CW Football: Week 8 Headlines

Oct. 17, 2025 - It’s a sprint to the finish coming out of the Thanksgiving bye, with just two weeks left in the Canada West football regular season.

While Saskatchewan and Regina continue to set the pace at 5-1, the remaining four teams are locked in a fierce fight for the final two playoff spots.

For Manitoba (3-3), the math is simple: win and you’re in. A home victory over Calgary (2-4) on Saturday would clinch a postseason berth for the Bisons. The Dinos will be desperate to snap a three-game slide and should enter the matchup with confidence, having already defeated Manitoba earlier this season.

Out west, the UBC Thunderbirds (2-4) welcome Saskatchewan to Thunderbird Stadium. The Huskies can lock up home-field advantage for the semifinals with a win, while UBC will be desperate to keep its playoff hopes alive in their regular season home finale.

The Alberta Golden Bears (1-5) remain mathematically alive, but will need a home win over the Rams to stay in contention.

Here’s everything you need to know before what promises to be a dramatic Week 8.

No. 5 Saskatchewan Huskies (5-1) at UBC Thunderbirds (2-4)

Friday, Oct. 17 | 6 p.m. PDT at Thunderbird Stadium

How to watch:

Quick Overview: The Thunderbirds know a little home cooking against the nationally No. 5-ranked Saskatchewan Huskies could be just what the doctor ordered for their playoff push. UBC is looking to rebound after losing a heartbreaker in Winnipeg, where they clawed back from a 28-3 halftime deficit to take a fourth-quarter lead, only to see it slip away in the final minutes.

If the ‘Birds are to ground the Huskies this time around, their defence will need to contain Saskatchewan’s explosive quarterback Anton Amundrud. The Huskie pivot lit up the stat sheet in their Week 2 meeting, tossing four touchdowns, including two to Daniel Wiebe. Amundrud leads the nation with 328.2 passing yards per game.

Head-to-Head: The Huskies humbled the 'Birds 51-14 back in Week 2. While the score ended up lopsided, it was a tight 19-7 contest at halftime before the dogs broke out in the second half, outscoring UBC 32-7 to finish the contest.

Calgary Dinos (2-4) at Manitoba Bisons (3-3)

Sat, Oct. 18 | 1 p.m. CDT at Princess Auto Stadium

How to watch:

Quick Overview: The Bisons have been a completely different team within the friendly confines of Princess Auto Stadium so far this season, averaging 30 points-per-game at home versus just 10.3 on the road.

Calgary limited Manitoba to just 256 yards of total offence in their 15-14 victory over the Bisons back in Week 2, and will need a repeat performance to pick up a much needed win.

A Manitoba win guarantees a playoff berth, while a Calgary victory would pull them even with the Bisons in the standings.

Head-to-Head: Calgary picked up a crucial 15-14 win over Manitoba at McMahon Stadium back in Week 2, scoring all of their points in the second half. Breydon Stubbs scored on a five-yard run with 35 seconds left to pull Manitoba within one, but their two-point attempt failed.

No. 6 Regina Rams (5-1) at Alberta Golden Bears (1-5)

Sat, Oct. 18 | 2 p.m. MDT at Foote Field

How to watch:

Quick Overview: Looking to keep pace with the provincial rival Huskies, the Rams have secured their playoff spot and can now lock up home field advantage in the Hardy Cup semifinals with a win over the Golden Bears.

Despite their 1-5 record, the Bears have played solid football as of late and should not be taken lightly, especially at home. They showed well in a 31-24 defeat at conference leading Saskatchewan last weekend, hanging tough before giving up the game winning score in the final minute. Receiver Carter Kettyle has been sensational for Alberta, scoring two touchdowns last weekend, including an impressive 62 yard touchdown scamp.

Marshall Erichsen's MVP season for the Rams continued in a 18-12 win over the Dinos, as the running back finished with 26 rushes for a hard-fought 134 yards on the ground while also catching seven passes for 44 yards. He also recorded his ninth touchdown run of the year, putting him into a three-way tie in the school single-season record book along with Neal Hughes (2003) and Adrian Charles (2010).

Head-to-Head: The Rams blitzed the Bears 47-23 in a Week 2 rout. Erichsen and Christian Katende became the first University of Regina teammates to rush for 100 yards in the same game, as the Rams picked up a staggering 298 yards on the ground in the victory.

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