38 points in a regular-season game \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.sportetudiant-stats.com\/universitaire\/football\/stats\/2003\/conoct04.htm\"\u003Ewas almost exactly ten years ago\u003C\/a\u003E, though they did beat Concordia 59-7 a month after that. Also lost to McMaster 41-38 recently in a game you may remember.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 3rd, 4th, 4th, 4th, 3rd. Good position to be in this week, with a road game vs. the second-place team with 12 points to give, then a pair of home games vs. below-.500 teams.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 5th, 6th, 3rd, 5th, 5th. Two of the five of us put them ahead of Queen's. They miss Western this year, so that helps inflate the record somewhat.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQueen's\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 4th, 3rd, 5th, 3rd, 6th. By our standards, this is disagreement. Personally I didn't think that much less of Queen's after losing to Western.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaskatchewan\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 7th, unranked, 8th, 8th, 4th. See earlier comment about how I never know where to put this team. Their only loss is on the road at Calgary, but three of their wins are by just a combined 14 points.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontreal\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 6th, 5th, 6th, 6th, 7th. No points in the second half vs. Sherbrooke and just a TD, rouge, and safety in the first half? I'm not sure why I have them 5th.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBishop's\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 8th, unranked, 7th, 9th, 8th. As noted, only the third team (if my research is complete) who have put 38 on Laval; the other two went on to win the Vanier and lose the Dunsmore. You'd have to think the Gaiters would take even the latter result at the beginning of this year. A note of concern: with Concordia and McGill comprising half their schedule this year, and squeaking out two Sherbrooke wins, they are basically 6-0 in those games alone, when most teams on this list would be no worse than 5-1.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; I was the only one to rank them, at 10th. I had Windsor higher, though, which leads me to note that, just as there is no such thing as \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/hardballtalk.nbcsports.com\/2013\/09\/30\/blown-call-looms-large-in-seventh-inning-of-game-163\/\"\u003Ea bad call that goes against the Tampa Bay (Devil) Rays\u003C\/a\u003E, there is no such thing as \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ca.sports.yahoo.com\/blogs\/eh-game\/laurier-golden-hawks-were-hosed-winning-touchdown-homecoming-215704648.html\"\u003Ea bad call that goes against Laurier\u003C\/a\u003E (he said, looking for some reason to justify spending five years at Waterloo).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EManitoba\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; Only Andrew ranked them, and he put them 9th. \u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/8294555752447716033\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/10\/football-first-top-10-of-october.html#comment-form","title":"2 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8294555752447716033"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8294555752447716033"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/10\/football-first-top-10-of-october.html","title":"Football: First Top 10 of October"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Rob Pettapiece"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"2"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-6971576683238384834"},"published":{"$t":"2013-09-24T15:57:00.002-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-09-24T15:58:29.031-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bisons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gaiters"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"U of S Huskies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Top 10 for Sept. 24"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"This week's ballots from our staff (in order \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/sports\/fball\/2013-14\/releases\/top10-5\"\u003Eafter the official listing\u003C\/a\u003E: Neate Sager, myself, Kevin Garbuio, Jared Book, Andrew Bucholtz):\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 1st, 2nd, 1st, 1st, 1st. Overall they had 21 of 30 first-place votes, the others going to Western. Jared says, \"I had Western #1 last week but felt Laval's win over Montreal was enough to separate them from the pack. I'm not penalizing Montreal much (I had them ahead of Laval last week) for losing to a top team.\"\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 2nd, 1st, 2nd, 2nd, 2nd. It gives me no pleasure to put them No. 1, I assure you.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQueen's\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 4th, 3rd, 4th, 4th, 3rd. Big game coming this weekend, obviously, but that one has the potential to be like a 20-point blowout.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontreal\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 3rd, 4th, 4th, 4th, 5th. Andrew Buch-ing the trend is more like it.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 5th, 5th, 6th, 5th, 4th. The separation between teams is getting more and more clear as the season goes on, as usually happens. Nobody out west has defeated the Dinos this year and with Alberta up next that's not about to change.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 6th, 6th, 5th, 6th, 7th. You can tell a lot about a CIS football follower by how close they think Mac and Guelph are in quality, and how certain that person appears to be about that belief.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaskatchewan\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 7th, 8th, 7th, 7th, 6th. I never know where to put them.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBishop's\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 8th, unranked, 9th, 8th, 8th. I said to Neate while kibbitzing over our ballots that the Gaiters have out-Guelphed Guelph this year, with two 1-point wins. The average voter who isn't me put them around 8th\/9th.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; unranked, 9th, 8th, unranked, unranked. Are still the owners of the toughest schedule so far in CIS football, definitely higher than Guelph (12th) and Queen's (16th) and Western (26th). This does not mean they are better (or even as good) as those teams, but it cannot be ignored either, no matter if they have three losses.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EManitoba\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; unranked, unranked, unranked, unranked, 10th. Our No. 10 teams were (in the same order) Windsor, Acadia, Windsor, and McGill. I actually had Windsor 7th, since I am playing the long game apparently. The five of us, one-eighth of the voters, accounted for 40% of Windsor's support and 100% of McGill's.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/6971576683238384834\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/09\/football-top-10-for-sept-24.