CALGARY - The University of Calgary Dinos have the opportunity to clinch first place in Canada West for the fourth straight year Saturday as they host the UBC Thunderbirds on Enterprise Seniors' Day at McMahon Stadium.

Kickoff is 2 p.m. MT, live on CanadaWest.tv.

Prior to the game, the Dinos will recognize their six graduating seniors ahead of the final regular season home game of their careers, presented by Enterprise Rent-A-Car: linebackers Anton Bellot, Doctor Cassama, and Thomas Spoletini, defensive lineman Tyler Langlais, fullback Mac Sarro, and quarterback Eric Dzwilewski.

Thanks to their 52-37 win at Alberta last week, coupled with Saskatchewan's loss at Manitoba, the Dinos come into the game 5-1 and will clinch the pole position in the conference standings with a victory over UBC (2-4), a team they defeated 59-11 back in Week 2 this season. First place would ensure the Dinos would enjoy home field advantage through the 78th Hardy Cup on Nov. 15, beginning with a conference semi-final against the fourth-place team the weekend of Nov. 7-8.

While it's a key game for the Dinos, it's also a vital contest for the Thunderbirds as they battle for their playoff lives. UBC got a huge one-point win at home over Regina last week to keep Manitoba and Alberta in its sights as the stretch drive continues. A loss to Calgary would not necessarily eliminate the Thunderbirds from the postseason, pending other results in the conference, but UBC needs a win to maintain any control over its playoff destiny.

Here's a look at the two teams:

No. 2 Calgary Dinos (5-1)
Last week: defeated Alberta 52-37; next week: at Manitoba

The Dinos didn't have their best game of the season last Saturday at Foote Field in Edmonton, but quarterback Andrew Buckley may have had his as he led his squad to a 52-37 win over the Alberta Golden Bears. Buckley threw for more than 300 yards and two TDs while rushing for another 172 and three majors, accounting for almost 500 yards of total offence by himself to lead the Dinos to victory. Brett Blaszko picked up exactly 100 receiving yards to go with two touchdowns, extending his lead atop the conference to 10 receiving majors on the season.

Calgary's offence, as it has done all season, continued to roll against the Golden Bears, rushing for 431 yards and racking up 768 total yards. Thanks to the result, the Dinos are within two of their all-time record in touchdowns in a season (42, set in 2012) and less than 800 yards from the total offence record of 4,720 yards, also set in 2012 – with two games remaining in the season.

Defensively, though, the Dinos were susceptible to the pass, allowing Alberta to put up 37 points and giving up more than 400 yards to the Bears – a side of the ball that also nearly cost them in Week 4 against Manitoba. But with two games left to play, the Dinos will look to seal those holes and continue to improve as a defensive group.

The Dinos did lose the services of backup running Quentin Chown to a leg injury in the third quarter against Alberta. Chown was starting in place of Mercer Timmis, who could make his return to the lineup as early as Saturday against UBC.

Calgary wraps up the regular season next Saturday, Nov. 1 when they make their first visit to Investors Group Field in Winnipeg to take on the Manitoba Bisons.

UBC Thunderbirds (2-4)
Last week: defeated Regina 33-32. Next week: host Saskatchewan

A late punt single by Quinn van Gylswyk may have saved UBC's season as they squeaked out a 33-32 win over the Regina Rams last week in Vancouver to improve to 2-4 – and the Thunderbirds head to Calgary in need of a victory to maintain control over their playoff destiny.

Quarterback Carson Williams earned conference player-of-the-week honours thanks to his 256-yard, 3-TD performance passing and will look to continue his success. Meanwhile, the Dinos will also have to be wary of rookie returner Marcus Davis, who leads the conference with a 30.6-yard average on kickoff return and has the lone return TD in Canada West so far this season.

Notwithstanding their 59-11 home loss to Calgary in Week 2, UBC has been close in its previous three road losses, falling by 10 points at both Regina and Manitoba before a 6-point setback in Saskatoon before the bye week.

UBC hosts Saskatchewan to wrap up the regular season next week.

-UC-