When the football season started, it was the hope of every player, coach and fan that the team will bring home another Vanier Cup.
But looking at it right now, things really ain’t looking too bright for the ’Birds.
After the nail-biting 53-50 win against the University of Manitoba Bisons three weeks ago, the ’Birds lost two games on the road against the University of Saskatchewan Huskies and the University of Regina Rams. UBC now holds a 3–4 record and sits in the fifth place spot.
Their next game against the University of Calgary Dinos — the last game of their regular season — will be the football team’s last chance to push for a playoff appearance and the hard reality is it’s not going to be an easy one.
Calgary has topped the Canada West conference every season since 2011 and it is likely that they will do the same again this year. The Dinos are currently tied with the Regina Rams in their season record at 5-2, but Calgary leads by 30 in points for.
The Dinos kept a number of their star defensive players from last year and it has shown. The team allowed only 132 yards in the last seven games — the fewest of all Canada West teams. UBC quarterback Michael O’Connor might have broken Billy Greene’s previous passing record in the last game, but with the defence that he’ll have to face, it is going to be a challenge.
Another team that stands in the way of a playoff spot are the Bisons. UBC and Manitoba are tied in winning percentage, but the Bisons are ahead by 40 in points scored.
With that in mind, there are two things that the T-Birds must do in the next game — produce a high-scoring game and hope that Manitoba has a total meltdown against Regina. For O’Connor and his offensive line teammates, the pressure will be higher than ever before.
The ’Birds know all too well. There is literally no more room for mistakes.
With playoff chances on the line, the next game will either make or break the team. One wrong move and all hopes of going into the playoffs will go completely down the drain.
UBC will play the University of Calgary Dinos in Thunderbird Stadium on Saturday, October 29 at 5 p.m.