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6971576683238384834"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6971576683238384834"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/09\/football-top-10-for-sept-24.html","title":"Football: Top 10 for Sept. 24"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Rob Pettapiece"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-2794948791464666901"},"published":{"$t":"2013-09-17T22:20:00.001-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-09-17T22:24:57.680-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bisons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gaiters"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"U of S Huskies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Top 10 ballots for Sept. 17"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"This week's ballots from our staff (in order \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/sports\/fball\/2013-14\/releases\/top10-4\"\u003Eafter the official listing\u003C\/a\u003E: Neate Sager, myself, Andrew Bucholtz):\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; You know them. The schedulers did us all a favour with Mac-Guelph on Saturday afternoon but Laval-Montreal on Sunday instead.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 2nd, 2nd, 2nd. You know them, too.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQueen's\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 3rd, 3rd, 3rd. The CIS Blog cabal (there is no cabal) will brook no dissent among its UFRC voters.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontreal\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 4th, 4th, 5th. Case in point. This is obviously unacceptable. Pure Western bias from Bucholtz, who after all \u003Ci\u003Eshares a first name\u003C\/i\u003E with the Calgary QB. (What else do they share? We don't know. He won't say.)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 5th, 6th, 4th. Really, though, it's impossible to know where the Dinos stand vs. eastern teams this year. They are the best in their conference, but one does not need a vote to divine this.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 6th, 5th, 6th. Already have two wins by more than a touchdown in three games, after just 3 of 10 last year.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaskatchewan\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 7th, 7th, 7th. We're out of the top six and have yet to see one of us go more than one spot off the voters' consensus. This often happens in these sorts of votes \u0026mdash; the reason being, honestly, that nobody really knows what's going on.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EManitoba\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 10th, 10th, 8th. It's not quite right to call their game at Calgary this weekend a must-win. Even if they win it, they'd have to match the Dinos W for W the rest of the way to avoid going back there in the playoffs. They have to beat Calgary in November, not September.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 8th, 8th, unranked. Fun fact, by which I mean not all that fun and barely a fact: Mac's SRS after four games is +10.7, Guelph's +10.9. That doesn't mean UG homecoming will necessarily be that close but it would definitely make up for the nationally-televised pounding Mac absorbed from the powerful purple ponies at the juiced Joyce joint. (Sorry, I slipped into my Frid St. accent for a bit there.)\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBishop's\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; unranked, unranked, 10th. Bucholtz ... \u003Ci\u003Ebuch\u003C\/i\u003E ... book ... brook ... Sherbrooke. You can't make this stuff up. Andrew probably donated to pro-municipal amalgamation causes, too.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/2794948791464666901\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/09\/football-top-10-ballots-for-sept-17.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/2794948791464666901"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/2794948791464666901"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/09\/football-top-10-ballots-for-sept-17.html","title":"Football: Top 10 ballots for Sept. 17"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Rob Pettapiece"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-8569845515026489845"},"published":{"$t":"2013-09-10T17:05:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-09-10T17:05:31.560-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bisons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"SMU Huskies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"U of S Huskies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Top 10 for Sept. 10"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Here are our ballots (in order after the official listing: Neate Sager, myself, Kevin Garbuio):\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; Take a guess.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQueen’s\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 3rd, 3rd, 4th. This set of votes along with the next one are minimally amusing...\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 2nd, 2nd, 2nd. We seem to like the Mustangs more. Are we overreacting to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/09\/football-no-mercy-for-mac-in-westerns.html\"\u003Eone game\u003C\/a\u003E?\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontreal\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 4th, 4th, 3rd. Beat a top 10 team! Well, sort of.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 5th, 6th, 6th. A consensus of sorts begins to emerge among our staff. Actually have a lower point differential than Manitoba, for what that's worth.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaskatchewan\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 6th, 7th, 5th. Quite close to losing that game Saturday but \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/09\/football-huskies-bisons-display-top-10.html\"\u003Estill a talented team as Kevin observed\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 7th, 5th, 7th. Probably would have moved up if they had played (and won) this past week, in the middle of the slight OUA shakeup.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EManitoba\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 8th, 9th, 9th. Are we going to get any dissension here? Come on, fellow voters!\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 9th, 8th, 9th. \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/09\/football-our-top-10-ballots-for-sep-3-9.html\"\u003EIs Jared's middle name \"Prescient\"?\u003C\/a\u003E They're one spot ahead of an AUS team now. \"Remember Dad, all glory is fleeting.\"\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaint Mary's\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; unranked by all of us. I put Windsor 10th as a pure hunch.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/8569845515026489845\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/09\/football-top-10-for-sept-10.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8569845515026489845"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/8569845515026489845"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/09\/football-top-10-for-sept-10.html","title":"Football: Top 10 for Sept. 10"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Rob Pettapiece"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-3675238933989038039"},"published":{"$t":"2013-09-04T18:00:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-09-10T13:15:45.951-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bisons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gaiters"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"U of S Huskies"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: Our Top 10 ballots for Sep. 3-9"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"A \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/08\/football-first-top-10-of-2013.html?showComment=1378011520661#c354613523556565471\"\u003Ecomment on last week's post\u003C\/a\u003E said that the Top 10 doesn't really matter, as \"Laval will go 9-0 and win their four playoff games to win the Vanier Cup.