For the first time in six years, the Manitoba Bisons will enter the Canada West conference season ranked ahead of the Saskatchewan Huskies in the annual coaches poll. Manitoba was placed third, while the Huskies – ranked No. 9 in the U SPORTS Top Ten – placed fourth. 
 
And while these rankings have zero impact on what will happen on Saturday, it's a sign to those across the conference that the Herd are ready to make noise. 
 
It's easy to see why. 
 
The Bisons return 22 of 24 starters from last season, including starting quarterback Jackson Tachinski. One of four Bisons to earn an invite to the East-West Bowl (for the top draft-eligible prospects), Tachinski was the most efficient pivot during the showcase game, throwing for 152 yards, and scoring ten points over his first two drives, including a touchdown. 
 
Described by quarterbacks coach Cory Waldbauer as "the most athletic" quarterback that he's had the honour of coaching, the 6'4", 215-pound Tachinski threw for 1578 yards last season and was top five in the conference in rushing yards, with 481 and a conference-leading six majors.
 
Manitoba also returns all five starters on the offensive line, with 29-year head coach Brian Dobie describing the group as one of the best he's been around in his time at the helm.
 
In the backfield, Breydon Stubbs, Shakur Harris and Noah Anderson all return (combined 624 rushing yards, three majors), as do CFL Draft pick AK Gassama (reception in 24 straight games), De Shawn Le Jour (reception in all 21 games as a Bison) and Michael O'Shea, while Vaughan Lloyd (284 all-purpose yards) shifts to a starting receiver position after being a dual-threat running back a year ago. 
 
On defence, 11 starters are back as well, including corner Sebastien Reid, who's tied for the conference lead in interceptions each of the last two years. Meanwhile, CFL Draft picks Nick Thomas and Collin Kornelson will help anchor an experienced linebacking and defensive line core, respectively. 
 
Expect there to be plenty of fireworks on Saturday, as the Huskies – who've won six of the last seven meetings against the Bisons including last year's home opener – return starting pivot Anton Amundrud (2184 passing yards, 14 majors), as well as Ryker Frank (573 rushing yards, three scores)  in the backfield, and Rhett Vavra and Daniel Wiebe at receiver. 
 
Amundrud made a powerful statement in his first U SPORTS start against the Herd a year ago, throwing for 313 yards and four majors, as the Huskies came back from a 25-7 half time deficit to win 30-27 in a game that saw over 800 yards of total offence. 
 
Wiebe scored the game-winner with 7:25 to go for a Saskatchewan offence that can go throw for throw with anyone. 
 
Defensively, Saskatchewan's led by East-West Bowl selections Seth Hundeby and Lane Novak, who won a Canada Cup together in 2019 with Sask, and also represented Canada in the International Bowl. 
 
In a secondary that loves to play cover three zone, four starters return, with no player shorter than 5'10" and two above 6'1".