Disclaimer: Most of this week’s games will be happening Friday night (five games) as opposed to Saturday (two games). Adjust your schedules accordingly.
Here are a few must-watch games to add to your Thanksgiving festivities.
Note: Click “where to watch” links to view games
#9 Laurier Golden Hawks (3-2) vs Waterloo Warriors (1-4)
When: Thursday, October 6 at 6 PM EDT
Where to watch: OUA TV
Full transparency: this game is solely on this list due to the reputation it’s built over the last few years.
The reality is, however, the stars of yesteryear that put the Battle of Waterloo on the map - the Fords, Kurleigh Gittens Jr, Tyler Ternowski, Tommy Bringi, Dion Pellerin, and Levondre Gordon, just to name a few - are all gone.
Not only have many familiar faces departed, but, it seems like the Warriors and Golden Hawks sit on opposite sides of the competitive spectrum in 2022, with the Golden Hawks finding themselves fighting for a home playoff game, while the Warriors find themselves just fighting to pick up another win.
Anyways, this is the only game happening tonight, so why not watch it?
#5 Laval Rouge et Or (4-1) vs #10 Sherbrooke Vert et Or (3-2)
When: Friday, October 7 at 7 PM EDT
Where to watch: TVA Sports (Paid)
“Same old Sherbrooke”
That’s what many were saying when the Vert et Or sat on the losing end of a 27-3 blowout to the Rouge et Or back in week one.
At that time, no one would’ve ever expected this program to go on the run it has since then.
Three wins later - including two over Concordia - plus, a nearly upsetting the No. 3 Montréal Carabins, and the Vert et Or are back in the U SPORTS Top 10 at No. 10.
In a lot of ways, Sherbrooke has become one of the feel-good come-up stories of the 2022 season, with a lot of fans pegging them as a sleeper team in the RSEQ.
The 2022 Vert et Or are a unique group for multiple reasons. Offensively, they’ve seen struggles, only averaging 298.2 total yards per game (24th in U SPORTS), along with just three total passing touchdowns (22nd in U SPORTS).
Where they shine, however, is on the defensive side of the ball, only allowing an average of 336.6 yards per game (12th in U SPORTS) and 20.2 points per game (14th in U SPORTS). Sherbrooke’s defence is also among the best in the nation at forcing turnovers, having eight fumble recoveries (2nd in U SPORTS) and six interceptions (3rd in U SPORTS).
Has Sherbrooke become a better team since their last meeting with Laval? Perhaps.
Are the Vert et Or actually primed to be a sleeper team in the RSEQ? Maybe.
Let’s not cut to any conclusions, though, ride this game out.
#1 Western Mustangs (5-0) vs U of T Varsity Blues (3-3)
When: Friday, October 6 at 7 PM EDT
Where to watch: OUA TV
You’re probably confused as to why this would be deemed a must-watch matchup. It’s quite a random addition to the list, to be honest.
First off, both head coaches are named Greg Marshall - crazy.
Second, for U SPORTS football fans, Western vs. U of T is worth a watch solely just to see how Greg Marshall’s defence fairs against Varsity Blues quarterback Kinsale Philip.
For those who remember, the quarterback that gave Western’s defence the most issues from 2019 to 2021 was Waterloo’s Tre Ford.
Don’t get it twisted, we’re not saying Philip is Ford - although, with four years of eligibility remaining, the sky’s the limit for the BC native. Philip has, though, built a conference-wide reputation for being an elusive dual-threat quarterback, and probably the most dangerous one in the country right now alongside McGill’s Eloa Latendresse-Regimbald.
With Dual-threat quarterbacks proving to be an Achilles heel for Western’s defence according to recent memory, it’ll be interesting to see these two link up for what will be the first time since 2015.
Also, it’s a Friday night at Varsity Stadium. doesn’t get any better than that.
About 57th Vanier Cup
The 2022 Vanier Cup is the 57th edition of the championship and will be hosted at Western Alumni Stadium in London, Ontario on November 26th with kick-off at 1pm. The winner of the Uteck and Mitchell Bowl will face off against one another for the right to engrave their school’s name onto this historic trophy. The Western Mustangs are the defending champions, making it only the second time in U SPORTS history that the defending champions will be hosting the game and have the opportunity to defend their title on home turf. Tickets are on-sale now starting at only $25! Visit www.VanierCup.com to learn more and to purchase your tickets today!
About PRSVRE
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