\" \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EI'm happy to report that this is not true: the Quebec schedule is only eight games this year. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E...okay, yes, that's still right.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHere are our ballots (in order after the official listing: Neate Sager, myself, Kevin Garbuio, Jared Book). \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/sports\/fball\/2013-14\/releases\/top10-2\"\u003EYour official Top 10 is here\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; Pass.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQueen’s\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 2nd by all of us except Jared who had them 3rd. I knew I had them too low before they beat McMaster, and while they looked good in that game, they also kind of had no business winning it and I didn't move Mac down a lot as a result (nor did I move Queen's up because of it).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontreal\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 4th, 5th, 3rd, 2nd. Got some credit for beating up on Concordia. I kept them at 5 under the assumption that they should be doing that to Concordia.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 5th, 6th, 5th, 5th. Other times I would suggest that the Western-friendly (or Western-alumni) contingent of voters had their hand in this, with the Mustangs very close to being in third, but this is a good team. Can we please ensure their game on Saturday doesn't take 3 and a half hours? No? Fine.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 6th, 4th, 4th, 4th. Closer than they probably would have liked against UBC. We're fairly sure they're the best in the West but not really up to national standards.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 3rd, 3rd, 7th, unranked. \u003Ca href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/jaredbook\/status\/375267710810083330\"\u003EJared forgot Mac on his ballot this week\u003C\/a\u003E and reports he is suitably embarrassed by that. It wouldn't have changed the outcome of the top 10 list anyway. The only way this No. 6 ranking will look silly at the end is if they win the OUA, or come close in the Yates Cup and the OUA champ is competitive or better in the bowl games.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 8th, 7th, 6th, unranked. Kevin put Guelph above Mac, warning us not to sleep on the Gryphs.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaskatchewan\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 7th, 9th, 8th, 9th. Back to a near-consensus opinion. The Huskies moved up a spot from last week in the overall rankings, though I dropped them four spots mostly because they got shuffled down, not because of anything they did themselves.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EManitoba\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 10th, 8th, 10th, 6th. Scoring 65 is impressive. Allowing 41 (to Alberta) is not.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EBishop's\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 9th, unranked, unranked, 8th. Wouldn't be on here if Sherbrooke got another two points. Ah, the instability of the 10 spot.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/3675238933989038039\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/09\/football-our-top-10-ballots-for-sep-3-9.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/3675238933989038039"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/3675238933989038039"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/09\/football-our-top-10-ballots-for-sep-3-9.html","title":"Football: Our Top 10 ballots for Sep. 3-9"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Rob Pettapiece"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-5297705384015576396"},"published":{"$t":"2013-08-27T16:59:00.001-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-08-27T17:53:09.267-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Bisons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Carabins"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Dinos"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Rouge et Or"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Top 10"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"U of S Huskies"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Vert et Or"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: First Top 10 of 2013"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"Otherwise known as \"Differing Opinions on OUA Teams.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThere's only so much we can do with these votes. Three years ago, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2010\/05\/football-did-fans-vote-differently.html\"\u003EI found that two separate lists of CIS football top 10 votes were largely the same\u003C\/a\u003E, moving teams up when they win and down more quickly when they lose. It's not easy to be informed about teams from across the country, to say the least (and to say something unoriginal, for that matter).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs well, it's the first week, and basically by definition it's too early to tell who's who. In the first vote of 2010, the Mustangs were 8th, Rouge et Or 2nd, and Dinos 1st \u0026mdash; a few months later, that supposed No. 1 team would get blown out in the Vanier by the No. 2 team, and the No. 8 team would play Laval close in a bowl game. Saskatchewan opened at No. 3 that year and bowed out of the postseason after a conference semifinal. In the beginning in 2011, No. 3 McMaster lost to No. 2 Western and stayed below them for 8 of the 10 weeks, despite eventually winning it all, dispatching the Mustangs along the way without much effort. In fact, in each of the last three years, the No. 1 preseason team didn't win the Vanier Cup (though they did play in it, each time), a factoid that says nothing about Laval's chances this year but everything about reading too much into early-season polls.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHaving said all that, it does get us talking about the game, which is enough of a reason. Here, then, are the ballots from our staff (myself, Andrew Bucholtz, Neate Sager, Kevin Garbuio), compared to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/sports\/fball\/2013-14\/releases\/top10-1\"\u003Ethe official release\u003C\/a\u003E:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Col\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELaval\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; Ranked 1st by all of us. Least surprising ranking in the history of ranking things.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQueen’s\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 3rd by Neate, 2nd by Andrew, and 5th and 6th by those of us who didn't go to that school. Kidding, of course. Actually the average difference between Queen's (141 points in the vote) and No. 6 McMaster (122) is just one spot per voter, showing how they, and all the teams in between, are mixed together in a mess of August uncertainty. This is a pretty good team and I fully expect that 6th is the lowest I'll ever have them this year.