FRC – CIS Football Top 10 (#8): Ravens ranked for first time since 1996

OTTAWA (CIS) – Following another dominating performance, the University of Calgary Dinos are the top-ranked team in CIS football for the sixth consecutive week.

The Dinos (6-0) were once again a near-unanimous choice for No. 1 in the national media poll as they received all but three of the 30 first-place votes and 296 points from the Football Reporters of Canada panel. The remaining first-place nods went to the Western Mustangs (7-0 / 267 points), who move up one position to No. 2 after being ranked third in each of the first seven polls of the campaign.

Following in order in the new Top 10 are the third-ranked Montreal Carabins (4-2 / 231 points / up one position), No. 4 Laval Rouge et Or (5-1 / 214 / down two), No. 5 Sherbrooke Vert & Or (4-2 / 160 / no change), No. 6 McMaster Marauders (6-1 / 145 / no change), No. 7 Guelph Gryphons (6-1 / 119 / no change), No. 8 Manitoba Bisons (4-2 / 89 / no change), No. 9 UBC Thunderbirds (4-2 / 88 / no change), as well as the previously unranked Carleton Ravens (5-2 / 22).

It marks the first Top-10 appearance since 1996 for Carleton, which returned to CIS football in 2013 following a 14-year hiatus. During the 1996 season, the Ravens were ranked three times, including No. 8 (Sept. 23 poll), No. 10 (Sept. 30) and No. 9 (Oct. 7) nods.

The Dinos became the first team to clinch first place in their conference thanks to a convincing 44-15 road victory over Saskatchewan, which marked their fifth win by 29 points or more in six outings. The Canada West leaders host winless Regina (0-6) on Saturday before wrapping up league play at Alberta (2-4) on Halloween day.

For their part, the OUA-leading Mustangs dominated Ottawa 63-19 in London and visit No. 6 McMaster in their season finale on Saturday (1 p.m. on OUA.TV). With a CIS-best 448 points scored after seven contests, Western is threatening its own OUA single-season record of 458 set two years ago as well as the national mark of 481 established by Laval in 2003.

In the marquee matchup of the past weekend, reigning Vanier Cup champion Montreal handed Laval its first loss of the campaign, a thrilling 22-16 decision on home turf at CEPSUM Stadium. Despite the setback, the Rouge et Or are still in the driver's seat in the RSEQ as they get set to host No. 5 Sherbrooke on Sunday.

Other Week 8 results from Top-10 teams included McMaster 30, Laurier 21 (at Laurier); Guelph 41, Windsor 27 (at Guelph); Sherbrooke 45, McGill 10 (at Sherbrooke); Manitoba 49, Regina 46 (at Regina); UBC 54, Alberta 10 (at UBC).

In addition to Western-McMaster and Sherbrooke-Laval, this week's schedule features another Top-10 duel, on Saturday, when No. 7 Guelph visits No. 10 Carleton (1 p.m. on OUA.TV).

NOTES: The ArcelorMittal Dofasco Mitchell Bowl (RSEQ at OUA) and Uteck Bowl (Canada West at AUS) are set for Nov. 21 at 12:30 p.m. and 4 p.m. Eastern Time, respectively... The Vanier Cup, presented by Promutuel Assurance follows on Nov. 28 at 1 p.m. ET in Quebec City... For all the information on the 51st Vanier Cup (including tickets) visit vaniercup.com.

FRC – CIS FOOTBALL TOP 10 (#8)

Pts (1st place) Last week
1. Calgary (6-0) 296 (27) 1
2. Western (7-0) 267 (3) 3
3. Montreal (4-2) 231 4
4. Laval (5-1) 214 2
5. Sherbrooke (4-2) 160 5
6. McMaster (6-1) 145 6
7. Guelph (6-1) 119 7
8. Manitoba (4-2) 89 8
9. UBC (4-2) 88 9
10. Carleton (5-2) 22 NR

Other teams receiving votes: Queen's (13), Concordia (3), Saskatchewan (1).

WEEK 8 RESULTS

October 16
Calgary 44, Saskatchewan 15 (at Saskatchewan)

October 17
StFX 30, Saint Mary's 6 (at Saint Mary's)
Mount Allison 38, Acadia 21 (at Acadia)
Toronto 34, Waterloo 0 (at Waterloo)
Western 63, Ottawa 19 (at Western)
McMaster 30, Laurier 21 (at Laurier)
Queen's 33, York 32 (at York)
Guelph 41, Windsor 27 (at Guelph)
Montreal 22, Laval 16 (at Montreal)
Concordia 63, Bishop's 0 (at Concordia)
Sherbrooke 45, McGill 10 (at Sherbrooke)
Manitoba 49, Regina 46 (at Regina)
UBC 54, Alberta 10 (at UBC)

WEEK 9 SCHEDULE (all times local)

October 23
19:00 Alberta (2-4) at No. 8 Manitoba (4-2) (CanadaWest.TV)
19:00 No. 9 UBC (4-2) at Saskatchewan (2-4) (Shaw TV, Access & CanadaWest.TV)

October 24
13:00 Laurier (3-4) at Queen's (5-2) (TVCogeco & OUA.TV)
13:00 Waterloo (0-7) at Windsor (1-6) (TVCogeco & OUA.TV)
13:00 No. 7 Guelph (6-1) at No. 10 Carleton (5-2) (OUA.TV)
13:00 Toronto (3-4) at Ottawa (2-5) (OUA.TV)
13:00 No. 2 Western (7-0) at No. 6 McMaster (6-1) (TVCogeco & OUA.TV)
13:00 No. 3 Montreal (4-2) at Bishop's (1-5) (Gaiters TV)
13:00 Regina (0-6) at No. 1 Calgary (6-0) (CanadaWest.TV)
14:00 Acadia (3-3) at StFX (3-3) (Bell Aliant FibreOP TV1 & AUStv.ca)
14:00 Saint Mary's (0-6) at Mount Allison (4-2) (Bell Aliant FibreOP TV1 & AUStv.ca)
14:00 Concordia (3-3) at McGill (3-3) (TVA Sports & StretchTV)

October 25
13:00 No. 5 Sherbrooke (4-2) at No. 4 Laval (5-1)

About Football Reporters of Canada

Football Reporters of Canada (FRC) represents journalists and broadcasters in every region of the country covering CIS Football. Since 1958, Football Reporters of Canada has been an organization of media members who have covered the Canadian Football League, serving to select the league's outstanding players, coach-of-the-year and all-star teams through voting conducted by its members. In 2009, the FRC amalgamated with the University Football Reporters of Canada (UFRC) to give the organization greater scope in its affiliation with amateur and college football. FRC also works with the CFL and CIS to establish guidelines and working conditions for the men and women who report on the game. Selected members of FRC also help to choose builders, players and media members for induction into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame.

Source: CIS