It's an all-out battle of the prairies. Saskatchewan Huskies (2-0) arrive in Winnipeg for a clash with their interprovincial rival, the Manitoba Bisons (0-2), in Week 4 of Canada West football.
The Huskies are coming off a dominating 51-14 win in their home opener last week over the UBC Thunderbirds; meanwhile, the Bisons will kick off their home opener on Saturday at Princess Auto Stadium in search of their first win of the season after a 15-14 loss to the Calgary Dinos.
Fresh off the Banjo Bowl last weekend, it's now time for the U SPORTS version.
Here is everything you need to know before these two teams duel it out in Canada's Gateway to the West.
Manitoba Bisons Team Overview
The Bisons starting the season 0-2 seemed almost impossible to any U SPORTS football fan in July. Nevertheless, that is where Manitoba and new head coach Stan Pierre find themselves heading into their home opener.
The offence that scored a Canada West-leading 251 points last season has shown little sign of repeating that feat in 2025. Through two weeks, they are ranked third-last in the country for points scored with 23.
A significant factor in the steep decline has been the struggles with the run game. Manitoba led the nation in rushing yards as a team with 2,041 last year.
This season, the Bisons rank 17th with 309. The Bisons relied heavily on the ground game to spark their offence in 2024. And when you consider they finished 19th in passing yards as a team that season and are in the bottom three in 2025, it's clear to see where the troubles are on offence.
Running back Breydon Stubbs recorded just 39 rushing yards on 13 attempts last week against the Dinos — a noticeable decrease from his 92-yard performance the week prior — and while he did punch in one touchdown, it was his quarterback who led the team in rushing yards.
Tachinski took off eight times and found 41 yards on the ground in Calgary, but even this was a strong drop off from what we've seen Tachinski do in the past. The dual-threat signal caller averaged 69 yards a game on the ground last season and struggled to replicate the same success he had in Week 1 at UBC, where he rushed for 61 yards on six attempts.
But if there is any silver lining to the season, it's that the Bisons have not played at home yet this season.
Manitoba only lost once at home last year. The sole loss came in the Hardy Cup semi-finals, where the Bisons lost a nailbiter 28-25 to the Regina Rams, who went on to win the Hardy Cup the following week.
Could playing in front of their hometown fans be what turns the tide in Manitoba's favour? We will have to see.
One player who will try their best to disrupt the Saskatchewan offence is defensive lineman Jack Shaffer.
The fifth-year pass rusher has been a game wrecker at the line of scrimmage with his three sacks (that are tied for the most in the country), 2.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble. But he isn't the only one on the Bisons' defensive line who is causing havoc for opposing quarterbacks. Fellow fifth-year Jordan Friesen has two sacks, 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble to his own name.
They are both significant reasons why Manitoba's defence is allowing the seventh-least yards per game in the country, with 349, and allowing the sixth-least points per game in the country, with 36. Expect them both to be big names to watch on the Bisons' defence.
Saskatchewan Huskies Team Overview
If there was one takeaway in Canada West last week, it was that the Huskies are the ones to beat in the conference — at least for now.
Taking down the Golden Bears in Week 1 in Edmonton and then dismantling the UBC Thunderbirds the following week, 51-14, leaves Saskatchewan as the clear top dog heading into Week 3.
The offence has been stellar with the three-headed monster of Anton Amundrud, Ryker Frank and Daniel Wiebe all off to hot starts.
Amundrud threw for 385 yards and four touchdowns in the win against UBC, while Frank recorded 163 yards of offence and Wiebe collected 190 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns — that pushes him into sole possession of fourth all-time for career receiving touchdowns in school history.
They are huge reasons why the Huskies' offence ranks third in the league for yards per game as a team with 499 and second in passing touchdowns with seven.
But Saskatchewan is not just winning games because they are playing very well on offence. Their defence has been a huge factor early this season.
Since the Huskies trailed 17-15 at halftime in Edmonton, Saskatchewan has allowed just 17 points through six quarters.
And someone who has been a surprise for the Huskies is the emergence of second-year linebacker Jacob Goldstone, who recorded five tackles, one sack and an interception in the win over UBC.
But he is just the start of where the Saskatchewan defence is the strongest. Linebacker Seth Hundeby has also stayed consistent as an anchor for the Huskies' defence this season.
Hundeby tallied 5.5 tackles and a pick-six against Alberta and recorded a second-team best 4.5 tackles against UBC.
Add on fourth-year defensive linemen Charlie Parks, who is tied for the sacks lead in the country with three, and it's clear why this Huskies defence is one of the best in the nation, allowing a fifth-best 34 points to this point.
Previous matchups and Players to watch
Saskatchewan came away with a 42-24 win the last time these two met on October 4 in Saskatoon, but Manitoba emerged victorious with a 37-24 victory the last time they played in Winnipeg — which also happened to be the Bisons' home opener.
The rivalry should bring out the best of both teams, and it means there should be no lack of big names who step up in the moment. Here are some players to keep an eye out for in this one.
Manitoba Bisons
- QB Jackson Tachinski
- RB Breydon Stubbs
- WR Nathan Udoh
- WR Braden Smith
- DL Jack Shaffer
- DL Jordan Friesen
Saskatchewan Huskies
- QB Anton Amundrud
- RB Ryker Frank
- WR Daniel Wiebe
- DL Charlie Parks
- LB Jacob Goldstone
- LB Seth Hundeby
Prediction
Manitoba shouldn't be counted out in this one because many of the pieces from last year's lethal offence still remain.
But it will be difficult for the Bisons to fix their struggles with the ground game against a Huskies defence that excels at stopping the run. If Manitoba comes out with a win, not only will it rejuvenate their season, but it will also mean they solved their problems in the backfield.
Saskatchewan will be a tough out. They played as perfectly as one can be in their win over UBC. If the dogs come out with another performance like that, it is hard to envision a way Manitoba comes out with the win.
But the Bisons' defence has limited opposing offences' chances to put up points. Can the Huskies' air-raid offence push past that and overwhelm Manitoba? If they want to stay undefeated, they will have to find a way to do just that.
Final Score Prediction: 31-17, Saskatchewan wins