Golden Bears hope to ride momentum into playoff push: Midseason Review
After a winless start to the season, the University of Alberta Golden Bears finally broke through in week five, and they’re hoping that momentum carries them into the playoff conversation.
James Maclennan The Bears sit at 1-4 heading into week six, last place in the Canada West standings with just two points. They are the only one-win team in the conference and one of only six in the country. For many fans, that record suggests the season is already over, but the Bears still have a path forward. A strong finish could put them back in the playoff picture.
Under first-year head coach Stevenson Bone, Alberta has shown recent progress on both sides of the ball. Last week’s performance suggested the team is starting to find its identity, a positive sign after a slow September.
The road ahead will not be easy. The University of British Columbia (UBC) Thunderbirds, University of Calgary Dinos, and University of Manitoba Bisons all sit just ahead with two wins each, meaning Alberta will likely need at least two victories in its final three games to stay alive.
Tough schedule ahead
The Bears’ remaining slate offers little margin for error. Alberta opens with a trip to face the University of Saskatchewan Huskies, a consensus top-five program nationally. They return home in week seven to host the University of Regina Rams, who sit at 4-1 with their only loss coming against Saskatchewan in a tight 22-20 game.
The season finale comes in Calgary against the Dinos, a team edged out Alberta in week three with a late game-winning drive. That result showed the Bears can compete with Calgary, but the Dinos will also be scrapping for a playoff spot, setting up what could be a pivotal showdown.
That leaves Alberta with a challenge: can they steal a win against either the Rams or the Huskies? A 3-5 record is the minimum to qualify for playoffs, meaning the Bears will certainly need to upset a top 10 nationally-ranked opponent to keep their season alive.
Hardy Cup history offers hope
If Alberta finds its way into the playoffs, history suggests anything can happen. Just last season, the Regina Rams slipped into the post-season with a 3-5 record before shocking the 7-1 Manitoba Bisons in the semifinal and then upsetting Saskatchewan to capture the 87th Hardy Cup.
The two-game playoff format in Canada West has a history of rewarding teams that peak late. For the Bears, the formula is simple: find two more wins, sneak into the bracket, and hope to string together two wins.
Playoffs may be a Hail Mary away, but after their first win of the season, the Golden Bears are finally gaining momentum away from the bottom of Canada West.
