Frankly
Speaking: Competitive Balance Coming to a Canada West Football
Game Near You
By
Greg Urbanoski
Last
weekend the perennial powerhouse University of Saskatchewan
Huskies fell to the Simon Fraser Clan while the University of
Manitoba Bison were shut out at home by the University of
British Columbia Thunderbirds.
Was
it a full moon? Perhaps a fiendish global conspiracy of
ingenious University of Regina Ram alumni? Or was it the rise
of a new competitive balance in Canada West football?
"We
knew going in this season that every week was going to be a
battle," said Rams Head Coach Frank McCrystal.
"We
would have been in the drivers seat had we looked after
business the first two weeks. None of the results surprises me,
there is a great deal of parity in Canada West no matter what
the team records are?"
McCrystal
said the competitive balance in Canada West could see a result
where a team could win four games and get into the playoffs.
For the Rams, who dropped their first two games of the year, it
is not impossible to get back into the playoff mix.
"We
need to eliminate errors if we are going to win," said
McCrystal.
"We
have to recognize that we need to play as close to error free
football as possible and keep away from playing catch up. There
is no tough part or easy part to the schedule, every team
brings something to the table."
McCrystal
said rule changes may have also contributed to the competitive
balance being seen through the league this season.
"For
the lack of a better word, the junior rule, is starting to
taking effect," said McCrystal. "We’re not seeing
the same number of 26-30 year olds, although there are still
some. They aren’t the same quality as those playing say five
to 10 years ago.
"The
new rule now says it can take seven years to complete five
years of eligibility, dating from a players high school
graduation year. This is a very effective way of closing up
some of the loopholes dealing with eligibility."
While
McCrystal feels the new rule will help enhance the competitive
balance of the league, he said it is up to the league to make
it work.
"Some
guys with eligibility could be challenged," noted
McCrystal. "But that’s for the administrators of the
league to pursue."
