Canada West football Conference head coaches can’t vote for their own team in the annual coaches poll. So, the defending Hardy Cup-champion Saskatchewan Huskies were the first choice of four of five rivals in this year’s voting, meaning the Dogs are favoured by the inside experts of repeating as Conference champs.
Saskatchewan also received a second place vote for 24 voting points, four more than the Manitoba Bisons, whom the Huskies nipped 10-9 Thursday night in a non-conference game at Griffiths Stadium. The regular-season starts next Friday with the Huskies in Calgary, who were ranked fourth in the coaches’ poll. Following is the news release from the Canada West Conference, including the poll results…..
FB: Saskatchewan favourites to repeat as champs in 2022
26 August 2022
CALGARY – The votes are in. Canada West football coaches have selected the Saskatchewan Huskies as the favourites for the 2022 season, which is only a week away.
In a close poll, the Huskies came out atop after capturing the Hardy Cup in commanding fashion last year. The team went 5-1 on the regular season before beating down the Manitoba Bisons 45-17 in the Cup final. The winningest school in CW football history will be looking to earn its 21st title this fall.
Their Hardy Cup foe, the Manitoba Bisons, finished second in the preseason poll, four points behind the Huskies. The Bisons are also coming off a strong season, having painted its players all over the defensive all-star roster. They’ll be hungry to avenge last year’s Hardy Cup loss and hoist the trophy for the first time since 2014.
British Columbia also fared well in the coaches’ poll, coming in third with 17 points. The team fell to Saskatchewan in last year’s Hardy Cup semi final, but have added several key pieces this season. The T-Birds’ squad also features the reigning CW Rookie of the Year at quarterback, who will look to guide them back atop West.
The wait is almost over. In one week, your favourites will look to take their first steps toward the Hardy Cup. On Friday, September 2, Calgary will welcome Saskatchewan at 5:30 p.m. MDT while the Regina Rams travel to Manitoba for a 7:00 p.m. CDT kick off. British Columbia and Alberta round out Week 1 action on the coast Saturday at 7:00 p.m. PDT.
2022 CW FB PRESEASON COACHES POLL
Team – Points (First-place votes)
- Saskatchewan Huskies – 24 (4)
- Manitoba Bisons – 20 (1)
- British Columbia Thunderbirds – 17 (1)
- Calgary Dinos – 11
- Alberta Golden Bears – 10
- Regina Rams – 8
