All you need to know about this weekend is that we have three Top 10 encounters.
Nuff said.
Note: Click “where to watch” links to view games
#9 UBC Thunderbirds at #2 Saskatchewan Huskies
When: Friday, September 9 at 7 PM CDT
Where to watch: Canada West TV (Paid)
A few weeks ago, if I had told you that this would be touted as Top 10 matchup, you probably would’ve thought I was on one.
But, behind a strong season opening performance from quarterback Garrett Rooker, ball-carrier Isaiah Knight, rookie receiver Shemar McBean, and both the offensive line and defensive front-seven - basically the entire squad - Blake Nill’s UBC Thunderbirds are back in the national spotlight at #9 on this week’s Top 10.
Their opponents are no stranger to the national spotlight. In fact, last week, the Saskatchewan Huskies gave football fans reasons to believe they won’t be fading out of the national scene anytime soon.
408 passing yards, 5 touchdowns, completed 74 percent of his passes, and threw no interceptions. Mason Nyhus has quickly established himself as the front-runner to be named Canada West MVP - and if this carries on, you can throw him in the Hec conversation too.
Outside of Nyhus and the offence, Scott Flory’s defence didn’t allow a single touchdown last week against Calgary. Granted, the days of Adam Sinagra, Josiah Joseph, and the Philpots are long gone. Regardless, though, to essentially shutout a Wayne Harris coached team is quite the feat.
Are the UBC Thunderbirds ready to step into the upper-echelon of the Canada West conference? Maybe.
Could this be a Hardy Cup preview? Possibly.
Is this game must-watch? Definitely.
Laurier Golden Hawks at UofT Varsity Blues
When: Saturday, September 10 at 1 PM PDT
Where to watch: OUA TV
In 2019, the University of Toronto Varsity Blues began their season with a 1-1 record. After a strong week two performance that saw them pick up a 54-26 win over Windsor, Greg Marshall and his team rolled into University Stadium on a Saturday night in week three and defeated the then-nationally ranked Laurier Golden Hawks 38-34.
Not only did that win move the Varsity Blues to 2-1, it got them ranked for the first time in 25 years - tenth in the nation.
Now, three years later, coming off heels of an “upset” win over the then-No. 10 Carleton Ravens, the Varsity Blues are once again 1-1 and linking up with the Golden Hawks with an opportunity to possibly crack into the Top 10 at stake.
#4 Laval Rouge et Or at #3 Montréal Carabins
When: Saturday, September 10 at 2 PM EDT
Where to watch: TVA Sports (Paid)
It’s Laval against Montréal, this doesn’t really need an explanation…
#5 Queen’s Gaels at #1 Western Mustangs
When: Saturday, September 10 at 7 PM EDT
Where to watch: OUA TV
I’ll preserve the hearts of Queen’s fans and choose not to recap what happened the last time these two teams met.
The reality is, however, the Queen’s Gaels have once again started their season undefeated.
A dominant 47-25 week one victory over U of T, followed by a special teams-driven win over Ottawa has the Gaels sitting at 2-0 and #5 in the country.
Some would say their start to the season is reminiscent of 2021. The only difference, though, is the Gaels aren’t protected by divisions. Meaning we don’t have to wait for a potential Yates Cup meeting to see how squad fares against Western.
Win or lose, we’ll find out who the Queen’s Gaels truly are this weekend.
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