Nine games are on the slate in D1A.

All have some kind of influence over the rankings, playoff positioning, or something like that.

Cal Poly vs UC Davis is key for Cal Poly to keep pace with Saint Mary's atop the California Conference and in the D1A championship playoff conversation.

SDSU vs Sac State, Santa Clara vs UCSB, and CSULB vs UCSC all have serious ramifications on placement in the conference and whether any of those teams could be in the D1A Challenge Cup.

Arizona at UCLA is a huge game every year. These teams are considered to be fairly close, generally, and this year's clash looks to be as tight as every. Arizona is coming off a victory over Trinity Western that DOR Sean Duffy called one of the more satisfying wins of the htea.

He said that because "that's a good side and this is a really good series for us. Our guys problem-solved, we had a plan, stuck to it, but then made adjustments and the finishers brought tremendous energy. It was a 23-man effort and everyone played a role. We look forward to traveling to Canada next year and with Trinity Western all the best with the rest of their season."

Colorado has a good chance to move up the rankings with a win over Utah, while Life hosts D1A hopeful (for next year) St. Thomas in a game that could be a good test for the Florida side as they shoot for a D1AA title.

Cal at Navy is, of course, a rematch of the 2023 D1A Final and a stern test for both. It's a long road trip for Cal while Navy hasn't played since November 16, a 43-28 win over BYU.

"We have been training well. We look great when going unopposed so we will see how we do under the immense pressure Cal will look to exert on us," said Navy DOR Gavin Hickie. "We hope we can pick up from our game against BYU—withstand our opponents’ pressure and exert our own. We are very excited to welcome Cal to Annapolis."

Cal and Navy have met since that 2023 D1A final (won by Navy 28-22). They played last March in Berkeley, with Cal coming away 47-24 winners. 

And finally, on Sunday, Central Washington visits Saint Mary's. This is another fixture that has become a very enjoyable rivalry. Last year in Ellensburg, Wash., Saint Mary's edged CWU 27-26.