Is this a must-win? Maybe, maybe not, but Arizona plays Utah this weekend in the PAC Rugby Conference, and this is a game that has significant DIA playoff ramifications.

Arizona has been playing the entire season with the idea that a 2nd-place finish in the PAC will get the Wildcats a spot in the DIA playoffs. This remains the case, however, with Utah's recent pullout of the Varsity Cup, now both teams are looking for a place in the DIAA playoffs.

So this weekend, Arizona plays Utah. Each needs to win to secure 2nd place, and an automatic place in the DIAA playoffs. But, the DIA rankings matter, too, and a good performance is needed by each team to ensure a good ranking.

So do they feel it's a must-win?

"I think excitement is the big word," said Arizona Head Coach Sean Duffy, whose team won their Parseghian Cup charity match over Notre Dame and have won three straight. "We have not beaten Utah in recent memory and we're hoping to obviously change that. Momentum is definitely at a good tilt on and off the field here in the program."

"We know Arizona has stockpiled talent over the past few years and they’ve become a team that can really run if you let them," said Utah Coach Jon Law. "They appear to be good ball handlers and have a bit of footwork in them, so our defensive communication and assignments will need to lock in. On attack I think our boys will need to play with patience and composure and look after possession."

"Our big thing and what will be crucial this week is we want to be consistent and we want to finish," said Arizona's Duffy. "We don't want to be those guys or that team that commits to something and then pulls out halfway through. We want to put in the work for 80 minutes and if it's meant to be it will happen."

It's still something of a rebuilding year for Utah. They have some talented veteran players (Chad Gough continues to be one of the best hookers in college rugby), and some younger players, as well. Law said everyone has been working.

"I credit our players’ full year dedication to the external, professional strength and conditioning coaching they’ve received from RFT," said Law. "This is a physically stronger Utah team than I’ve seen in several years. I think our deep three will have a lot to say about Saturday’s results.  We know Arizona presents a stiff test, so I think the team that executes their fundamentals better will come out on top."

Key for Utah may well be their tight five. They need to see their forwards front up. Arizona is known to be young, but they've performed well as a unit and have some crucial playoff experience.

"Almost all of our team was here last year for the D1A Quarterfinal at Utah where we led at half," said Duffy. "In our regular season match last year with Utah at home, we led at half. So learning to finish is the next step in our growth and we've done a much better job at that this year as our guys grow up. Some of them are starting to play like veterans so this will be a good litmus test of where we are."

Here are the PAC Conference standings. Cal has won the conference and will play in the Varsity Cup. UCLA will also be in the Varsity Cup. Below this is the standings without the games involving USC (this is because USC was a preliminary conference member and tams normally played their 2nd sides against the Trojans.)