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECalgary\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 5th on Neate's ballot, 3rd on mine and Andrew's, unranked by Kevin. I will admit to a \"oh, come on\" response to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.godinos.com\/news\/2013\/8\/24\/FB_0824134105.aspx?path=football\"\u003Ethe 32-3 exhibition loss to Laval\u003C\/a\u003E, mostly because it allowed me to make facile comparisons to that awful 2010 Vanier, possibly the worst football game I've watched all the way through. But I didn't use it to push the Dinos down (not that my No. 3 ranking is inherently correct; see earlier comment about reading too much into these). Also our first case of someone ranking a team outside the Top 6 (the fictional existence of which satisfies long-held personal belief that there should not be a Top 10 in a league this size).\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWestern\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; Ranked 8th by Neate and 7th by Kevin, then 4th by the rest. Beat Toronto by 36, which was only the third-most lopsided OUA score of the opening weekend.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMontreal\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 4th on Neate's ballot, 6th on Andrew's and Kevin's, 5th on mine. Not much to say here. They'll get moved up if they're undefeated in non-Laval games, and certainly will be if they actually beat them.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMaster\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 2nd by Neate, 7th by Andrew, 8th by Kevin, 2nd by me. Either Neate and I are both right, and this team will succeed regardless of the players they graduated, or we're both wrong (in which case we are at least not alone), or it means absolutely nothing and you stopped reading five sentences ago.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGuelph\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 6th, 9th, 2nd, 8th. With the exception of Kevin's No. 2 ranking, here's a clear illustration of our consensus opinion on the top 5\/6 teams in the country. Their win over Laurier, by 14 points, is technically the closest result in all of CIS football this year, and observations like those are definitely why you stopped reading now.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESherbrooke\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 9th, 10th, 4th, 7th. They got some love last year after beating Montreal in the playoffs (following an 0-2 season series in which they were outscored 53-20). 8th seems about right for now.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003ESaskatchewan\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; 7th, 5th, 3rd, unranked. A popular approach with the Atlanta Braves in the 1990s was to assume that they will win their division every year until they don't. The opposite version of that rule of thumb has no relevance whatsoever to the Huskies, not at all.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cb\u003EManitoba\u003C\/b\u003E \u0026mdash; unranked, 8th, unranked, unranked. What does it mean to be No. 10 in the first ranking of a CIS football season? It means three of four semi-randomly-chosen voters don't think you're a top 10 team.\u003C\/li\u003E\u003C\/ol\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/5297705384015576396\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/08\/football-first-top-10-of-2013.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5297705384015576396"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/5297705384015576396"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/08\/football-first-top-10-of-2013.html","title":"Football: First Top 10 of 2013"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Rob Pettapiece"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-6779922688049154853"},"published":{"$t":"2013-08-25T07:00:00.000-04:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2013-08-30T21:58:20.690-04:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"CIS Countdown 2013"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gee-Gees"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Gaels"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Golden Hawks"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lancers"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Lions"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Mustangs"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"OUA Football Recap"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"previews"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Ravens"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Varsity Blues"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Warriors"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Yates Cup"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: 2013 OUA preview"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"\u003Ci\u003EFraser Caldwell, Perry King, and Neate Sager answer some burning questions about the Ontario teams ahead of Sunday's openers. \u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Ci\u003EDisclosure: Fraser is employed by McMaster's athletics department as a communications assistant.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGENERAL\u003C\/b\u003E: \u003Ci\u003EDoes the 8-games-in-9-weeks schedule make much of a difference vs. 8-in-8? In 2010, when teams also opened early, attendance was not significantly lower in those home openers, for whatever that's worth. And will the clear distinction from last year remain, with four good teams at the top?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPK\u003C\/b\u003E: For the time being, I don't see this making a big difference but the potential of a rested team making a game of it with a powerhouse club this season is likely, and probably better for 1) morale on lower echelon clubs and 2) for competitive balance in the OUA. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIf a \"middle\" team, like a Toronto or a Guelph, can have some rest before taking on a (beatable) powerhouse, then we could have a chance for parity. If the added rest just gives the powerhouse clubs more ammo to load up, then so be it. Honestly, parity can only build interest, and ample rest goes a long way for a conference known to be more lighter in the belt, so to speak. The distinction between upper and lower echelon clubs should be distinct, but making efforts to support parity is a long term project, like it would be in the CFL or NFL.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENS\u003C\/b\u003E: Whether 2012 was an anomaly or watershed for competitive balance will be determined by how it plays out this fall; how is that for a nice fence-straddling opening statement? York and U of T \u0026mdash; which, you decide what it's worth, \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.varsityblues.ca\/news\/2013\/8\/18\/FB_0818134255.aspx?path=football\"\u003Etied Concordia in exhibition last Sunday\u003C\/a\u003E \u0026mdash; are proving they can compete with mid-pack teams. Laurier and Ottawa definitely trended downward over 2011 and '12, but with new head coaches in place, there's some shot of renewal; new Gee-Gees coach \u003Cb\u003EJamie Barresi\u003C\/b\u003E has been described to me as an \"evil genius.\"\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EOverall, seeing each team post at least two wins last fall was a welcome sight. It is shaping up as a year where there is going to be some parity.