CIS PREVIEWS AND PREDICTIONS (9): Will Calgary and Western remain unbeaten? Who will make the playoffs?

Finally can boast a 13-0 week. Last week we got 13 of 13 right for the first time all year, but unfortunately that is history as below are my picks for week nine of the 2015 CIS season.

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER ^23RD

 

Alberta Golden Bears (2-4) @ No. 8 Manitoba Bisons (4-2) – With the Dinos up next, this one is a must win for the Golden Bears if they have any playoff aspirations. Although they hold the tie-breaker with Saskatchewan for the final playoff spot, the Huskies have the easier path. Speaking of the Dinos the one team that looks like they could challenge them in the the CanWest is Manitoba and unfortunately for Alberta the Bisons will reinforce that this weekend.

MANITOBA 43 ALBERTA 21

 

No. 9 UBC Thunderbirds (3-2) @ Saskatchewan Huskies (2-4) – Fortunately for UBC weather won’t play a factor in this one because if their pass game is shut down they are in trouble. Having said that I still like the Huskies at home.

SASKATCHEWAN 38 UBC 33

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 24^th

 

Acadia Axemen (3-3) @ St. Francis Xavier X-Men (3-3) Acadia risks coming out flat after a disappointing performance last week, but should weather an early storm and sneak away with a win.

ACADIA 28 StFX 20

 

St. Mary’s Huskies (0-6) @ Mount Allison Mounties (4-2) – Second straight winless season seems likely. One thing is certain, they won’t snap the streak this week. Mount A is in a class of their own in the AUS and win this one going away..

MOUNT ALLISON 46 ST. MARY’S 14

 

***UPSET ALERT*** Laurier Golden Hawks (3-4) @ Queen’s Gaels (5-2) – In a must win scenario for Laurier, they should exploit the Queen’s run defense and clinch a playoff spot. The Golden Hawks are the OUA’s most improved team since opening day and are looking like the team nobody really wants to face in this year’s playoffs.

LAURIER 36 QUEEN’S 27

Waterloo Warriors (0-7) @ Windsor Lancers (1-6) – Waterloo will have to wait until next year to break the losing streak in this battle of “next season” teams.

WINDSOR 35 WATERLOO 19

 

No. 7 Guelph Gryphons (6-1) @ No. 10 Carleton Ravens (5-2) – A lot on the line for the Gryphons as they could finish as high as 2nd and as low as fifth. The Gryphons hold the edge on both sides of the ball and look for their defense to be the difference, containing Carleton all afternoon.

GUELPH 28 CARLETON 17

 

Toronto Varsity Blues (3-5) @ Ottawa Gee-Gees (2-5) – The Varsity Blues and Gee-Gees both need wins and help from others to make the postseason, so both will come out firing. This one favours Ottawa though, as the defense should be able to stop Toronto periodically throughout the day…the same can’t be said for Toronto stopping Ottawa.

OTTAWA 44 TORONTO 30

 

No. 2 Western Mustangs (7-0) @ No. 6 McMaster Marauders (6-1) – Western will show just how good they are and make it 8-0.

WESTERN 49 MCMASTER 24

 

No. 3 Montreal Carabins (4-2) @ Bishop’s Gaiters (1-5) – Even if they suffer a letdown after last week’s big win, Montreal will still cruise in this one.

MONTREAL 47 BISHOP’S 9

 

Concordia Stingers (3-3) @ McGill Redmen (3-3)  – A battle for the remaining playoff spot in the Q. Concordia has a kittle more depth at this point.

CONCORDIA 27 MCGILL 23

 

Regina Rams (0-6) @ No. 1 Calgary Dinos (6-0) – The Rams have been competitive in most of their games in 2015 , despite the 0-6 mark.They won’t be in this one.

CALGARY 51 REGINA 19

 

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25^th

 

No. 5 Sherbrooke Vert et Or (4-2) @ No. 4 Laval Rouge et Or (5-1) – Laval bounces back and wins a tight one.

LAVAL 25 SHERBROOKE 12

 

 

 

Record Last Week: 13-0 Record This Season: 40-8