Mitchell Bowl preview: Western Mustangs. Laval. Game of the year

The Mitchell Bowl is taking place in London at 3:07 p.m. on Saturday. Western is the defending Vanier Cup champions. Laval won the Vanie Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2014. The Rouge et Or haven't won it since 2018. They haven’t won a Cup since the previous three years. Their stadium held the past three Cup finals, but the host school only participated once. LAVA is bringing extra clothes for the game. If they lose, they know the gap could shrink to one. It's possible they could come back home this weekend. laval has won 10 Cup titles.

There is a proposal to create a six-team bowl system for university football. The top two seeds would get a bye to the Mitchell and Uteck Bowls. Two defeated finalists would remain in the mix. This way, there is better chance of the best teams in Canada meeting in Vanier Cup game more often. Western-Laval is well worth it.

Western Mustangs and Laval Rouge et Or meet in the U Sports national football semifinal game at 3:07 p.m. Saturday at Western Alumni Stadium.

Western's Keon Edwards has at least 100 yards in 10 straight games. Edouard Wanadi is doubtful due to a serious personal matter at home in Montreal. Keanu Yazbeck and Troy Thompson can smash through defenders. Laval's Alec Poirier is a powerful run stopper.

Laval quarterback Arnaud Desjardins averages 319 yards in the air per game and ex-Syracuse receiver Kevin Mital is a touchdown machine. Queen's tried to throw on first-year starting cornerback Jacob Saunders in Yates Cup and it backfired. Jackson Findlay is halfback who made some big plays against the Gaels. Daniel Valente, Jr., and Robert Panabaker are the Mustangs’ interception leaders.

The Mustangs have a dozen players from Quebec. Quebec produces some of Canada’s elite talent. The CEGEP program in Quebec is good. Western coach Greg Marshall likes the fact that Quebec players are often away from home.

Western Mustangs are playing with a lot of speed and ferocity. The Mustang offensive line is playing at an extremely high level. Laval is a team that can hang around late.

Desjardins threw 32 passes last week against Montreal. Western quarterback Evan Hillock completed 10 of his 14 attempts for 222 yards and three touchdowns. Hillocks is 18-0 since starting duties last year.

Mitchell Bowl preview: Western Mustangs vs. Laval.