With everyone now back in class, this weekend represents the first full slate of action from coast-to-coast. In an attempt to create competitive fairness the AUS had their bye week heading into the season this year as opposed to after the Loney Bowl as in past seasons. Having the bye after the Loney Bowl meant the AUS winner was the only team afforded an extra week’s rest heading into the national semifinals and the powers that be looked to change that. With the change the AUS are the last to kickoff and will do so this weekend officially launching the 2015 season into full swing.
Once again we are happy to be able to bring you our weekly CIS predictions involving the week’s top games. With the defending champion Montreal Carabins losing in week one to Laval (as they did last year) it served to reinforce how wide open the 2015 race to the Vanier Cup will be. On that note here are the inaugural picks of 2015. Enjoy the season everyone!
CIS PREVIEWS AND PREDICTIONS (1)
#2 CALGARY DINOS (1-0) @ #6 MANITOBA BISONS (1-0) Friday September 11th 19h00 CDT
THE MATCHUP: The Dinos were cruising along last season heading into the regular season finale sporting a 6-1 mark and looking like a safe bet to repeat as CanWest champs….but along came Manitoba. The Dinos ended up losing two of their final three games, both to the Bisons with the Hardy Cup the prize in the second game. There will no doubt be a bit of a revenge factor for a Dinos squad that returns 20 starters from the 2014 team.
CALGARY PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Andrew Buckley, RB Mercer Timmis, Rec Brett Blaszko, DL Connor McGough, DB Adam Laurensse, OL Sean McEwen, LB Doctor Cassama, LB Tanner Doll
MANITOBA PLAYERS TO WATCH: DT David Onyemata, LB DJ Lalama, DB Jayden McKoy, DL Evan Foster, QB Theo Deezar, OL Alex McKay, SB Alex Vitt
WHY CALGARY MAY WIN: Forget revenge, Calgary is loaded plain and simple. The Dinos return 20 of 24 starters including a staggering ten All-Canadians. The offense is led by 2014 Hec Crighton recipient Andrew Buckley at QB and they have stars everywhere. The same can be said for the defense. If Buckley and running back Mercer Timmis bring their respective “A” games there are few if any in the country who can stop this offense. What makes the Dinos so good is that the defense has the potential to be just as lethal. Either unit could carry a team, but when both are firing on all cylinders…..look out.
WHY MANITOBA MAY WIN: Nowhere does home field factor in as much as in the CanWest. The Bisons were the posterchild going 0-4 on the road in 2014 while doing a complete 180 and going unbeaten at home. Having to travel across the country, fly, cross time zones, etc. it has an impact. Playing at home is a big factor in this one and will definately play a role in the outcome. Another factor heavily in the Bisons’ favour is QB Theo Deezar. Deezar was forced into action in the Bisons must win season finale and as the starter led Manitoba to a 50-31 win to clinch a playoff birth. Deezar won’t be intimidated heading into this one, in fact the opposite as he probably comes into this one with confidence and could make things very miserable for the Dino secondary.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: This one will be won in the trenches….I know a it’s a little cliché but in this case it’s so true. Calgary has a veteran and very skilled offensive line, while the strength of the Bison defense is their front. Expect the Calgary line to do enough to allow Timmis and company to turn this into a track meet and with the key losses suffered by Manitoba on offense due to graduation (Rec Nic Demski, QB Jordan Yantz, RB Kienan LaFrance, SB Matt Sawyer) there are bound to be growing pains. Look for the Dinos to pull away in the 4th.
FINAL SCORE: CALGARY 38 MANITOBA 29
***UPSET SPECIAL*** OTTAWA GEE-GEES (1-0) @ #7 MCMASTER (1-0) Saturday September 12th 13h00 EDT
THE MATCHUP: Another 2014 playoff rematch, the upstart GeeGees fell to McMaster 42-31 in the OUA semifinals. Both teams return a lot of talent, particularly Ottawa who bring back 18 of 24 starters, as well as both kickers. A battle of two offenses that can score and score in a hurry.
OTTAWA PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Derek Wendel, RB Bryce Viera, LB Nic Lecour, S Jackson Bennett, DL Rasheed Timbilla, REC Ian Stewart, LB Marc-Antoine Laurin
MCMASTER PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Asher Hastings, REC Danny Vandervoort, REC Daniel Petermann, RB Wayne Moore, OT Sean Smith, OG Zack Intzandt, DE Mike Kashak, DE Mark Mackie, Joe Richardson, DB Keldyn Ahlstedt
WHY OTTAWA MAY WIN: Derek Wendel is the triggerman for what will be one of the OUA’s best attacks, if not the best. If given time Wendel is a strong armed accurate passer that will shred any defense add in the one-two punch of running backs Bryce Viera and Mack Tommy and you have the makings of an offensive juggernaut.
WHY MCMASTER MAY WIN: The big question mark for Ottawa is at O-line where they replace three of five starters. Expected to be strong upfront if the Marauders can control the line of scrimmage on defense and harass QB Derek Wendel it could be a frustrating and long afternoon for the Gees
WHAT WILL HAPPEN: The Marauders have a lot of returning talent, but two strikes against them in this one. First, replacing QB Marshall Ferguson won’t be easy and although Asher Hastings has loads of talent the transition may take time. That however won’t be close to their biggest problem this weekend, the secondary is mostly young and inexperienced. Derek Wendel and his receivers are veterans with a lot of experience and most importantly great timing. Ottawa returns it’s QB and five top receivers, McMaster is replacing the majority of it’s secondary…..see the problem. McMaster comes in #7 but by next week, it will be Ottawa not McMaster residing in the CIS weekly Top 10.
FINAL SCORE: OTTAWA 37 MCMASTER 24
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