Playoff picture will be clear after weekend games

There’s still a mystery to unwind as the University of Saskatchewan Huskies’ season — alternately running hot, cold, hot — shifts into its final scheduled game on Friday night.

The football Huskies know they’ve clinched a playoff spot heading into Friday’s home game with the Alberta Golden Bears. But they don’t know if they’ll experience the post-season on the road, or at home.

“We know if we lose on Friday night, we aren’t going to have a home playoff game,” says Huskies head coach Brian Towriss. “We’ve got to go about our business, and try to win Game 8 against Alberta — put our best effort forward, then sit back on Saturday and find out whether someone’s coming here, or whether we’re going to Calgary or Regina.”

The Huskies, 4-3, will clinch second place — and a home playoff game — if they beat Alberta, and UBC beats Calgary.

Any other scenario will push them onto the road when the postseason commences next Saturday.

Regina and Calgary top the conference with 5-2 records. Saskatchewan is next with its 4-3 mark, followed by UBC and Manitoba at 3-4. Alberta, 1-6, is the only conference team without a shot at a playoff berth.

The Huskies won their first two contests of the Canada West season, lost three in a row, then rebounded with a two-game win streak, including a 38-35 victory over Calgary last weekend.

“We’ve shown signs of being more consistent in the last three weeks, but it’s still a work in progress,” Towriss said. “We’ve benefitted from the fact we’ve had the same people on defence, for the most part, the last little while. And everybody knows the difference it’s made getting (previously injured all-Canadian receiver) Mitch Hillis back in our lineup. That’s no secret. We’re 4-0 with him, and 0-3 without him. He’s a big factor.”

Saskatchewan beat Alberta 29-17 in their only head-to-head meeting this season. The Golden Bears are coming off a wild 67-59 loss to Manitoba that went seven overtime sessions; Alberta receiver Tylor Henry caught a conference-record 19 balls in that loss, for 298 yards.

Win or lose, the Huskies start their playoff run next Saturday.