In pre-season rankings, the University of Regina Rams were ranked sixth among Canadian university football teams behind Laval, Western, McMaster, Calgary and Saskatchewan.
Last year, the Rams finished third in Canada West with a 5-3 record while the UBC Thunderbirds were mired in the basement with a 2-6 record. As far as returnees go, the ‘Birds have nine on offence and six on defence while the Rams have nine on offence and ten on defence. So I would expect the Rams to emerge victorious when the two teams clash at Mosaic Stadium tonight at 7 p.m.
Last Saturday night, the Rams scored a 15-7 win over the Manitoba Bisons in a pre-season game that saw the team use all 65 players that dressed. With four starting receivers not in uniform, starting QB Marc Mueller (pictured above) played the first half, going 9-18 for 79 yards with one interception.
Last year, the Rams had a pretty tough schedule, with home and home series against perennial powerhouses University of Saskatchewan Huskies and Calgary Dinosaurs. This year, they have a home and home with the Huskies again, but only plays the Dinos once (a home date at Mosaic Stadium on Sept. 16).
Barring a slew of injuries and general misfourtune, the Rams should be one of the top teams in Canada West come playoff time. With two games against the Rams this year, and one each against the Dinos and Huskies, the Thunderbirds will have their work cut out for them if they hope to qualify for the playoffs.