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFC\u003C\/b\u003E: I don't foresee the new wrinkle in the schedule having any tangible effect on the product on the field. Where I do see a potential difference is in the marketing of games and the attendance\/viewership numbers. It's right to point out that an earlier start did nothing to dampen opening week receptions a few seasons ago. But I can't help but think that the hype machines in the OUA will lose some of their edge when teams are two games deep before students have attended a single class. Diehards will make their way to the stadium, but it's the casual student who has yet to even consider school or their varsity teams as they try to suck the last vestiges of free time from their summer.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Cy3i0gB0UrQ\/Uhld7kWkdqI\/AAAAAAAABM0\/l8MFFiLVC5s\/s1600\/marauders.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Cy3i0gB0UrQ\/Uhld7kWkdqI\/AAAAAAAABM0\/l8MFFiLVC5s\/s200\/marauders.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EMcMASTER\u003C\/b\u003E (last year in OUA: 10-0, +26.0 SRS) \u0026mdash; \u003Ci\u003EOnly one non-Laval loss in two years is impressive. Do they take a step back without \u003Cb\u003EKyle Quinlan\u003C\/b\u003E (or other key players)? \u003Cb\u003EMarshall Ferguson\u003C\/b\u003E's numbers were usually impressive as well, so they may have a good system in place, or they may simply have had two very talented QBs in recent years.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENS\u003C\/b\u003E: McMaster is still McMaster and they have experienced new starters to plug in, including Ferguson replacing Quinlan as QB1, but keep in mind the depth players on a championship team always benefit from a 'halo effect.' They're still loaded, though, let's not kid ourselves.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFC\u003C\/b\u003E: This is not the seemingly invincible team of 2012. But the Marauders will be more competitive in 2013 than many realize (again, I work for them, so take that with as much salt as you wish). The list of graduands is long, and filled with many an all-star. Gone is Quinlan, quarterback and talisman, and with him two of McMaster's best receivers and four of their starting five offensive linemen. Also remove three starters from the defensive line, including CIS single-season sack leader \u003Cb\u003EBen D'Aguilar\u003C\/b\u003E. Oh, and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2012\/11\/the-anatomy-of-mcmasters-yates-cup.html\"\u003EYates Cup MVP \u003Cb\u003EShane Beaton\u003C\/b\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut the Marauders have built a great deal of depth in the past few years, and will be putting it to use in 2013. Ferguson will not be the athletic, defender-leaping threat that Quinlan was, but brings a cerebral approach and a sure set of hands to the McMaster offence, already \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2012\/09\/calculated-reactions-2011-quarterback.html\"\u003Eproving capable during Quinlan's suspension in 2011\u003C\/a\u003E. While \u003Cb\u003ERob Babic\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EBrad Fochesato\u003C\/b\u003E represented dependable production through the air, \u003Cb\u003EDahlin Brooks\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EMax Cameron\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003ETyler Loveday\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EBen O'Connor\u003C\/b\u003E have all shown comparable ability in extended action. The Marauders will lean on a formidable secondary which returns all five of its starters, while hoping that the lines gell quickly in what is a tough early schedule.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-vuIkpHJe0CE\/UhleEvsH05I\/AAAAAAAABM8\/_QX5wYCHzfs\/s1600\/gryphons.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-vuIkpHJe0CE\/UhleEvsH05I\/AAAAAAAABM8\/_QX5wYCHzfs\/s200\/gryphons.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EGUELPH\u003C\/b\u003E (8-2, +6.3 SRS) \u0026mdash; \u003Ci\u003ESome would say the Gryphons got lucky last year. If so, does it run out in 2013?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENS\u003C\/b\u003E: With Quinlan moving on, Guelph's \u003Cb\u003EJazz Lindsey\u003C\/b\u003E and Queen's \u003Cb\u003EBilly McPhee\u003C\/b\u003E are the only incumbent QBs in the league who have guided a team to a 6-2 finish or greater. The Gryphons are evidently talented and have given themselves a leg up with their recruiting. One warning is that some regression might be inevitable after a year where seemingly every up-for-grabs football bounced into their hands.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFC\u003C\/b\u003E: There's an awful lot of hype surrounding this team this season, after an improbable run to the Yates Cup final a year ago. Many other pundits seem to think that the Gryphons are ready to take another step forward, but I have the opposite opinion. I think they overachieved in a big way a year ago, no more so than \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2012\/11\/football-twice-in-lifetime-guelph-comes.html\"\u003Eduring that semifinal in which the Gaels mashed the self-destruct button\u003C\/a\u003E. Offensively, the Gryphons do have continuity going for them, and will return 11 of 12 starters. \u003Cb\u003ERob Farquharson\u003C\/b\u003E should be among the league rushing leaders once again, and Lindsey will be steady if unspectacular. But those who only remember the Gryphons' late-season romp should reacquaint themselves with Guelph's narrow victories over Toronto and Laurier. This was a Jekyll and Hyde team a year ago, and I think that we'll see more of Hyde in 2013.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jHY09XBxZKg\/UhleIwpNDOI\/AAAAAAAABNE\/HQoKdZ18Z_k\/s1600\/mustangs.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-jHY09XBxZKg\/UhleIwpNDOI\/AAAAAAAABNE\/HQoKdZ18Z_k\/s200\/mustangs.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWESTERN\u003C\/b\u003E (6-4, +14.2 SRS) \u0026mdash; \u003Ci\u003EWhat determines the success of this team, one that drew Mac in last year's OUA semi, and might have gone to the Yates otherwise?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFC\u003C\/b\u003E: How far along \u003Cb\u003EWill Finch\u003C\/b\u003E is in his progression will determine just how deep the Mustangs go this season. I see Western at the top of the heap, winning the Yates Cup, because I believe that he'll fulfil the potential that made him the top quarterback prospect in Canada in 2011. Finch doesn't need to be a world-beater, because he has the best running game in the province (by a landslide) at his beck-and-call, and the most well-rounded offensive line. Defensively, Western returns most starters, including defensive linemen \u003Cb\u003EDaryl Waud\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EDylan Ainsworth\u003C\/b\u003E, and linebacker \u003Cb\u003EBeau Landry\u003C\/b\u003E. The loss of \u003Cb\u003EHarold Mutabola\u003C\/b\u003E will hurt the secondary, but \u003Cb\u003EGreg Marshall\u003C\/b\u003E recruited heavily, and successfully, at that position. With the strength of Western's ground game, their line play, and the expected emergence of Finch, the Mustangs are in an enviable position this season.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENS\u003C\/b\u003E: Western could be very dangerous \u0026mdash; \u003Cb\u003EMatt Uren\u003C\/b\u003E is such a good all-purpose threat \u0026mdash; but Finch is still very early on in his maturation cycle as a quarterback. It might be another season before Marshall really opens up the whole playbook. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-UmNkEspahv4\/UhleMuIirPI\/AAAAAAAABNM\/JIkd_2YZyUY\/s1600\/goldengaels.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/2.bp.blogspot.com\/-UmNkEspahv4\/UhleMuIirPI\/AAAAAAAABNM\/JIkd_2YZyUY\/s200\/goldengaels.