Every year in Canada, Labour Day spells a weekend of unforgettable football, students moving into their dorms and catching their first U SPORTS game, and the air turning cold for the first time all summer.
In 2025, it brought only two of those things, with just a few games proving to be tight — though, to its credit, those games were incredible.
A rare Thursday night game gave us a chance to see the "Canadian Cannon" Drew Viotto in Thunderbirds attire for the first time. UBC's defence might have been the biggest factor in their 21-9 win over the Manitoba Bisons though, shushing any doubters who were worried about some key departures.
On Friday, it wasn't just University of Calgary freshmen students who were taking in their first ever Canadian football game. Dinos quarterback David Jordan proved up to the task of three-down football, leading the way for a late comeback against Regina, closed off by a game-tying rouge off the foot of Vince Triumbari.
Unfortunately, the intrigue just about ended there for the weekend. Other than a spectacular battle between Waterloo and Toronto under the lights at Varsity Stadium on Saturday night, each game on Saturday was a blowout.
While it wasn’t always fun for viewers, it did bring clarity to the picture in Ontario and Quebec: York, Guelph, Windsor, and McGill all proved to be easier opponents than some had forecasted.
In the west, it provided anything BUT clarity — any of the six teams could realistically have a shot to the Hardy Cup come November.
In Quebec, we're still waiting for Friday, Sept. 19, a matchup under the lights at Percival Molson Stadium between the Carabins and Rouge et Or.
Out east, next Saturday gives the Justin Shibley-led SMU Huskies their first real hurdle — a date with last year's Loney Bowl champion Bishop's Gaiters.
For all those freshmen still settling into their dorms, next weekend’s slate isn’t one to miss: the Red and Blue Bowl between York and Toronto, Ottawa at Western, Guelph–Windsor, Laurier–Queen’s, SMU–Bishop's, or any of the Friday night action out west.
1. Laval Rouge et Or (-)
LAST YEAR: 11-1, Vanier Cup win
WEEK TWO: Saturday, 37-15 win vs. McGill
Laval sacked McGill quarterback Eloa Latendresse-Regimbald a staggering eight times during their 37-15 dispatching of the Redbirds in their home opener Saturday night.
Next week spells a date with Concordia (0-1), but the real game everyone is looking forward to is now less than two weeks away — a trip to what will be a well-attended game against the Carabins at CEPSUM in Montreal.
Arnaud Desjardins was impeccable, completing eight passes in a row to start the game and putting two touchdowns on the board for the Rouge et Or. The fifth-year will look to keep that momentum going in what will be his last chance to capture the Hec Crighton.
It's tough to surpass expectations with a pedigree like Arnaud Desjardins', but the fifth-year quarterback flirted with perfection in Saturday's win over McGill. — Andrew Wilimek, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief
2. Montreal Carabins (-)
LAST YEAR: 8-2, Dunsmore Cup loss
WEEK TWO: Saturday, 44-7 at Sherbrooke
The Carabins similarly left an unhappy crowd in Sherbrooke for the Vert et Or home opener, allowing just 185 yards of total offence while passing for 371 and rushing for 237.
Rookie of the Year frontrunner Pepe Gonzalez was sharp, completing 15-of-20 passes for 279 yards and three touchdowns before giving way to Rakim Canal-Charles, who was also nearly perfect in the fourth quarter.
There’s really no telling what will happen on Sept. 12 in Montreal — other than three hours of incredible football.
A free tip for whoever makes the RSEQ football schedule — it's a bit rude to book Montreal or Laval for anyone's home opener. — Andrew Wilimek, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief
3. Western Mustangs (-)
LAST YEAR: 9-2, Yates Cup loss
WEEK TWO: Sunday, 53-33 win vs. Guelph
Western's home opening win against Guelph was so hard to watch that even the Mustangs faithful were pouring out of Western Alumni Stadium at halftime.
It did, however, point to Western's status as being a notch above the second tier of the OUA. Can they cement that further with a similar win over the Gee-Gees next weekend?
