OUA Announces 2014 Football Playoff Scenarios

HAMILTON, Ont. – Ontario University Athletics (OUA) has determined the possible football playoff scenarios depending on game outcomes this Saturday, Oct. 25.

Heading into the final week of the regular season, the York Lions (0-7), Waterloo Warriors (0-7), Toronto Varsity Blues (2-6) and Queen's Gaels (2-5) have been eliminated from playoff contention.

The top two positions have been claimed by CIS No. 3 ranked McMaster Marauders (7-0) and the No. 6 ranked Guelph Gryphons (6-1).  With their Week 1 34-27 (OT) win over Guelph, the Marauders have secured the first playoff seed and will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs.  Since their defeat to McMaster, Guelph has won six games in a row and will enter the playoffs as the second seed.

McMaster enters the final weekend with a perfect 7-0 record and will be looking to finish the season unbeaten when they travel to the nation's capital to take on a determined Ottawa Gee-Gees (4-3) squad looking to make the playoffs.  Guelph will also have their hands full this weekend as they are in Waterloo to take on the Laurier Golden Hawks (4-3) who currently sit in a three-way tie for fifth with the Carleton Ravens (4-3) and the aforementioned Gee-Gees.

Following a last second loss last week to the Gryphons, the defending Yates Cup champion No. 4 Western Mustangs (5-2) will have to have a short memory as they host the Windsor Lancers (5-2) in a battle for third place in OUA.  While the winner is guaranteed to host a quarter-final matchup, the loser might not be so fortunate.

Despite the outcome of Saturdays game, the Lancers and Mustangs are guaranteed to make the playoffs, however, either team can finish anywhere from third thru sixth place. 

Last season, the Golden Hawks found themselves on the outside looking in on the final weekend. But this season, Laurier is right in the thick of things as the regular season wraps up.  There are only two scenarios where Laurier wouldn't qualify for the postseason, both of which would require a Laurier loss combined with Ottawa and Carleton victories.

While Ottawa and Laurier will certainly have their hands full with the top two seeds in OUA this weekend, Carleton will face the previously eliminated Queen's Gaels.  Despite opening the season 0-5, the Gaels have won two straight games and stand in the way of a young Ravens squad looking to make OUA playoffs for the first time since rejoining the league last season.

Of the three remaining teams competing for two playoff spots, the Ottawa Gee-Gees have the most difficult path to the playoffs. Though it is mathematically possible for the Gee-Gees to make the playoffs, the squad must beat the undefeated Marauders and would still require some help from around the league.

For full playoff scenarios and the implications of this weekend's games, please see the file below.

2014 OUA Football Playoff Scenarios

OUA FOOTBALL PLAYOFF SCHEDULE

OUA Quarter-finals

Saturday, Nov.1
No. 6 @ Windsor/Western
No. 5 @ No. 4

OUA Semifinals

Saturday, Nov. 8
Lowest remaining seed @ McMaster
Highest remaining seed @ Guelph

Saturday, Nov. 15

107th Yates Cup, presented by Pioneer
OUA Semifinal Winners @ Highest Remaining Seed