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EQUEEN'S\u003C\/b\u003E (7-3, +10.7 SRS) \u0026mdash; \u003Ci\u003EAnother member of the top four that just missed a shot for the championship. Will they return to the Yates Cup for the first time since 2009, the year they won some other trophy as well?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENS\u003C\/b\u003E: Queen's is in the same turn-hurt-into-hunger scenario some of its past teams faced. The 2009 team was coming off consecutive home playoff losses; their '92 Vanier winner also had a 22-point lead go up in smoke in the playoffs, just like the '12 crew did \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2012\/11\/football-twice-in-lifetime-guelph-comes.html\"\u003Evs. Guelph last November\u003C\/a\u003E. Their window to win might not be as wide open as it is this fall; they return 20 starters and McPhee will now have a dedicated offensive coordinator with \u003Cb\u003ERyan Sheahan\u003C\/b\u003E rejoining the staff after his year with the Tiger-Cats. That might provide the solution to an all too frequently peaks-and-valleys passing game. There's a good skill-position group with the fifth-year trio of \u003Cb\u003ERyan Granberg\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EGiovanni Aprile\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EJustin Chapdelaine\u003C\/b\u003E, incoming D1 transfers \u003Cb\u003EBrandon Morgan\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EDaniel Heslop\u003C\/b\u003E, and the emerging \u003Cb\u003EAlex Carroll\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EChris Patrician\u003C\/b\u003E. Queen's, for the most part, has been steady in its running game, defence and special teams for the last two years, notwithstanding the inordinate number of punt blocks they allowed last fall.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFC\u003C\/b\u003E: A year ago, the Gaels remembered that they planned a kegger for the day of the Yates Cup and promptly shuffled out of their OUA semifinal. I wouldn't bank on that happening again. This is the most veteran squad in the province in 2013, with one last chance to take top prize before hanging up the tricolour. Aprile and Chapdelaine provide a great one-two threat through the air, and Granberg is reliable as always (though overused). Both lines are chalked full of experience and size, and will be among the very best in the province. Veterans abound on defence as well, with \u003Cb\u003EAndrew Lue\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EChase Dunawa\u003C\/b\u003E, and \u003Cb\u003ESam Sabourin\u003C\/b\u003E anchoring a fearsome back eight. But the lynchpin in it all may be McPhee, and that's why I don't think Queen's can win the championship they so desperately want this season. Quite simply, I've never thought very highly of McPhee as a passer. He does well underneath, and makes the routine play, but he doesn't protect the ball particularly well and he doesn't throw deep routes on par with a passer like Austin Kennedy. Maybe this is the year that McPhee makes a breakthrough, but I wouldn't bet on it.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-TS45fJ8LJhY\/UhleRYGZfwI\/AAAAAAAABNU\/c5bWginfkq4\/s1600\/lancers.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-TS45fJ8LJhY\/UhleRYGZfwI\/AAAAAAAABNU\/c5bWginfkq4\/s200\/lancers.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWINDSOR\u003C\/b\u003E (3-6, -2.8 SRS) \u0026mdash; \u003Ci\u003EDo they have a shot at getting past those 5-at-4 or 6-at-3 matchups, losses in which seem inevitable for midpack OUA teams? Having perhaps the best returning OUA quarterback won't hurt.\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFC\u003C\/b\u003E: The Lancers will have to navigate a few key losses in 2013, and how they fare this season may depend on how well they fill those holes. First and foremost, Windsor will be without the services of \u003Cb\u003EJordan Brescacin\u003C\/b\u003E, far and away the most dominant receiver in the OUA in 2012 (and as an aside, the fact that Brescacin is currently without a CFL employer baffles me). Look for the ball to be spread more evenly between returnees \u003Cb\u003EEvan Pszczonak\u003C\/b\u003E, \u003Cb\u003EDylan Whitfield\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EKyle Tyo\u003C\/b\u003E. Defensively, both of the Lancers' 2012 all-stars have graduated, in halfback \u003Cb\u003EMatt McGarva\u003C\/b\u003E and corner \u003Cb\u003EShea Pierre\u003C\/b\u003E. That could set Windsor's secondary back, at least momentarily. But if \u003Cb\u003EAustin Kennedy\u003C\/b\u003E can keep the Lancers' offence firing at the rate it did last season, it might not matter.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-OvUv6eeJ9Jo\/UhleVCipRHI\/AAAAAAAABNc\/VRecdFS7jyk\/s1600\/geegees.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-OvUv6eeJ9Jo\/UhleVCipRHI\/AAAAAAAABNc\/VRecdFS7jyk\/s200\/geegees.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EOTTAWA\u003C\/b\u003E (2-6, -3.3 SRS) \u0026mdash; \u003Ci\u003ECompared to the other 2-6 teams they weren't blown out nearly as badly, so they have to get better, right?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFC\u003C\/b\u003E: Looking at the Gee-Gees and the Lancers, I think these teams could easily flip between 5th and 6th. Let's put it this way: both teams are better than the bottom half of this division, but a clear step behind the Big Four. I put Ottawa behind Windsor because their defence still terrifies me, but I'll get to that in a second. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe foundation of Ottawa's offence remains intact and very dangerous, with \u003Cb\u003EAaron Colbon\u003C\/b\u003E back under centre along with his two favourite targets, \u003Cb\u003ESimon Le Marquand\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EVincent Campbell\u003C\/b\u003E, and fifth-year rusher \u003Cb\u003EBrendan Gillanders\u003C\/b\u003E. With the offensive line intact and a year wiser, there's no reason to expect a regression on offence. But where the Gee-Gees were so often victimized last season was in their backfield, and that area will take time to address. Will the group be better than they were last season? Probably. But not good enough to make Ottawa a real threat in this division.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003ENS\u003C\/b\u003E: On gut instinct alone, Ottawa gets back in the playoffs. Colbon, Gillanders, and Le Marquand are a good set of fifth-year triplets on offence and their line play should improve on each side of the ball. Their 'back eight' has been an Achilles heel for a couple years, perhaps more schematically than athletically.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ej0DYF6Md3E\/UhleooC9mSI\/AAAAAAAABN0\/-SLXFgZEqmE\/s1600\/lions.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/3.bp.blogspot.com\/-ej0DYF6Md3E\/UhleooC9mSI\/AAAAAAAABN0\/-SLXFgZEqmE\/s200\/lions.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EYORK\u003C\/b\u003E (2-6, -12.6 SRS) and \u003Cb\u003ETORONTO\u003C\/b\u003E (2-6, -20.0 SRS) \u0026mdash; \u003Ci\u003EIs there any hope?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EPK\u003C\/b\u003E: They had games they could have won in 2012. Both teams came off seasons with upsides but not a whole lot of results. Toronto lost something after their Laurier opener, and York simply had trouble putting a complete performance in games last season. Both teams will be hungry, and have a lot of their core guys back to play. There are a lot of beatable teams in the OUA, including the Beta version of Carleton's program, and they have the assets to win.