CW Football: Week 5 Preview

Oct. 2, 2026 – The second half of the Canada West football season has arrived, and there’s plenty at stake before the conference heads into its Thanksgiving bye.

A battle for sole possession of first place headlines the Week 5 schedule, with the No. 7 UBC Thunderbirds travelling to Saskatoon to face the No. 5 Saskatchewan Huskies. Both teams have rattled off three straight wins after dropping their season openers, setting up a showdown between the conference’s two most productive offences.

Elsewhere, the Alberta Golden Bears look to build on their breakthrough win over Calgary when they host the Manitoba Bisons on Friday night. The Dinos, meanwhile, welcome the No. 10 Regina Rams to McMahon Stadium on Saturday, with both teams looking to bounce back from rivalry losses.

With just four regular season games remaining, every result carries huge weight in a tightly contested playoff race.

Here’s everything you need to know heading into Week 5.

Manitoba Bisons (2-2) at Alberta Golden Bears (1-3)

Friday, Oct. 2 | 6:30 p.m. MDT at Foote Field

Quick Overview: One big night has put the Golden Bears right back in the playoff conversation.

Alberta earned its first win of the season last Friday, taking down Calgary 42-35 behind a record-setting performance from Seth Poelzer. The running back piled up 312 rushing yards, establishing a new program record and recording the fifth-highest single-game total in Canada West history.

Now comes an opportunity to turn that momentum into a move up the standings. Sitting one game behind Manitoba, the Bears can potentially climb into a playoff position with a win at Foote Field.

The Bisons arrive looking for a response after a 31-6 home loss to UBC. Manitoba was held to 226 yards of offence, with all six of its points coming from conceded safeties.

Containing Poelzer will be a priority for the visitors, while getting their own offence back on track will prove just as important. Manitoba will also look to end its road drought, with the Bisons’ last win away from home coming at Alberta on Oct. 19, 2024.

No. 10 Regina Rams (2-2) at Calgary Dinos (1-3)

Saturday, Oct. 3 | 1 p.m. MDT at McMahon Stadium

How to watch:

Quick Overview: Two teams looking to put rivalry losses behind them meet Saturday afternoon at McMahon Stadium.

Calgary fell 42-35 to Alberta last week despite another productive outing from its passing attack. David Jordan completed 25 of 35 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns, both to fifth-year receiver Matt Sibley.

Sibley finished with nine catches for 155 yards and continues to lead Canada West with 558 receiving yards. He’ll be a key target as the Dinos look to snap a three-game slide and stay within reach of a playoff spot.

Regina enters after a 38-31 loss to Saskatchewan at Mosaic Stadium. The Rams were level with the Huskies at halftime before three unanswered Saskatchewan touchdowns in the third quarter left them chasing the game. A late comeback bid brought Regina within striking distance, but the Rams couldn’t complete the rally.

Recent history favours the visitors, who won both meetings last season, including a 43-36 overtime decision at McMahon Stadium.

Saturday also marks Calgary’s All Cultures, One Game event, with a free Community Showcase outside the stadium before kickoff welcoming fans and newcomer communities.

No. 7 UBC Thunderbirds (3-1) at No. 5 Saskatchewan Huskies (3-1)

Saturday, Oct. 3 | 7 p.m. CST at Griffiths Stadium

How to watch:

Quick Overview: With a pair of win streaks on the line, something has to give in Saskatoon.

UBC and Saskatchewan enter riding matching three-game winning streaks, with the winner set to take sole possession of first place heading into the Thanksgiving break.

The matchup offers a compelling test of UBC’s conference-leading defence against Saskatchewan’s high-powered offence. The Thunderbirds are allowing just 17 points and 341.8 yards per game, while the Huskies lead Canada West in both scoring and total offence.

UBC’s defence delivered its strongest performance yet in last week’s 31-6 win over Manitoba, keeping the Bisons offence off the scoreboard. Slowing Saskatchewan quarterback Anton Amundrud will present a different challenge. The fifth-year pivot has thrown for 1,248 yards and 11 touchdowns, with rookie receiver Keaton Belsher emerging as a favourite target.

The Huskies will have their own standout rookie to contend with. UBC running back Marvyn Larozar has rushed for 587 yards and scored eight total touchdowns, providing a dangerous ground threat behind an offensive line that has allowed just one sack through four games.

Saskatchewan has held the upper hand in recent meetings, ending UBC’s season in the Hardy Cup semifinals each of the past two years. The Thunderbirds haven’t won in Saskatoon since 2017, adding another challenge as they look to take over top spot.

The game caps off the second annual Football Day in Saskatoon, with a full day of community football activities leading into the Top 10 showdown.

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