EDMONTON — At the halfway point of the Canada West Football season, the Alberta Golden Bears are in a fight for a playoff spot and can’t afford to drop any points. It’s why this is one of the biggest weekends of the season as the Bears host the (10) UBC Thunderbirds at Foote Field on Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. (Watch LIVE on Shaw TV)
The schedule makers couldn’t have dreamed for this scenario.
This weekend’s game is the front end of a home-and-home series with the T-Birds.
A split and the Bears would be in a good spot to end their five-year playoff drought. Losing both games would put them in a bind, forcing them to have to win their final two games in order to get into the post season.
Only the top four teams advance to the Hardy Cup playoffs (which can be seen LIVE on Global TV).
After a promising 2-0 start to the season, the Bears have gone off the rails, dropping two straight games.
They were humiliated at McMahon Stadium, dropping an 80-18 decision to the Dinos, and followed that up with a 42-32 loss to Manitoba at Foote Field. Last week’s loss hurt the most, as the Bears blew a 17-point lead in the third quarter in their loss against the Bisons.
As for UBC, they come into the game looking to redeem themselves after a 45-29 loss to the Saskatchewan Huskies. They’ll be led by quarterback Michael O’Connor who has thrown for over 1,200 yards and seven touchdowns.
Both teams will be desperate to give their playoff hopes a boost and we could be in for one wild afternoon of football.
UBC will likely stick to their passing game as they have the worst rushing game in the conference. However, the Bears have the worst rush defence in the Canada West so UBC may get adventurous and see if they can take advantage.
Kick-off at 1 p.m. at Foote Field. You can watch the game LIVE on Canada West Football on Shaw TV on Shaw HD Channel 304 and Shaw TV.
DINOS – HUSKIES
The Saskatchewan Huskies are next in line to try and slow down the University of Calgary’s juggernaut offence. The number-one ranked Dinos (4-0) have outscored the opposition by a combined 96 points over the last two games, for a total of 152 points. The Dinos and Huskies play back-to-back games. They’ll meet in Saskatoon on Oct. 16, after the Thanksgiving bye week. Global Calgary’s Brendan Parker has a complete breakdown of the game.
RAMS – BISONS
It’s been a tough year for football fans in Regina. While the Riders are in the midst of one of their worst seasons in decades, the Rams are faring no better. In fact, they’re winless going into their week five encounter with the defending Hardy Cup Champion (6) Manitoba Bisons.
A loss would all but eliminate the Rams from post season contention and they will certainly have their hands full.
The Bisons are led by their rookie rusher Jamel Lyles who is the only player in the CIS with over 1,000 yards rushing. You can expect a big game from him at Investors Group Field.
With files from Brendan Parker, Global News
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