Having already locked up first place in the OUA standings, the Mustangs head into their Homecoming game against the Ottawa Gee-Gees with the possibility of completing a perfect regular season.

It will have been two weeks since they defeated the Carleton Ravens at home to secure first place back on October 6. The purple and white's run defence played a huge role in shutting down the Ravens offence. Carleton running back Nathan Carter, who was leading the country in rushing yards per game, was held to 23 yards on nine carries while the Mustangs ran for nearly 400 yards and three touchdowns.

Western's defence will need to play well again against Ottawa who, despite ranking in the lower half of the OUA in points per game, have been averaging over 30 points in each of their last three games. They have scored at least 30 points in each of those games, consisting of two victories and a narrow loss to the Ravens in the Panda Game, after failing to eclipse the 30-point mark through their first four games.

Ottawa's offence has been aided by the recent play of quarterback Alex Lavric, who hadn't thrown a touchdown pass until his fourth game of the season. In the last three games, he has an 8-1 touchdown-to-interception ratio. Lavric and the passing offence pose an interesting threat to the Mustangs defence that, despite allowing the second fewest yards per game through the air in the OUA, rank second-to-last in interceptions this season with five.

The surging offence adds another dimension to the 5-2 Gee-Gees, who already featured a potent defence. Despite struggling of late, allowing 30 and 40 points in their last 2 games, they rank third in the OUA in points allowed per game, trailing only McMaster and Western. They have continued their ball-hawking ways as well, forcing seven turnovers in the last three games while registering an interception for the fifth straight game.

Ottawa features top talent at multiple levels in their defence. On the defensive line, Alain Pae ranks in the top 10 in the OUA in sacks. Behind him, three of their players rank in the top four in the OUA in interceptions (Jamie Harry, Jackson Bennett, Cody Cranston), with these players also ranking in the top 10 in pass breakups.

The styles featured by these top-three defenses are rather contrasting. Western's defenders rank in the lower half of the OUA in fumble recoveries, interceptions, and sacks, despite holding the opposition to the fewest rushing yards per game and yards overall as well as points per game. Meanwhile, the Gee-Gees rank near the middle of the pack in yards allowed but rank first in interceptions, second in total turnovers, and second in total tackles made.
 
Coach Marshall on the Gee-Gees

"They're a good football team. They lost a close one to Carleton but have played pretty sound football and have five wins right now. We're going to have to be at our best to be successful on Saturday."