It's conference championship Saturday in Canadian university football tomorrow, and the diehards at cisfootball.org have chipped in to tee up each of the four games. Presenting: the OUA Yates Cup final, featuring the Laurier Golden Hawks (7-2) at the Ottawa Gee-Gees (8-1), live at 1 p.m. ET on The Score.
Board regulars Chappy and Mike, aka Goldenhawkfan, took the time to share their thoughts.
When Ottawa has the ball:
Chappy: "I would give the edge to Ottawa on the O-line. What was a big problem area just 2-3 years ago has become a real strength for the Gee-Gees. Led by Frank Spera, Kevin Kelly, Naim El-Far and Peter Hogarth, this is possibly the best O-line in Canada. (A question for next year with all but Spera and tackle Kyle Kirkwood leaving, but this is this year). "
Both Chappy and Goldenhawkfan are giving Ottawa the edge at quarterback. GHF says Ottawa's Josh Sacobie hasn't lived up to expectations this season, but he's certainly done enough, as well as been far more consistent than (Laurier's) Jamie Partington who looks all-star calibre one week and mediocre the next."
Sacobie threw three picks last week against Queen's, and rookie running back Mike Donnelly -- who has all but stolen the starting job from Davie Mason -- lost two fumbles. Laurier has an opportunistic defence, and an athletic front seven with the likes of Jesse Alexander (the league's most valuable non-running back/non-QB), Yannick Carter and David Montoya.
Laurier's likely going to have to play a lot of different coverages against an Ottawa team which has a lot of depth at receiver, and you know what that can someone mean -- more potential for blown coverages. Chappy notes that the Hawks do have a rookie, Taurean Allen, in a major role in the secondary, and Ottawa may test him due to his inexperience (he's a converted wideout).
When Laurier has the ball:
Chappy: "Starting linemen Kyle Sanderson and Kyle Weston missed the regular season meeting with Ottawa in Week 2, so that could be a positive for the Hawks. In their first meeting Ottawa gave the Hawks fits, recording five sacks. None of it was the D-line, who was held in check (although DE Dan Kennedy got some good pressure), but blitzing linebackers and D-backs who will need to be picked up faster. Partington cannot hold on to the ball as long as he did the first time out. He needs to make a decision, run or throw it away rather than taking a big loss.
"A healthy line bodes well for opening up holes for Ryan Lynch, Brodie Legein, et al., to run. Despite the fact Ottawa gave up just 72 yards per game on the ground the Hawks were able to rack up 126 on just 23 carries for 5.5 a pop in the regular season matchup. If they can build with the run things will open up all over the place for the passing game."
Goldenhawkfan notes that Ottawa has a big edge in defensive secondary: "A good group for the Gee-Gees that caused a lot of havoc for Partington the first time these teams met, and this is also the weakest link in the Laurier D at the moment."
What really makes Ottawa's D work is that front seven, with the likes of Kennedy, Eric Chibuluzo, Tyler Dawe and linebacker Joe Barnes. How well Laurier can get some misdirection going against a defence that's disciplined and fast remains to be seen.
Special teams:
Goldenhawkfan gives Laurier a slight edge: "This unit has been coming together as of recent weeks with more and more big returns for Laurier, and while Chris Mamo has had a couple off games in his first season as full time kicker he remains a threat both punting the coffin corner and hitting anything up to 50-yard field goals."
Like Mamo, Ara Tchobanian does double duty for the Gee-Gees. Ottawa did give up a 30-yard-plus return to Queen's Rob Bagg last week, but generally covers kicks and punts well.
Last Yates Cup for each: Laurier is the 2-time defending champion; Ottawa, believe it or not, has won only one Yatews outright, in the paleolithic, pre-forward pass era, 1907; they shared it in 1975 and '76 when the old OUAA was split into East and West divisions for football. Their last title came in 2000, the last season of the Ontario-Quebec Intercollegiate Football Conference.
Environment Canada gameday forecast: Periods of rain, high 5C
The Call: Ottawa 28-20
Other championship games: Atlantic, Canada West, Quebec
Previous week's picks:
Weeks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, OUA first round & Semifinal Saturday
That's all for now. Send your thoughts to neatesager@yahoo.ca.
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2 comments:
FYI,#65 Kyle Kirkwood #65 O/T for the Gee Gees is only in his fourth year and is returning next year.He is a 4 year starter for Ottawa.
Thanks for the note. We'll update that right away.
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