CIS Top 25 – Pre-season rankings

CFC will be polling coaches and other respected football people to compile a weekly top 25 list. The list will be compiled quickly after the last game of the weekend. Since the exhibition season starts tomorrow evening in Sherbrooke we thought it was a great time to launch our pre-season poll.

Eleven contributors participated in our pre-season poll.

1. Calgary Dinos – They lost in last years vanier cup to the queens gaels. They return 2-time hec creighton winner QB Erik Glavic and RB Matt Walter and big play receivers Coehoorn and Parker. The dinos weakness last year was their secondary and they hope the additions of SFU transfer Anthony Deslauriers and team sweden player Doctor Cassama will be the right medicine. Coach Nill has taken over defensive coordinator duties so expect an aggressive, pressure oriented defensive attack.

2. Saskatchewan Huskies – Like the dinos, the huskies have improved from last year and return a veteran QB in Laurence Nixon. With 10 players running under a 4.6 at camp expect this team to keep up with anyone. Saturday September 4th the huskies visit the dinos. Circle that date and if you are in the calgary area make sure you are at McMahon stadium.

3. Laval Rouge et or – The post Benoit Groulx, Justin Ethier offensive era begins at Laval. Groulx led the rouge et or attack for the past years from under center and Ethier was the offensive coordinator for all of those seasons. That being said, the rouge et or will have to rely on defense and the run game early in the year, and that should be no problem with Sebastien Levesque and Maxime Beland running the ball. Also, the defense should be improved especially with transfers Arnaud Gascon-Nadon (Rice) and Bruno Lapointe (Buffalo) in the fold.

4. Wilfrid Laurier Hawks- Laurier has more questions then answers which makes them the same as every OUA team. The top spots in the conference should be decided by the end of september so don’t blink. Laurier benefited the most from the Waterloo debacle by bringing in 8 warrior players, 1 warrior coach, and 1 warrior guest coach. Who will be the starting QB? Newcomer Shane Kelly from Columbia university? End of 2009 season starter Evan Pawliuk? Start of 2009 season starter Luke Thompson? They lost some athletes to the pros and a ncaa transfer but still have a big pool of athletes to choose from.

5. Ottawa Gee Gees – Arguably the best QB in the nation, Brad Sinopoli, hopes to lead the garnet and grey to the promise land this year. Sinopoli should benefit from east west game and ticat camp experience. The Gee Gees will be led by running back, 2007 Football Canada Cup offensive MVP (u17), Brendan Gillanders and one of the best receiving cores led by Adjeitey, Hughes, Bolduc, and Millington. How will the oline and defense measure up? That will be the key.

6. Western Mustangs – You cannot replace a Michael Faulds. And now you have to replace Nathan Riva, after a reported hamstring injury in camp. Western will have to lean on their defense early and in particular their linebackers. John Surla is poised for a president trophy season especially with fellow linebackers Conor Elliot, Adrian Kaiser and Jason Kosec helping out . The ‘stangs biggest challenge will be to survive the early season whirlwind and establish a starting QB.

7. Saint Mary’s Huskies – The Huskies were physically outmatched when they played the Calgary Dinos in last years Uteck Bowl. The huskies will be tested early in the season when Laval visits the dog pound in week 2 of the AUS schedule. QB Jack Creighton will have to have big year for the Huskies, who are a going away favourite to win their conference. Another question mark for the huskies is who will replace kicker Justin Palardy?

8. Regina Rams – QB Marc Mueller looks to lead the rams deep into the playoffs in his fourth year of eligibility. The rams have quite a task to dethrone either calgary or saskatchewan along the way. Receivers Brenden Owens and Mark McConkey will have to come up big in the pass happy ram offense. The biggest question for the rams is on the defensive side. They gave up 28 points per game in 2009 and will have to improve upon that. Given this task are defenders Bruce Anderson, Jamir Walker, and Kirby Kezama.

9. McMaster Mauraders – The mauraders have a quiet confidence after the emergence of 2nd year QB Kyle Quinlan. If Quinlan continues to improve, along with the rest of the mauraders, this could be an exceptional year for the ancaster based school. Newcomer K Tyler Crapigna should solidify a kicking game that has been less then impressive in the past. Mac could benefit from a front loaded schedule. Tuesday August 31st the mauraders host the vanier cup champs. Circle that one.

10. Queens Gaels – As always, the team from kingston quietly goes about their business and puts together outstanding squads on an annual basis. While down in the polls due to the graduation of Danny Brannigan and other players like Shomari Williams and Jimmy Allin, the gaels flourish in an underdog role. Highly touted QB recruit Billy McPhee is now a gael after the folding of the waterloo program. If McPhee is the starter the gaels defense and run game will have to come up big early in the season. Five years ago another QB from Burlington started as a rookie; and that eventually turned out alright. How long will this take?

11. Manitoba Bisons
Always have great athletes, can they put it together in 2010?

12. Montreal Carabins
Lost QB Marc-Olivier Brouillette and most of the defense. Have one of top RBs in the country in Rotrand Sene.

13. Alberta Golden Bears
New QB, new RB. How will they perform against the tough weekly competition?

14. UBC Thunderbirds
Olsen has quietly put together a competitive squad. Will they compete right away?

15. Bishops Gaiters
Like Sherbrooke, will lean heavily on a 5th year QB in Jesse Andrews. Lots of new faces. How quickly will they gel?

16. Sherbrooke Vert et or
QB Jean-Philippe Shoiry must have a big year with departure of Pacal Fils to the eskimos.

17. McGill Redmen
Improved on defense and special teams. Will Jonathan Collin improve enough to make them a playoff team?

18. Concordia Stingers
QB Rob Mackay will have to lead the offense and score lots of points. Front seven is a question mark.

19. Guelph Gryphons
The Stu Lang era has begun. Who will start at QB in the new era?

20. Saint Francis Xavier
Lots of turnover and new faces. Coach waterman has recruited an impressive crop of rookies but how quickly will they come together?

21. Acadia Axemen
Will they beat anyone other than Mount Allison? ST FX, Bishops and Saint Mary’s are their other options this year.

22. Toronto Varsity Blues
Improving and will win some games, but undersized line play will be their downfall in 2010.

23. Windsor Lancers
Changes in the coaching staff and the QB position. Will newcomer Austin Kennedy be the man?

24. Mount Allison Mounties
Optimism in Sackville as Hec Creighton nominee Gary Ross has returned for a final season. But are they good enough at every position?

25. York Lions
Coach Craney has already turned the ship around and are headed in the right direction. They travel to Laval this weekend. Stay healthy.