For me, Western's ability to make big plays will keep them in any game this season. They have multiple offensive weapons that can create yards on any play. — Ryan O'Connor, OUA Writer
Western laid a beating on Guelph, racking up seven touchdowns. The non-throwing shoulder injury that Evan Hillock suffered in Week 1 seems to be behind him. The run game is looking dominant, with Dolby and Kelly both going for long touchdowns against the Gryphons. — Andrew Wilimek, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief
4. Laurier Golden Hawks (-)
LAST YEAR: 11-1, Vanier Cup loss
WEEK TWO: Saturday, 30-9 win vs. Windsor
Fans were hoping for a competitive game between Laurier and Windsor after a day of blowouts around the country, but the Golden Hawks defence showed up in a big way against a solid Windsor team who has finished over .500 each of the past two seasons.
Sacks from Matteo Laquintana, Joseph Edlington, and a pair from Marcus Tenney showcased a defensive line that made Lancers quarterback Nick Dimovski uncomfortable in the pocket.
Callum Wither gets another test next week, with a trip to Richardson Stadium to play the Queen's Golden Gaels.
The Golden Hawks’ 30-9 win over Windsor proved that they remain the class of Ontario. Callum Wither’s connection to Ryan Hughes was deadly as it accounted for two touchdowns plus the rushing game was churning. Props to Laurier defensive back Maliek Cote for securing his first career interception. — Nicolas Tazzeo, OUA Writer
I thought Windsor might challenge Laurier on Saturday. Instead, Laurier proved just how well-rounded they are, delivering outright dominance across offence, defence, and special teams. — Bryden O'Flaherty, Co-Founder & CEO
5. UBC Thunderbirds (7)
LAST YEAR: 5-4, Hardy Cup semifinal loss to Saskatchewan
WEEK TWO: Thursday, 21-9 win vs. Manitoba
The Thunderbirds rolled out both quarterbacks in their opener, with Drew Viotto tossing two touchdowns before leaving with cramps and Derek Engel adding another in relief.
UBC’s defence looked sharp, led by Deacon Sterna and grad transfer Kinsale Phillip, though the run game will need to contribute more heading into a huge matchup at Saskatchewan on Friday.
UBC’s defence proved why they’re my top team in the CanWest. They held Manitoba’s explosive offence (31 points per game in 2024) to just nine, shutting down the Bisons in the red zone with well-timed blitzes. That dominance makes the Thunderbirds the early favorites out West. — Bryden O'Flaherty, Co-Founder & CEO
The Thunderbirds on Thursday managed to keep a strong Manitoba offence at bay for more than half of the game - a testament to the efficiency of UBC's defense. — Maggie Hsu, Senior CanWest Writer
6. Saskatchewan Huskies (5)
LAST YEAR: 6-4, Hardy Cup loss
WEEK ONE: Friday, 29-20 win at Alberta
The Huskies opened their season with a back-and-forth win in Edmonton, leaning on senior running back Ryker Frank’s 155 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns to power past Alberta. Anton Amundrud threw for 245 yards and three scores, while the defence chipped in with a pick six from Seth Hundeby.
Despite penalties and sloppy execution at times, Scott Flory’s squad showed why they remain a Canada West contender heading into a massive home test against UBC on Friday.
Saskatchewan seems poised to dominate this year. If Week 1 told us anything, it's that the dogs will not go away easy — even if they are down in a game. I expect them to get better as the year goes on and the Week 1 win in Edmonton was just the beginning. — Geono Aloisio, CanWest Writer
7. Queen's Gaels (8)
LAST YEAR: 6-4, Yates Cup semifinal loss to Laurier
WEEK TWO: Saturday, 38-4 win @ McMaster
The Gaels extended their win streak over McMaster to nine games with a dominant 38-4 victory, fueled by a balanced ground attack that totaled 195 yards. Jared Chisari bounced back from Week 1 and led the way with 115 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, All-Canadian linebacker Justin Pace made key stops to stifle the Marauders’ offence. Queen’s now faces a bigger test next week against defending Yates Cup champions Laurier at Richardson Stadium.