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-TYONdzeNn8o\/UhleuOwGstI\/AAAAAAAABN8\/cIurxg4bAz0\/s1600\/varsityblues.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-TYONdzeNn8o\/UhleuOwGstI\/AAAAAAAABN8\/cIurxg4bAz0\/s200\/varsityblues.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFC\u003C\/b\u003E: If I had to pick an adjective to best encapsulate Toronto, it would be “nondescript”. The Varsity Blues are there. They're not terrible. They're not very good. They're there. There's a reason that there were no All-Stars named from Toronto in 2012. The quarterbacking duo of \u003Cb\u003ESimon Nassar\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003ERichard Quittenton\u003C\/b\u003E return to do completely average things, and the amazingly-named \u003Cb\u003EPaul de Pass\u003C\/b\u003E will lead the way as Toronto's fifth-year receiver. Leading rusher \u003Cb\u003EAshton Nelson\u003C\/b\u003E is gone, but on the plus side, the Blues return the bulk of their young defence, which should improve this season. Still, they look to be set for yet another year in the murky middle ground of the OUA. \u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EAs for York, there are a lot of new faces in the Lions' defensive backfield this season, and rightly so. The secondary was victimized early and often last year en route to the dubious distinction of giving up the most passing yards of any defensive unit in the OUA. So in scanning the Lions' roster, it doesn't surprise me to see 12 rookie defensive backs listed. If York is to make further strides this year, it will need its defence to stop holding back a promising offence, which was quietly among the OUA's best last season. \u003Cb\u003EMyles Gibbon\u003C\/b\u003E has one last kick at the varsity can, as do primary targets \u003Cb\u003EWill Austin\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EJonelle Tolbert\u003C\/b\u003E. The question is whether that offence can adapt to the loss of leading rusher \u003Cb\u003EKyle Exume\u003C\/b\u003E. I think they'll manage.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-6WNx8TU3dYc\/Uhle1XA7u9I\/AAAAAAAABOE\/1GNZkZmqfzM\/s1600\/goldenhawks.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-6WNx8TU3dYc\/Uhle1XA7u9I\/AAAAAAAABOE\/1GNZkZmqfzM\/s200\/goldenhawks.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003ELAURIER\u003C\/b\u003E (3-6, -16.1 SRS) \u0026mdash; \u003Ci\u003E2012 was quite an awful year, especially by their standards. What happened? Can they improve?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFC\u003C\/b\u003E: Remember when the Golden Hawks were perennial contenders and a feel-good story of small town success? Good, because those times are long gone. This team reached a new low last season, and I see nothing to expect an immediate turnaround. What seniors there were in last year's atrocious offence – which scored the fewest points in the OUA (109) by a fairly wide margin – are gone, including receivers \u003Cb\u003EAlex Anthony\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EAnton Bennett\u003C\/b\u003E, and fullback \u003Cb\u003EJosh Pirie\u003C\/b\u003E. Sophomore \u003Cb\u003EJames Fracas\u003C\/b\u003E takes over under centre, after being thrown to the wolves appearing in four games \u0026mdash; including Laurier's 34-0 quarterfinal thrashing at the hands of Queen's \u0026mdash; and completing 28 of 57 passes for 327, a pick and no points in 2012. Oh, and Laurier's only All-Star from a season ago, linebacker \u003Cb\u003EMitchell Bosch\u003C\/b\u003E is gone, alongside fellow linebacking starter \u003Cb\u003ENick Sapone\u003C\/b\u003E, defensive back \u003Cb\u003ECarlos Naranjo\u003C\/b\u003E and defensive linemen \u003Cb\u003EAlex Brouwers\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EBen Ivany\u003C\/b\u003E. This could be fun for the other teams in the league.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-37aWEUgUwfs\/Uhle5OdEMNI\/AAAAAAAABOM\/tK_bnwjNfkU\/s1600\/warriors.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/1.bp.blogspot.com\/-37aWEUgUwfs\/Uhle5OdEMNI\/AAAAAAAABOM\/tK_bnwjNfkU\/s200\/warriors.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003EWATERLOO\u003C\/b\u003E (2-6, -22.0 SRS) \u0026mdash; \u003Ci\u003EThe great saga continues: this team's last win over a non-York\/Toronto\/Windsor opponent was five years ago. Will they get one this year?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFC\u003C\/b\u003E: Little by little, the Warriors pick up the pieces and get crucially older. With \u003Cb\u003EJoe Paopao\u003C\/b\u003E sticking around, the Warriors will also enjoy continuity at the top, which is a must if they want to dig themselves out of the cellar anytime soon. But returning your players only matters if those players were worth a toss in the first place. On offence, there were some things to like, namely, receiving warhorse \u003Cb\u003ENick Anapolsky\u003C\/b\u003E and lineman \u003Cb\u003EMatt Vonk\u003C\/b\u003E. But this is a group whose returning quarterbacking duo of \u003Cb\u003EJamie Cook\u003C\/b\u003E and \u003Cb\u003EBrian Chris\u003C\/b\u003E threw four more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (8), and didn't boast a single rusher inside the league's top 20. Not to mention, the offence means very little when your defensive line is being treated like a TTC turnstile and there's only scorched earth where your backfield should be. This will be another ugly season.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"separator\" style=\"clear: both; text-align: center;\"\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-xpIBmCwX5Ng\/UhlfZ_2jW4I\/AAAAAAAABOc\/HqiBqZy3Yvc\/s1600\/ravens.jpg\" imageanchor=\"1\" style=\"clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;\"\u003E\u003Cimg border=\"0\" src=\"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-xpIBmCwX5Ng\/UhlfZ_2jW4I\/AAAAAAAABOc\/HqiBqZy3Yvc\/s200\/ravens.jpg\" \/\u003E\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E\u003Cb\u003ECARLETON\u003C\/b\u003E (did not play) \u0026mdash; \u003Ci\u003EWhat is our realistic expectation for their success this year? Can you build a program from scratch that's instantly better than some or all of Waterloo, York, and Toronto?\u003C\/i\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E[Ed. note: Neate has covered Carleton's return for Yahoo \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ca.sports.yahoo.com\/blogs\/cfl-55-yard-line\/cis-corner-ottawa-gee-gees-carleton-ravens-giving-190803207.html\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E and \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/ca.sports.yahoo.com\/blogs\/cfl-55-yard-line\/cis-corner-carleton-ravens-reboot-nears-launch-amount-175607974.html\"\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.]\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EFC\u003C\/b\u003E: In talking with football folk around McMaster and elsewhere, the sense that I get of Carleton is that this is a program with great potential, but one that won't be able to realize it for a few seasons. \u003Cb\u003ESteve Sumarah\u003C\/b\u003E has gathered together an impressive first class of recruits to much fanfare, but they remain just that: recruits. There's obviously a desire to win on the administration's part at Carleton, and they've put their money where their collective mouth is. But this football embryo needs time to grow. I would peg the Ravens at 1-7 this season, with the victory coming at the expense of Waterloo in Week 2.