The University of Arizona opens up its season this coming Saturday at Grand Canyon University, and it will be an important opener for both squads.

GCU is now in a conference, having joined the Gold Coast in DIAA, and that's good news for the 'Lopes as they build their program. Arizona, meanwhile, is looking to bust out of the PAC Conference peloton and maybe challenge Cal at the top. That won't be easy, at all, and as the Wildcats enter their second season in DIA, they first have to produce the kinds of results that earn them an at-large spot in the DIA playoffs.

"We felt we made good progress as a young team this past year," said Arizona Head Coach Sean Duffy, whose Wildcats missed out on a DIA playoff spot in 2015. "With almost all of [last year's] players back in the fold, plus a strong recruiting class, we're looking forward to seeing what we can do. We accomplished all of our preseason goals in 15s with our junior varsity sides going undefeated, in 's with our player pool developing further in preparation for the CRC this June, and in the weight room, where we implemented a full strength-and-conditioning program for the first time since I've been here."

The Grand Canyon game starts a tough slate of matches that includes St. Mary's, LIndenwood, New Mexico, Notre Dame, Colorado, and the five PAC Rugby Conference opponents. If Arizona doesn't make the DIA playoffs (which will be based on rankings) it won't be because the schedule is too light.

"It's about using a tough slate of matches in January to battle-test our still young group and target a few key areas of the game that we think we can thrive at and some others we can improve," said Duffy. "With eight players in this past month's Junior All-American camp, and a few likely in the one coming up in January, it's an exciting time, but we'll have to handle possible absences should they be selected to represent the USA, something we fully support them on."

Duffy knows full well that not every college team releases players to the Junior All-Americans (or USA U20s), and Arizona will play some of those teams. 

"It's going to provide opportunities for other players in our program, ultimately building depth for what we hope will be a long and successful season," said Duffy. "Our youngsters will 100% be expected to compete this year, as our policy is if you're good enough, you're old enough. While some of these players are young, many of them have great experience with HS All-Americas, National Championships runs, Youth Olympics, and overseas competitions. Makes them a little more experienced from a pure rugby perspective."

Up front lock/No. 8 Cesar Davila and hooker Cam Hudson have played well in the preseason, while former HS and Junior All-American Tyler Sousley is injury free and playing well in the backline. Scrumhalf Jonah Eldridge had a solid fall and benefited from a summer playing 7s with The Olympic Club. And 7s breakout performer Dante Weeks is back for another go.

Former Fallbrook No. 8/hooker Steven Branham and former Westlake No. 8 Bobby Butchofsky headline a recruiting class of that also includes HS All Americans Jeremy Fleet, Ian Crilly, and Matt Rogers. All provide promise for the future. But the question is, how will the present go?

"In the CRC this past year, we were billed as a Cinderella team by making it to the Cup Semifinals," said Duffy. "We know we won't sneak up on teams this year in Sevens or Fifteens, and that's a new challenge for us that I'm looking forward to our guys taking on."

How it will all shake out remains, of course, to be seen. The Wildcats have to wade through 12 pre-playoff games that include seven ranked teams, with most being ranked in the top ten, if not the top five. They won't be able to take a week off, or fumble around testing ideas. They will have to hit the ground running.