Queen's start to the season has been an offensive explosion. They are a real threat to Western & Laurier come playoff time. — Ryan O'Connor, OUA Writer
8. Manitoba Bisons (5)
LAST YEAR: 7-2, Hardy Cup semifinal loss
WEEK TWO: Thursday, 21-9 loss @ UBC
Jackson Tachinski (17-of-25, 207 passing yards) moved the ball well, but the Bisons struggled to finish drives on Thursday. Kicker Maya Turner missed wide and hit the bar before nailing her third field goal attempt, while Tachinski threw two picks (though one was a prayer at the end of the game). This game was closer than the score looked, but Manitoba needs a strong performance against a young Calgary team next Friday in a big way.
I dropped Manitoba a number of spots as they really felt like the favourites heading into this season. It's early, but can't help but wonder what happened to that team that went 7-1 last year? — Maggie Hsu, Senior CanWest Writer
Manitoba really underwhelmed in Week 1. I was expecting a lot more from their offence than nine points. It's still only one game and not a reason to sound the alarm, but it was concerning to see how quickly things fell apart for the Bisons. This week against Calgary is a must win. — Geono Aloisio, CanWest Writer
Manitoba flashed both promise and flaws Thursday. Their defence allowed just seven second-half points to stay in it, but an inability to finish in the red zone or adjust to UBC’s blitzes raises doubts about their ability to execute in critical moments. — Bryden O'Flaherty, Co-Founder & CEO
9. Ottawa Gee-Gees (12)
LAST YEAR: 4-5, Yates Cup quarterfinal loss to Guelph
WEEK TWO: Saturday, 33-17 win vs. York
Ottawa's stellar defence pressured York quarterback Keagan Hall all game, and even contributed a touchdown, a blocked punt returned for a touchdown by Daniel Briere. The Gee-Gees have given fans reason to believe that the Lions are closer to a pretender than a contender, but will have to avoid the same fate themselves, heading into a challenging stretch with road games at Western and Guelph and a home matchup against Laurier.
The Gee-Gees looked much better in Week 2, especially defensively. They sacked Keagan Hall four times, and allowed just 148 yards passing to the former McMaster star. Josh Janssen is leading a talented offence into a challenging stretch — can the Gee-Gees really make their mark with a win against Western, Guelph, or Laurier? — Andrew Wilimek, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief
I wonder how Ottawa will do against Western. The two wins are impressive, but they need a win against a clear contender before I put them any higher on my poll. They have a tough stretch after Western in Guelph and Laurier. This will show if the Gee-Gees are for real. — Geono Aloisio, CanWest Writer
10. Regina Rams (11)
LAST YEAR: 5-6, Mitchell Bowl loss to Laval
WEEK TWO: Friday, 43-36 OT win @ Calgary
The Rams kicked off their Hardy Cup defence with a thrilling overtime victory over Calgary, highlighted by quarterback Noah Pelletier throwing for 358 yards and running back Marshall Erichsen rushing for 113 yards and a program record four touchdowns. Regina withstood a fourth-quarter Dinos surge, including a game-tying rouge, and ultimately won on a Ty Gorniak field goal in overtime.
11. Bishop's Gaiters (10)
LAST YEAR: 10-1, Uteck Bowl loss to Laurier
WEEK TWO: BYE
Next week, this ranking will truly be tested, as the Gaiters make a long roadtrip to Halifax to play the surging SMU Huskies. Will 2025 spell a continuation of their AUS dominance, or will Justin Shibley and Co. challenge them early?
It feels like a three-horse race in the AUS, but I only see room for one in the top 15. Bishop’s vs. Saint Mary’s next week will be the early litmus test to see who deserves that spot. — Bryden O'Flaherty, Co-Founder & CEO
12. Guelph Gryphons (9)
LAST YEAR: 7-3, Yates Cup semifinal loss
WEEK TWO: Sunday, 53-33 loss @ Western
Week 2 could not have gone any worse for the Gryphons. Starting quarterback Tristan Aboud was seen with his calf wrapped after leaving the game at halftime, while backup Marshall McCray also left due to injury in the blowout loss. How they respond to an 0-2 start will be crucial to their chances of a home playoff game.
