2025 OUA Playoff Race Scenarios
Photo Courtesy of Hailey Tripodi/Laurier Athletics
All you need to know about how the OUA playoff race as we enter the final week of the regular season with a ton of questions
What We Know So Far
Four teams — Wilfrid Laurier (7-0), Western (7-0), Queen’s (5-2), and Windsor (4-3) — have already locked in postseason berths, with the first three securing home playoff games. At the other end, Waterloo (2-6) and Toronto (1-6) have been officially eliminated.
The Battle for No. 1
Just like last year, the top spot in the OUA will come down to a Week 9 showdown between Laurier and Western. Both teams enter the final week undefeated, setting up a high-stakes Yates Cup rematch. The winner clinches the top seed and a first-round bye, while the loser will host a quarterfinal on October 25.
The Race for No. 3 & No. 4
Queen’s and Windsor — the current third and fourth seeds — will face each other in Week 9, with the winner locking in the No. 3 spot. A Windsor win would drop Queen’s to fourth, but a Lancers loss opens the door for multiple tiebreaker scenarios.
The .500 Chaos
If Windsor finishes 4-4, their final position will depend on the outcome of McMaster (3-4) vs Carleton (3-4).
If Carleton wins, both finish 4-4, and Windsor remains fourth via common opponents (Tiebreaker Step 5).
If McMaster wins, Windsor still holds fourth thanks to their Week 4 head-to-head victory.
The drama deepens if Ottawa (3-4) joins the mix with a win over Toronto.
Ottawa & Carleton (4-4) → Carleton claims fifth via Panda Game win.
Ottawa & McMaster (4-4) → McMaster takes fifth thanks to their Week 9 win over Carleton.
Ottawa, Windsor & Carleton (4-4) → Ottawa takes No. 4 (common opponents), Windsor fifth.
Ottawa, Windsor & McMaster (4-4) → McMaster fourth, Ottawa fifth, Windsor sixth.
Sorting the 3–5 Teams
The York–Guelph matchup will determine which team reaches three wins. The loser will be eliminated, but even the winner’s playoff hopes depend on other results.
If York wins:
York makes playoffs if McMaster beats Carleton (via Week 1 head-to-head).
If Carleton wins, York is out (Carleton’s Week 5 win).
If Guelph wins:
Guelph advances if Carleton finishes 3-5 (via Week 6 win).
McMaster’s Week 5 win over Guelph gives them the edge if both finish 3-5.
In three-way ties at 3-5:
The McMaster/Carleton winner takes the highest seed.
Ottawa follows at No. 7 due to their win over York, while the Lions are eliminated.
If Guelph joins at 3-5, they grab the No. 6 seed via common opponents, eliminating Ottawa.