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/6779922688049154853\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/08\/football-2013-oua-preview_25.html#comment-form","title":"1 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6779922688049154853"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/6779922688049154853"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2013\/08\/football-2013-oua-preview_25.html","title":"Football: 2013 OUA preview"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"The CIS Blog"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/04279535209746489243"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"media$thumbnail":{"xmlns$media":"http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/","url":"http:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/-Cy3i0gB0UrQ\/Uhld7kWkdqI\/AAAAAAAABM0\/l8MFFiLVC5s\/s72-c\/marauders.jpg","height":"72","width":"72"},"thr$total":{"$t":"1"}},{"id":{"$t":"tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8220121611828242531.post-406602547800813948"},"published":{"$t":"2012-11-12T03:07:00.001-05:00"},"updated":{"$t":"2012-11-18T22:03:23.588-05:00"},"category":[{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Football"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Gryphons"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Marauders"},{"scheme":"http://www.blogger.com/atom/ns#","term":"Yates Cup"}],"title":{"type":"text","$t":"Football: The Anatomy of McMaster's Yates Cup Victory"},"content":{"type":"html","$t":"HAMILTON, Ont. \u0026mdash; McMaster punished Guelph's mistakes early and let a scorched-earth defence burn the clock\u0026mdash;and the Gryphons' chances\u0026mdash;late, en route to \u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/english.cis-sic.ca\/championships\/fball\/2012\/postseason-boxscores\/20121110_n2hy.xml\"\u003Ea 30-13 Yates Cup win Saturday\u003C\/a\u003E and a berth in the Mitchell Bowl.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EHere's how:\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cspan class=\"fullpost\"\u003E\u003Cb\u003EControlling the line of scrimmage\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThis game was won and lost in the first 20 minutes of play. How exactly the Marauders made that period so profitable for them, and so costly for the Gryphons, has a lot to do with the work of their defensive front seven.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat group endured a shaky start when Guelph rusher \u003Cb\u003ERob Farquharson\u003C\/b\u003E bruised the Mac defence for 28 yards on his first two touches of the afternoon. But it was their effort in denying him in first-and-ten situations in the opening quarter that proved to be pivotal, because \u003Cb\u003EJazz Lindsey\u003C\/b\u003E\u0026mdash;like most quarterbacks in the Canadian game\u0026mdash;quickly became a liability when forced to throw on second-and-long.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Marauders' second offensive possession was hardly a thing of beauty. But it was enough to pin the Gryphons at their 11, where the combination of right end \u003Cb\u003ETanvir Bhangoo\u003C\/b\u003E and strong-side linebacker \u003Cb\u003EShane Beaton\u003C\/b\u003E dropped Farquharson for no gain. The next play? A five-yard check-down that forced a safety and trimmed Guelph's lead to 3-2.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe Marauders answered that stop with their first well-orchestrated scoring drive to make it a 9-3 ball game, before the defence repeated the trick. Guelph attempted to run with Farquharson on first-and-ten and he was once again foiled by a crashing Beaton for a loss of two. Next play? An interception.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThat interception became three more points after a stalled McMaster drive deep in Guelph territory. The Marauders entered the second quarter with a healthy 12-3 advantage, having only engineered one complete offensive drive.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe credit for that falls to the defence and the front seven in particular.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EYards for yards' sake\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EMcMaster's offence made the most of its opportunities on Saturday without being in top gear for much of the game.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EShortly after the aforementioned first quarter, \u003Cb\u003EKyle Quinlan\u003C\/b\u003E put together a scoring drive on a short field (McMaster began on Guelph's 39-yard line) that ended in a 21-yard touchdown to \u003Cb\u003ETyler Loveday\u003C\/b\u003E. That would be the offence's last contribution to the scoreboard until the third quarter.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut for much of the game, the unit's greatest contribution came in the form of field position, an area McMaster consistently dominated on Saturday. The Marauders 449 yards of total offence were accompanied by only three touchdowns. That might seem like inefficiency. But in the war of attrition that the hosts waged in the second half, yardage itself was the greatest weapon.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EA telling stat: only one Guelph drive in the second half began beyond their 40-yard line (their first possession of the third quarter began at their 41).\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cb\u003EA lesson in scorched-earth defence\u003C\/b\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EWith a healthy 11-point lead to begin the second half\u0026mdash;that only got healthier when \u003Cb\u003EKasean Davis-Reynolds\u003C\/b\u003E scored McMaster's third touchdown early in the third\u0026mdash;the Marauders' secondary sagged back.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EIt fell to that familiar front seven to chase Lindsey from the pocket in an increasingly one-dimensional Guelph offence. Chase they did, and it was to the Gryphon quarterback's credit that he continued to find receivers and amass yards in the face of consistent pressure.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EBut those yards were gained in short and intermediate doses, with Mac's secondary nestled in comfortable deep zones and content to use their field position and point cushion to burn away the game clock.\u003Cbr \/\u003E\u003Cbr \/\u003EThe result was movement without impact. The Gryphons amassed 209 yards of offence in the second half but only three points, as their comeback effort fell well short.\u003C\/span\u003E\u003Cdiv class=\"blogger-post-footer\"\u003EPlease visit \u003Cb\u003E\u003Ci\u003E\u003Ca href=\"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\"\u003Ecisblog.ca\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/i\u003E\u003C\/b\u003E.\u003C\/div\u003E"},"link":[{"rel":"replies","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/feeds\/406602547800813948\/comments\/default","title":"Post Comments"},{"rel":"replies","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2012\/11\/the-anatomy-of-mcmasters-yates-cup.html#comment-form","title":"0 Comments"},{"rel":"edit","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/406602547800813948"},{"rel":"self","type":"application/atom+xml","href":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/feeds\/8220121611828242531\/posts\/default\/406602547800813948"},{"rel":"alternate","type":"text/html","href":"http:\/\/www.cisblog.ca\/2012\/11\/the-anatomy-of-mcmasters-yates-cup.html","title":"Football: The Anatomy of McMaster's Yates Cup Victory"}],"author":[{"name":{"$t":"Fraser Caldwell"},"uri":{"$t":"http:\/\/www.blogger.com\/profile\/01025221177480820858"},"email":{"$t":"noreply@blogger.com"},"gd$image":{"rel":"http://schemas.google.com/g/2005#thumbnail","width":"16","height":"16","src":"https:\/\/img1.blogblog.com\/img\/b16-rounded.gif"}}],"thr$total":{"$t":"0"}}]}});