We’re a quarter of the way through the OUA regular season and two teams have clearly risen to the top of the OUA. They’re also the same top two teams from last season and will be doing battle this week. The Western Mustangs will play host to the Ottawa Gee-Gees in this week’s big game but almost all of the games this week look like they could be instant classics.

Guelph Gryphons (1-1) at Toronto Varsity Blues (1-1) [1:00 PM]

I bet somebody in programming at The Score looked at this game and said, “We’ve got a game against an up-and-coming Toronto team against Guelph who could win it all.” No, I’m kidding. They actually said, “Guelph might be good and Toronto isn’t going winless. Let’s save some money and show this game.” I mean, you’ve got Laurier vs. Queen’s and Ottawa vs. Western also on the slate this week which looked like quality games before the season started. What a blatant cost-saving measure by The Score. It’s embarrassing as an OUA fan but you just have to take it because no one else will give the OUA regular season time on a national broadcaster. Anyway, the Gryphons are going to demolish the Blues. It’s just a matter of how close it will be. After all, Toronto hasn’t scored a major yet this season.

Broadcasters:
TV: The Score

#9 Ottawa Gee-Gees (2-0) at #3 Western Mustangs (2-0) [1:00 PM]

Contrary to what TV says, this is your OUA game of the week. Western has absolutely dominated in its two games so far this season by putting up a total of 134 points. Leading the way for the Stangs offence is freshman Tyler Varga who has run for 229 yards and 7 touchdown. The whole offense is really based around the rush attack. Of Western’s 17 offensive TDs, 15 have come on the ground. They’re also averaging 410 yards per game on the ground. Ottawa has one of the better run defenses in the OUA this season so they could be in with a shot. But it all comes down to shutting down Western’s ground game. Donnie Marshall won’t win this game through the air unless Ottawa gives up the deep ball. If Ottawa can stifle the run, they can win this game.

Broadcasters:
TV: Rogers TV 13 (London)
Online: SSN Canada
Radio: CJBK 1290 AM (London)

Laurier Golden Hawks (1-1) at Queen’s Gaels (0-2) [1:00 PM]

If you’re a fan of the Tricolour, you’re really hoping that your boys can catch the Hawks while they’re down. Laurier gave up a come-from-behind loss to the Windsor Lancers for the first big upset of the OUA season. For Queen’s, their only hope in this game will come if the offense gets going. In two games, Queen’s has not scored a point on offence and have managed all of 8 points on the season (two safeties, one rouge and a 47-yard field goal). The problem is that the offensive line isn’t protecting QB Billy McPhee. With some time, McPhee is looking good under centre. The defense has done their best to keep the Gaels in the games but unless the offense shows up and gives the crowd a chance to sing the Oil Thigh, it’ll be 0-3 for the 2009 Vanier Cup champions.

Broadcasters:
TV: TV Cogeco 13 (Kingston)
Radio: CFRC 101.9 FM (Kingston)

York Lions (0-2) at Waterloo Warriors (0-2) [1:00 PM]

Actually, maybe this will be the OUA game of the week. It might (legitimately) be the most intriguing matchup in the OUA this week. In its games against Laurier and Toronto this season, the Lions have given up 56 points while managing to put up a grand total of 15 points. While Waterloo’s defense has been worse, giving up 151 points in two games, they have actually managed to put up 35 points. This one won’t be pretty but I don’t think anyone knows who will come out on top in this one. The important thing for both teams to remember is that this is their best (and probably only legitimate) opportunity to win a game this season.

Pregame Coverage:
Warriors Put Their Fans To The Test (The Record)

Broadcasters:
Online: SSN Canada

#7 McMaster Marauders (1-1) at #10 Windsor Lancers (2-0) [7:00 PM]

Here’s a legitimately interesting battle for so many reasons. First, we have two top ten ranked teams doing battle. You can question both teams’ claims to their ranking after Mac’s destruction at the hands of Western and the fact that Windsor is Windsor. The fact remains that we have a Marauders team that was expected to contend for the Yates Cup and a Windsor team that was expected to be in the bottom four and both teams are defying the expectations. To make matters more interesting, Mac QB Kyle Quinlan was suspended after being charged with one count of assault and two counts of assaulting a police officer on Wednesday night / Thursday morning. Now Mac is without their top gun. If the Lancers can pounce on the freshly wounded Marauders, they could all but clinch a playoff spot and start the year 3-0. Who but the most delusional Lancers fan would have thought that was possible.

Pregame Coverage:
McMaster football player suspended (McMaster Daily News)
QB Kennedy Leads Lancers To Victory (Windsor Star)

Broadcasters:
TV: TV Cogeco 11 (Windsor)
Radio: CHML 900 AM (Hamilton), CJAM 99.1 FM (Windsor)

OUA Standings

1. Western Mustangs (2-0)
2. Ottawa Gee-Gees (2-0)
3. Windsor Lancers (2-0)
4. Laurier Golden Hawks (1-1)
5. Guelph Gryphons (1-1)
6. McMaster Marauders (1-1)
7. Toronto Varsity Blues (1-1)
8. Queen’s Gaels (0-2)
9. York Lions (0-2)
10. Waterloo Warriors (0-2)

CIS Football Rankings

1. Laval Rouge et Or
2. Western Mustangs
3. Calgary Dinos
4. Saskatchewan Huskies
5. Sherbrooke Vert et Or
6. Montreal Carabins
7. McMaster Marauders
8. Saint Mary’s Huskies
9. Ottawa Gee-Gees
10. Windsor Lancers