Back by popular demand - New stars, new coaches and new contenders means new storylines, here are the 27 questions facing each U SPORTS football program ahead of the 2023 U SPORTS season
OUA
1. Carleton Ravens
Managing to stay competitive, but not being seen as a viable threat, it feels like the Carleton Ravens have been a mid-tier, retooling program for the better part of the last four seasons. What will it take to push this group into legitimate Yates Cup contention?
2. Guelph Gryphons
Was 1-7 just a one-year thing? Or, are the Guelph Gryphons actually a rebuilding program?
Bonus: Is Scott Murray now the best defensive end in the nation?
3. Laurier Golden Hawks
Elgersma, Scott, Jordan, and Thorne: With a talented offence that has now matured, are the Laurier Golden Hawks a legitimate Yates Cup contender?
Bonus: Serious, but not serious - Are Laurier’s gold uniforms cursed?
4. McMaster Marauders
With Justice Allin and Andreas Dueck now gone, what’s in store for the new-look McMaster offence?
Bonus: It sounds crazy, but it’s been four years since the Mauraders’ last OUA playoff appearance. Can Stef Ptaszek regain control of this team’s direction on the field and coach them back into the postseason?
5. Ottawa Gee-Gees
With 2023 CFL Combine standout Amlicar Polk taking over as the starting Running back - after the departure of JP Cimankinda - can the Gee-Gees remain consistent in having one of the top rushing attacks in the nation?
Bonus: Will Kevin Vitcome become a 2x All-Canadian?
6. Queen’s Gaels
In 2023, Queen’s head coach Steve Snyder stated he believes Alex Vreeken has what it takes to be the best quarterback in the nation. Those words have not been forgotten. The time has come. Does Vreeken truly have what it takes?
Bonus: It’s time to have the conversation - Is Ashton Miller-Melancon the best defensive back in the nation?
7. U of T Varsity Blues
After an impressive first year as a starter, what does the leap look like for Varsity Blues quarterback Kinsale Philip?
8. Waterloo Warriors
It got to a point last season where a few opposing offensive coordinators felt they didn’t have to gameplan - can Waterloo’s defence finally get it together? If not, what can be done to repair this defence that has consistently struggled for the better part of the last five seasons?
9. Western Mustangs
Let’s just keep it 100 - Can anyone in the OUA stop Western this season?
Bonus: With running back Keanu Yazbeck expected to take on a bigger role, what can we expect from the Montreal native who’ll be entering his third season?
10. Windsor Lancers
Last season spoke for itself - is this the year that JP Circelli’s Windsor Lancers finally step into Yates Cup contention?
Bonus: Many considered him a snub for OUA Rookie of the Year honours last season - Can Windsor running back Joey Zorn put together an OUA All-Star-worthy campaign?
11. York Lions
Can York (actually) win a game this year?
Bonus: With Nathaniel Griffith and Brian Jones being named associate head coaches, can this program finally turn a new leaf and take the appropriate steps toward establishing a new - and healthy - culture?
Canada West
12. Alberta Golden Bears
What does the jump look like for quarterback Eli Hetlinger in his second season as the starter?
13. Calgary Dinos
Continued rebuild in Calgary - After losing seven of their games by an average margin of 22.2 points, and recording the fewest number of wins in a regular season (1) since 1966, what would it take for Calgary to become a competitive program again?
14. Manitoba Bisons
It’s Jackson Tachinski’s show now - Will the Bisons field the top passing attack in the Canada West conference?
Bonus: He was close last season - Will AK Gassama become the nation’s leading receiver?
15. Regina Rams
After losing two 2022 defensive All-Canadians Anthony Bennett (DE), Tanner Schmekel (DT), and Ryder Varga (LB, 2022 Canada West Defensive Player of the Year) to the CFL, who will step up and fill the large void that’s been left behind in Regina’s front-seven?
16. Saskatchewan Huskies
Big shoes to fill - What can we expect from quarterback Anton Amundrud in his first year as the full-time starter?
17. UBC Thunderbirds
Dark horse no longer - after making a run to the Hardy Cup in 2022, can the UBC Thunderbirds take the next step and finish the job?
Bonus: Will Theo Benedet win the JP Metras Trophy for the second consecutive season?
RSEQ
18. Concordia Stingers
In 2021, we saw them at arguably their best. In 2022, we saw them at their arguably no-so-best. What does year three look like for this Olivier Roy-led offence?
19. Laval Rouge et Or
Will Arnaud Desjardins become the nation’s leading passer?
Bonus: Will Arnaud Desjardins win RSEQ MVP? Hec?
20. McGill Redbirds
You know where this is going - Is quarterback Eloa Latendresse-Regimbald the second coming of Tre Ford?
21. Montréal Carabins
After losing last year’s Dunsmore Cup in a rather heartbreaking fashion, are the Carabins primed to regain control of the RSEQ in 2023?
22. Sherbrooke Vert et Or
They showed serious flashes last year - Can the Vert et Or become the “1C” of the RSEQ?
AUS
23. Acadia Axemen
After fielding the conference’s lowest-ranked offence and defence in 2022, what will it take for Acadia to become a competitive program again?
24. Bishop’s Gaiters
Is David Chaloux set to become the AUS’s next leading rusher?
25. Mount Allison Mounties
After making a run to the Loney Bowl in 2022 despite having the third-lowest scoring offence in the nation - which is quite impressive, depending on how you look at it - is it safe to say that the Mounties are a favourite to win the Loney Bowl IF they can get it together offensively?
26. SMU Huskies
What will SMU become after having their first full offseason with Steve Sumarah as head coach?
27. StFX X-Men
Will the X-Men complete the AUS three-peat
Bonus: Will the AUS MVP come from StFX for the third consecutive season?
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