Canada West Conference approves plan for five-game football season

Photo courtesy: Josh Schaefer/Huskies Athletics/GetMyPhoto.ca

The Canada West Conference has voted to approve an amended schedule for the 2020 football season amid the coronavirus pandemic — if it occurs.

The regular season would consist of five games and the start date would either be the last weekend of September or first weekend of October. It depends whether a bye week is built in, which still has to be decided.

The shorter schedule is tied to COVID-19, but not solely. Budgets for member universities are going to be tighter even if there are games in the fall. The Can West playoffs would remain the same, two semifinal games and, of course, the Hardy Cup championship.

The University of Manitoba, University of Saskatchewan, University of Regina, University of Alberta, University of Calgary and University of British Columbia make up the six-team football conference. Calgary claimed the Canada West crown last year on the way to the Dinos hoisting the Vanier Cup for the first time since 1995.

Canadian universities typically play eight-game regular seasons and play down to a national championship. However, the coronavirus has forced the change and the Canada West wants its members to be able to adapt, prepare and plan.