As the kick-off to the 2018 season approaches, now is as good a time as any to take a look at some of the serious contenders for the Vanier Cup. As always, familiar names cluster around the top of the rankings, although every season throws up at least a couple of surprises. Let’s dive in and take a look at some of the brightest prospects for the upcoming season.
In any conversation about the best teams in the country, one name comes immediately to mind. Laval Rouge et Or came up short in last year’s Vanier Cup final, but have been installed as favorites to go on better this year by many people. It’s clear that most online sportsbooks have installed the Rouge et Or as strong favorites to come out on top in 2018. The Laval Rouge et Or have won more Vanier Cups – nine – than anybody else, proving to be a dominant force in the college game. The Quebec side will kick off their season with a visit to Sherbrooke in late August, a game they will be expected to dominate. Sterner challenges await down the line, with an October 7 clash at home to Montreal one which looks particularly enticing. Indeed, the outcome of that game may well prove an early indicator as to which team will go on to take the Dunsmore Cup in 2018.
For their part, the Montreal Carabins will hope to make a big impression on the league in 2018. Having won the Vanier Cup for the first and only time in their history in 2014, the Carabins will hope to step back up to the top table in 2018. Of course the Laval Rouge et Or remain an obstacle in their way every season, and this year will be no different. The two teams have met in the Dunsmore Cup every one of the past five years, with the Red and Gold winning the last two incarnations. The Carabins are ready to dish out some revenge this time around and will have no shortage of motivation to topple their rivals in the RSEQ.
Moving outside of the Quebec region, there are some other schools which will expect to be live contenders for the Vanier Cup this year. The Western Mustangs are second behind Laval in terms of the number of Vanier Cups they have won, with seven captured to date. The most recent of these was last year, of course, when they dominated against the Rouge et Or to take home the 53rd Vanier Cup. The Laurier Golden Hawks and Guelph Gryphons have proved to be their main divisional rivals in recent years, and these three will all challenge for the Yates Cup in 2018. Between 2007 and 2018 the Mustangs have posted an incredible regular season record of 68 – 11, making them one of the most impressive teams in North American college sports. Their next challenge will be to try to defend their Vanier Cup title, a defense which will begin on August 26th with a trip to Carleton.
The Calgary Dinos have won the Vanier Cup four times in their history, although the most recent triumph was as long ago as 1995. Their last two appearances in the Vanier Cup were in 2013 and 2016, but both times they were beaten by that familiar foe Laval. This is a team for whom another final appearance is overdue, and this time they have a real chance to go all the way. The Dinos are defending Hardy Cup champions, winning the title in breathless fashion by 44 points to 43 versus UBC. They will hope to build on that success in 2018 and challenge for the top prize this time around.
While the four teams listed above are the top contenders for the Vanier Cup in 2018, there are other schools which may yet come into the equation. The UBC Thunderbirds will be out to avenge that narrow defeat in the Hardy Cup, and may feel like they can take the extra step this year and add to their four Vanier Championships. Likewise the Acadia Axemen will hope to retain their AUS title and more in 2018. With kick off just a few months away, the new U Sports season looks set to replicate the thrills and high-octane action of last year, with plenty of programs believing that they can capture the top prize in 2018.
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