CIS PREVIEWS AND PREDICTIONS (10): OUA quarterfinals and playoff spot on the line in CanWest!

For the AUS, CanWest and RSEQ this weekend marks the end of the regular season, in the OUA however things get real in a hurry as they kick off their playoffs with a pair of quarterfinal games. The Carleton Ravens return to the CIS postseason for the first time in almost twenty years and will head down the road to take on fellow “613” rival Queen’s. In the other quarterfinal Laurier heads to Hamilton to take on the sixth ranked Marauders.

Last week was another good week in terms of my picks, going a solid 11-2, bringing the season mark to 51-10. Below are the picks for the OUA playoffs and end of the regular season for the rest of the CIS.

 

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 30^th

Saskatchewan Huskies (2-5) @ Regina Rams (0-7) – The Huskies HAVE to win if they want any chance at a playoff spot and inter-provincial rival Regina would love nothing more than to play spoiler. Although the Rams are better than your typical 0-7 team, the Huskies are also better than their 2-5 record may indicate. Having said that if the the Huskies don’t run the ball more effectively than last weekend…..

SASKATCHEWAN 37 REGINA 28

 

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31^st

St. Francis Xavier X-Men (4-3) @ Mount Allison Mounties (5-2) –First place is potentially on the line as the X-Men take on Mount A in the regular season finale. The X-Men have as much talent as anyone in the AUS and will make this one a lot more interesting than people think. In the end the Mounties make the plays when needed, the X-Men don’t.

MOUNT ALLISON 28 StFX 23

 

St. Mary’s Huskies (0-7) @ Acadia Axemen (3-4) – The Huskies will finish 0-8 for the second year in a row.

ACADIA 28 SMU 19

 

OUA Quarter-Final – Laurier Golden (4-4) @ No. 6 McMaster Marauders (6-2) – It’s time to play for keeps in the OUA with the playoffs kicking off this weekend. The Golden Hawks boast the league’s second leading rusher and the reigning OUA MVP Dillon Campbell. Cambpell has the ability to single handily take over a game, but unlike 2014 Laurier are not completely reliant upon him. The O-line have improved steadily all season and are a force, while the defense is in the CIS’s top ten.

The Marauders looked like the Marauders in 2015, strong in most aspects of the game able to run and pass, while playing stellar defense. QB Asher Hastings set a CIS passing mark, firing 31 touchdown passes in 2015. But don’t let the record fool you, the Marauders can “ground and pound” if need be and have the offensive line, ground game and defense to finish off opponents.

The Golden Hawks were +6 in turnovers and need to win the turnover battle to win this one. Laurier keeps this one close forcing some key turnovers along the way, but Mac will prove too much having a stronger, faster defense along with more offensive weapons and firepower.

MCMASTER 33 LAURIER 30

 

OUA Quarter-Final – #10 Carleton Ravens (5-3) @ Queen’s Gaels (5-3) –A rematch of the season opener, a 34-24 Quuen’s win. The Gaels have been suspect against the run in 2015, while the Ravens offense excels at running the ball. I don’t trust the Ravens, but they match-up well and will score the road win.

CARLETON 33 QUEEN’S 30

No. 2 Laval Rouge et Or (6-1) @ McGill Redmen (3-4) – McGill’s resergence continued in 2015, but unfortunately the season will end with a loss.

LAVAL 44 MCGILL 19

Concordia Stingers (4-3) @ No. 4 Montreal Carabins (5-2) – The Stingers would love to pull the win and show that they belong with the RSEQ’s elite and not just the best of the rest. QB Trenton Miller leads a Concordia passing game that has improved all year and looks to be peaking heading into the playoffs. While the defending Vanier champs look poised to defend their crown with the playoffs around the corner.

Depth and speed are the difference in this one. The defending champs will enter the playoffs on a three game winning streak, beating a game but still over-matched Concordia team.

MONTREAL 38 CONCORDIA 28

 

Bishop’s Gaiters (1-6) @ No. 9 Sherbrooke Vert et Or (4-3) – Thanks to the crossover game against St. Mary’s the Gaiters will finish with a win. Although Sherbrooke has a playoff game locked up, they will finish this one by halftime.

SHERBROOKE 44 BISHOP’S 7

No. 8 Manitoba Bisons (5-2) @ No. 9 UBC Thunderbirds (5-2) – If you like seeing loads (and I mean loads) of offense, this is the game for you. Two of the CIS emerging young stars at QB will go toe-to-toe in a game featuring teams that have had an “offense first” approach this year. Manitoba’s Theo Deezar and UBC’s Michael O’Connor, both first year starters, both averaging over 300 yards a game, will square off in a battle for second. I have gotten burnt picking against UBC, but I am going to do it again.

MANITOBA 44 UBC 38

 

No. 1 Calgary Dinos (7-0) @ Alberta Golden Bears (2-5) – The good news for the Alberta Golden Bears is that they control their playoff fate. Win and they are in. The bad news…they play Calgary

CALGARY 58 ALBERTA 28

 

Record Last Week: 11-2 Record This Season: 51-10