Saskatchewan Huskies overtake Queen’s in U Sports football rankings

Photo courtesy: Electric Umbrella/Huskie Athletics

The Saskatchewan Huskies have entered the top three in the U Sports rankings despite not playing a game last week.

The entire Canada West was on a bye for Thanksgiving weekend. Saskatchewan last played on October 3, when they defeated the UBC Thunderbirds by a score of 34-24. Quarterback Anton Amundrud threw for 307 yards and a touchdown, while Aulain Penner scored two majors on the ground and Javin Boynton added another.

The Huskies move up one spot to third because the Queen’s Gaels have dropped to fourth after suffering their first defeat of the season, 25-22 at the hands of the Windsor Lancers. It marked the first game for Queen’s without starting quarterback Alex Vrekeen, and backup Ashton St. Germain threw three interceptions.

The Lancers moved up one spot to sixth with the result, which came as quarterback Kareame Cotton threw for 284 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception, and rushed 10 times for 94 yards. The Guelph Gryphons also moved up from tenth to ninth place despite being on a bye.

The St. Mary’s Huskies and McGill Redbirds each dropped a spot while having the holiday weekend off. The Laval Rouge et Or, Montreal Carabins, Western Mustangs, and McMaster Marauders stood firm at their previous rankings.

The national rankings are made using a balance of media votes and ELO rankings, the latter of which are derived mathematically based on statistics and strength of schedule.

1) Laval — 200 points (100 media/100 ELO)

2) Montreal — 178 points (88 media/90 ELO)

3) Saskatchewan — 144 points (74 media/70 ELO)

4) Queen’s — 142 points (62 media/80 ELO)

5) Western — 115 points (65 media/50 ELO)

6) Windsor — 93 points (53 media/40 ELO)

7) Saint Mary’s — 89 points (29 media/60 ELO)

8) McMaster — 66 points (36 media/30 ELO)

9) Guelph — 30 points (10 media/20 ELO)

10) McGill — 26 points (16 media/10 ELO)

For a full recap of U Sports action this past week, click here.