I dropped Guelph a couple spots, although they had their moments against Western. It seemed they struggled to maintain consistency, and need their special teams to step up. — Ryan O'Connor, OUA Writer
Guelph, especially their special teams, looked off-kilter in Week 2's loss to Western. Both Tristan Aboud and Marshall McCray went down to injury in London. For a team that many saw as a challenger to the OUA's big dogs, Sunday was a return to earth. — Andrew Wilimek, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief
13. McGill Redbirds (-)
LAST YEAR: 3-6, Dunsmore Cup semifinal loss to Montreal
WEEK TWO: Saturday, 37-15 loss to Laval
The Redbirds struggled with their top wide receiver and running back out of the lineup against defending Vanier Cup champions Laval, falling behind 27-3 at halftime. Eloa Latendresse-Regimbald was pressured all night, taking eight sacks and completing just 12-of-33 passes, though he did run for over 100 yards. McGill now faces crosstown rivals Concordia in Week 3.
14. St. FX X-Men (-)
LAST YEAR: 5-4, Loney Bowl semifinal loss to SMU
WEEK TWO: Saturday, 35-0 win @ Acadia
The X-Men cruised past Acadia on the road, but the real test won’t come until Sept. 13 when they host defending Loney Bowl champions Bishop’s. Quarterback Silas Fagnan and wide receiver Zachary Houde have looked sharp early, and the team will look to see if their dominant start holds against a top-tier AUS opponent.
15. SMU Huskies (NR)
LAST YEAR: 4-5, Loney Bowl semifinal loss to St. FX
WEEK TWO: Saturday, 46-7 win @ Mount Allison
Quarterback Justin Shibley, a much-awaited offseason transfer from Carleton, has led a potent Huskies offence thus far, on Saturday throwing for 385 yards and two touchdowns in a dominant road win over Mount Allison. While the score was never in doubt, SMU now awaits a stiffer challenge in upcoming matchups with Bishop's and St. FX.
St. FX and Bishop's are showing that they are once again the top dogs in the AUS. Watch out for SMU though, they have also been good to start the year. The Bishop's–SMU game in Week 3 should be a great match up. — Scott Hutter, National Writer
Saint Mary’s has quietly won two straight games by a combined score of 78-14. They were against lesser competition, but this momentum that they have is nothing to pass over. Even though Bishop’s or St. FX has ruled the AUS since 2021, SMU’s start hints 2025 could be their year. — Nicolas Tazzeo, OUA Writer
On The Cusp
Calgary showed great resilience against Regina, sending the game to overtime. This is a very young roster, but if they can play the defending Hardy Cup champions that closely there's no telling what could happen. — Scott Hutter, National Writer
I included Calgary at 15 as from everything we've seen based on how young the team is and the turnover at QB, they managed to almost steal the game from a very experienced Rams team. If they can hone in on what could've been on Friday, they can challenge even the most experienced teams in CanWest to get them out of their game. — Maggie Hsu, Senior CanWest Writer
How did Waterloo vs. Toronto somehow manage to be the most entertaining OUA game? — Andrew Wilimek, Co-Founder & Editor-in-Chief
Alberta can go toe-to-toe in all three phases of the game: offence, defence, and special teams, but their issue, dating back to last year, is stringing it together for four quarters. If they finally solve that, they’ll be a true sleeper. — Bryden O'Flaherty, Co-Founder & CEO
CanWest is proving to not be an easy conference. As Calgary and Alberta challenged their opponents, it seems like it's going to be hard to predict any winners this season. — Maggie Hsu, Senior CanWest Writer
The field remained steady this week, no major upsets in my book. As we approach the heart of the U SPORTS season, the cream is beginning to rise to the top. — Scott Hutter, National Writer