Another week means another lineup of Top 10 matchups. We’re coming at you with three games that you need to watch this weekend.
Note: Click “where to watch” links to view games
#2 Saskatchewan Huskies (2-0) at #6 Regina Rams (2-0)
When: Saturday, September 17 at 7 PM CDT
Where to watch: Canada West TV (Paid)
They’re saying the province of Saskatchewan runs Canada West. Right now, they aren’t lying.
Let’s just be real, the Regina Rams have shocked the nation through their first two weeks of action. Nobody predicted anything from this program a month ago - literally no one.
In a preseason Canada West coaches poll, the Rams were given the fewest odds to win the Hardy Cup - fewer than even Calgary!
Yet, here they are, with convincing wins over the then-No. 6 Manitoba Bisons and Calgary Dinos under their belt, on the brink of being a top-five team in the nation over UBC and Manitoba. Shook.
Regina’s toughest test however, will come Saturday night against the provincial rival Huskies.
In the eyes of many, the Saskatchewan Huskies have had the most impressive start to the season of any team in nation - including Western. Let’s list the facts:
Currently averaging 506 offensive yards per game (1st in U SPORTS)
Currently allowing only 7.5 points per game (1st in U SPORTS)
Currently scoring 36.5 points per game (2nd in U SPORTS)
Factor in that they have the current Hec front-runner at quarterback in Mason Nyhus, and you have one of most impressive U SPORTS football teams of recent memory.
Every rising team has to go through a litmus test at some point, sharing the field with a perennial powerhouse to see where they truly stand.
Rest assured, this will be Regina’s litmus test. A competitive showing from the Rams could have them pinpointed as the second favourite to reach the Hardy Cup.
#10 Guelph Gryphons (1-2) at #9 Ottawa Gee-Gees (2-1)
When: Saturday, September 17 at 12 PM EDT
Where to watch: OUA TV
A week ago, nobody would have expected this matchup to be a top 10 encounter.
The Ottawa Gee-Gees have had a strong start to 2022 season. A week one victory over a solid Windsor Lancers squad along with a week three win over the McMaster Marauders have led the Gee-Gees back into the top 10 behind a the nation’s fifth leading rusher in JP Cimankinda and a top-twelve defence. It’s not even a question, Marcel Bellefeuille’s squad has handled their business through three weeks, and have a solid case for being ranked.
Guelph, though. That’s a different story.
The Gryphons are 1-2, with their lone win coming against a Waterloo Warriors squad that will have tons of questions to answer defensively this season. Regardless, despite concerns surrounding their quarterback play - even after Jake Helfrich’s 370 yard performance - as well as their ability to stop the run, Guelph is once again nationally ranked - over six other teams who have better records.
Unfortunately for Guelph - or fortunately, depending on how you slice it - a controversial ranking means all eyes will be on their matchup this Saturday against the Gee-Gees. But hey, they say pressure is a privilege, right?
Side note: the Gee-Gees will be debuting their garnet helmets. It’s about damn time.
U of T Varsity Blues (1-2) at Windsor Lancers (1-1)
When: Saturday, September 17 at 7 PM EDT
Where to watch: OUA TV
The U of T Varsity Blues and Windsor Lancers have quickly become two of the most exciting teams to watch in 2022 - imagine saying that five years ago.
Toronto’s run-heavy offence, highlighted by duel-threat quarterback Kinsale Philip and ball-carrier Adam Williams, has proven to be lethal for opposing front sevens, while Windsor’s Grit n’ Grind run-game fuelled by rookie Joey Zorn is ranked third in the nation.
Why is this game must-watch? Well, the reality is that the playoff races for both of these programs are already well into full-swing. With the OUA wide open from the second seed onwards, the Varsity Blues and Lancers could very well find themselves in the hunt for playoff spots come late October, with this head-to-head matchup potentially being a pivotal tie-breaker.
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