A week after coming back from 17-0 down to beat No. 5 nationally ranked Saskatchewan at home, the 1-2 Bisons continue their home schedule against Alberta, as part of homecoming. History is in the favour of the Bisons during the annual game. They're 16-6 in the last 22 years as part of the event, and haven't lost at homecoming in 12 years. 

The Herd's two most recent wins at homecoming have been in thrilling fashion. Two seasons ago they out-lasted Regina 27-24 in 2OT, and last year they beat the Golden Bears on the final play of the game, with veteran defensive back Nick Conway batting down a two point convert attempt from the visitors to preserve a 24-23 victory.

It was the first of two wins on the final play over Alberta in 2024. The other came in a 26-point comeback victory, 38-37, where the Herd went for two instead of the tie, with quarterback Jackson Tachinski connecting with AK Gassama in the corner of the end zone to get the W. 

All-Canadian running back Breydon Stubbs rushed for a combined 177 yards in the two contests against Alberta in 2024, while scoring three times. His 23 career regular season rushing scores are tied for second in school history with 2007 Vanier Cup champion Matt Henry entering play. Stubbs is coming off his best rushing game of the season, racking up 107 yards on the ground, including 41 on a drive that set up the game-winning touchdown pass, and his 238 rushing yards on the year rank third in Canada West. 

Speaking of season bests, Bisons receiver Nathan Udoh went off for 158 yards on 12 catches and a score against the Huskies last week. His 12 catches tied a 27-year single game school record, while his 158 yards were a career high, and the major was the first of his U SPORTS career. His 20 grabs on the year are third in Canada West, while his 267 yards are fourth. 

Defensively, Manitoba held a lethal Huskies offence to just three points in the second half a week ago, led by weak side linebacker Nic Pereira, whose 19 solo tackles lead the conference. Jack Shaffer is also at the top of the conference, with four sacks, while the Herd's nine sacks are tied for the conference lead. 

Alberta enters a new era in 2025, with Stevenson Bone leading the way in his first year as head coach. The 0-3 Golden Bears will look to get in the win column on Saturday, and have plenty of weapons on both sides of the ball. 

Defensively their nine sacks are tied with Manitoba for the most, led by Matteo Trasolini's 2.5. Offensively, veteran deep threat Carter Kettlyle leads the conference, averaging 16.5 yards per catch, and he also leads the team in yards, with 198, while fellow veteran Eli Hetllinger leads Canada West with 957 passing yards.

No team throws the ball more than Alberta, with 113 attempts, while 14 different players have a catch, however their 58 total carries are second least in the conference.