McMaster QB Marshall Ferguson (from left), his coach Stefan Ptaszek and Montreal coach Danny Maciocia and star middle linebacker Byron Archambault will match wits on the 50th TELUS Vanier Cup on Saturday (The Canadian Press)

This is the Montreal Carabins' Vanier Cup to lose.

With recent alumni such as Carolina Panthers offensive tackle David Foucault and Ottawa Redblacks outside linebacker Antoine Pruneau finding a foothold at the next level, there is little doubt that the U de M has come of age. The Carabins might be a couple of long passes from narrowing the gap with mighty Laval, but as the perennial foil, coach Danny Maciocia's team has refined some of the best talent from a province that is "the Texas of Canadian high school football."

Montreal, which incidentally is not having a walk-through at Molson Stadium on Friday (official reason: snow) and is practising at its campus as it has all week, should be formidable. All-Canadian middle linebacker Byron Archambault, a runner-up for CIS defensive player, is a seek-and-destroy sort who can shut down running games. The Carabins might not always be an air show, but all-Canadian slotback Mikhaïl Davidson can toast a defence, plus he's complemented by two other receiving threats, possession receiver Phillip Enchill and young Regis Cibeau.

The Marauders, who have an outstanding linebacker in Nick Shortill, the second-team choice behind Archambault, are back despite having been sporadic at best offensively in the post-season (well, really, all season). However, they are out of an OUA that has punched its weight against Quebec opponents in national playoffs. Queen's and McMaster, in 2009 and '11, got by Laval on the way to winning it all. In between, Western came within a field goal of knocking out the Rouge et Or in the 2010 semifinal. None of that has currency on Saturday (Sportsnet/Radio-Canada, 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT), but it shouldn't be forgotten. McMaster might have the ingredients for the recipe OUA teams have followed when they have succeeded against the big-brother conference.

Bring pressure, don't add coverage — Under defensive coordinator Greg Knox, Mac's forward wall has been devastating this season while being anchored by ends Mike Kashak and Mark Mackie. The entire unit had nine sacks in the Mitchell Bowl win over Mount Allison. Montreal has a formidable with an all-Canadian centre, Jean-Christophe Labrecque, but if the Marauders can get heat will only 4-5 rushers, it could make tough work for Montreal QB Gabriel Cousineau and his receivers.

Win the jump balls — Mac got through the OUA and Mount A with a M.O. of defying teams to test them deep. Davidson is a burner at 5-foot-8 and will test the Marauders' last line of defence of corners Joey Cupido and Steven Ventresca and safety Allan Dicks. Cousineau got into a groove in the national semifinal vs. Manitoba and was really only slowed by a couple of pinball interceptions. Only one of his three picks last week was really his fault.

Stretch the field east-west, not just north-south — Both the '09 Gaels and '11 Marauders were able to challenge Laval vertically and horizontally; both each enjoyed generational quarterbacking from Danny Brannagan and Kyle Quinlan.

Mac's fifth-year senior Marshall Ferguson has led only one touchdown drive in eight quarters, as Mac chose to play conservatively. However, the Carabins did allow (thanks to Scott Hastie for this nugget) more than 300 yards passing per game in their seven games vs. ranked opponents.

The conversation about Mac's offence would be different if they had completed a couple of home run balls to second-year receiver Daniel Vandervoort, who could be due for a big day.

Archambault is also considered a "box defender" in CFL scouts' eyes. McMaster, which loves to use shovel passes and speed sweeps, might want to try stretching Montreal east-west. That won't be easy vs. the Carabins; end Jean-Samuel Blanc is very quick as an edge defender.

Keep them guessing — Some sustained drives will be essential on a day that shapes to be a defensive battle; having to put the D's back in after a two-and-out could be taxing. This could be the greatest challenge for McMaster with first rushing option Chris Pezzetta out due to an injured left anterior cruciate ligament. Wayne Moore is a good change-up option, though.

Turnovers, not just a delicious treat — This is an obligatory mention, but McMaster will need some short fields in order to produce points.

Neate Sager is a writer for Yahoo! Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @neatebuzzthenet.