It's a battle of U SPORTS top ten teams at IG Field this weekend, as the No. 6 ranked Manitoba Bisons (2-0) host the No. 4 ranked Calgary Dinos (1-1) in a highly-anticipated showdown between two Canada West opponents.

Kick-off is set for 1 p.m. CDT and fans can watch the game live on Canada West TV presented by Co-op.

There'll be some extra juice for the home side in this one, as the Bisons finally get an opportunity for revenge after stewing on a Hardy Cup semifinal loss for the last 23 months.

The Dinos won that game back on November 2, 2019 by just a point — 47-46, on route to a Vanier Cup title — despite a furious fourth quarter comeback that saw Manitoba outscore Calgary 30-14 in just 15 minutes of play. At the end of the game, a potential game-winning two-point conversion pass from Bisons quarterback Des Catellier was just out of reach of receiver Trysten Dyce, allowing the Dinos a dramatic escape to the Hardy Cup final. The game was on ESPN's list of the best 100 college football games of 2019.

The Bisons come into this game with serious momentum as the only 2-0 team in Canada West and having improved from unranked to No. 8 to their current ranking in the U SPORTS top ten over the past three weeks. Before the Thanksgiving bye week, their most recent win came on the road against the Alberta Golden Bears, where first-year quarterback Jackson Tachinski impressed — throwing for 180 yards and three touchdowns, while leading the team in rushing average with 75 yards on ten attempts. The Vincent Massey Trojans product — who is also redshirting for the men's basketball team — is in for the rest of the campaign after a severe lower body injury to fifth-year pivot Des Catellier.

Manitoba has devastated opponents with their special teams. Fourth-year receiver Gavin Cobb was named the U SPORTS Special Teams Player of the Week on October 6, following a three-touchdown performance in Alberta that included a 91-yard punt return touchdown. The Bisons are second in U SPORTS in both kick return average (24.2 yards) and punt return average (12.5 yards), with Michael Ritchott, Marcel Arruda-Welch, and Cobb all over 11.5 yards per return through two games this season.

The Dinos, meanwhile, will be looking to clean up their play after a surprising 34-21 loss to the Regina Rams on October 2. The win was the first in Rams history against a national No. 1, as the Dinos threw three interceptions, gave up three sacks, and committed 94 yards worth of penalties to Regina's 45. Falling to No. 4 in the country, the defending national champions are sure to make limiting miscues their focus after getting 14 days to review the film.

After this game, the Bisons head out west to face the UBC Thunderbirds on Saturday, October 23. Kick-off for that game is at 3 p.m. CDT.

View the full game notes for this Week 3 matchup.

MATCHUP HEADLINES

• While they came oh-so-close in that Hardy Cup semifinal classic, the Bisons have had a difficult time closing the deal against Calgary since their last Hardy Cup in 2014. The Herd are 1-9 in their last ten games against the Dinos, with the win coming during the regular season in 2019 — a 43-29 victory at IG Field. Over the past 25 seasons, the Bisons have a record of 12-25 when taking on Calgary.

HOOFPRINTS: MANITOBA BISONS (2-0)

LAST WEEK: W 31-17, Oct. 1 at Alberta
NEXT WEEK: at UBC, Oct. 23 at 3 p.m. CDT

• Tribute to Scott: Before the game on Saturday, Bisons football will celebrate the life of receivers coach Scott Naujoks, who passed away in late September at just 29 years old. The team has also decided to wear Scott's initials on their helmets for the remainder of the 2021 season.
• Punting Game: It's not the most glamorous statistic, but Bisons kicker/punter Cole Sabourin has been another strong part of Manitoba's special teams. Of his 16 punts this season, four have been inside the opponent's 20-yard line, as he's averaged 41.6 yards per boot — good for sixth in U SPORTS.

HOOFPRINTS: CALGARY DINOS (1-1)

LAST WEEK: L 21-34, Oct. 2 at Regina
NEXT WEEK: vs. Alberta, Oct. 24 at 2 p.m. MT

• Aerial Attack: While they had their share of hiccups in Regina, there's no questioning the talent in Calgary's passing game — and their matchup with a solid Manitoba secondary will be one to watch on Saturday. Averaging 415.5 passing yards and 573.0 yards overall per game, the Dinos have the best offence in U SPORTS coming into this weekend.