What's At Stake in Every D1A Game This Weekend

02.20.2026College Men

BYU vs GCU January 24 2026. Photos J Dalton Photography.

Author: Alex Goff

Here's what we feel is at stake for each game this weekend in D1A Rugby.

Want to see what happened last week?

Illinois at Ohio State. With the recent news that Ohio State will be playing in the Midwest Conference next season, this is a tuneup for a run for something this spring. OSU had a relatively young lineup in the fall, and are recruiting and looking to bolster what will be a more experienced outfit next year. For both programs, then, this is about the fall.

UMW vs Lindenwood. This is a massive test for a Mary Washington team that knows it can play rugby and has played well in stretches, but didn't really get those victories until they beat St. Thomas at the CRAA Fall Classic. (Yes we know we said they lost to ASU in the Fall Classic in the video above ... sorry about that.) Anyway, the win vaults them maybe into the playoff conversation. Certainly a strong showing against Lindenwood would do that, also.

Lindenwood, which brings 2 sides to Tennessee and will play the Vols as well, are just fueling up for the launch in March.

Navy vs Mount St. Mary's. Navy is ranked #1 by GRR and could easily hold onto that ranking with a good showing against MSM. The Mount is in an excellent position for a playoff spot, and this is a good early testing ground to let the players know how tough that will be.

Navy vs Mary Washington 2025. Photo David Hughes.

Utah at Grand Canyon is a massive one for Utah. At least for GRR, and really for others voting in the rankings, Utah is still a bit on the outside looking in. This game, what with GCU's solid results of late, will go a long way toward people thinking they are playoff worthy.

Davenport vs McKendree is a Midwest Conference game in which either team can get some notice. Davenport is still in with a shout at 2nd, but truth be told everyone is chasing Lindenwood.

UCSB vs Santa Clara is an opportunity for Santa Clara, especially, to take another step forward. Depth and injuries might be an issue for the Broncos, but they have some athletes and play exciting open-field rugby. Win here and they're above .500 in the California Conference.

Dante Black is February 14 Player of the Week in D1A

Saint Mary's at Sacramento State will be a return to American collegiate action for the Gaels after their tour to New Zealand and a game against Life West. Sac State has had flashes, but he know Saint Mary's has some tougher opponents waiting. No disrespect to the Hornets, who will want to work hard to contain the Gaels' offense, but the fact is, if you don't contain them past 80 minutes, tries can come quickly.

UCLA at San Diego is a game that could decide who is the top team in the California Conference South. USD has moved up to D1A, and after a bit of a rocky start, have showed more of what they're capable of. Of course, Cal Poly, who plays UC Davis, is lurking.

Also in the South, UCSC plays Cal State Long Beach. CSULB is getting better and better. This is a game they need to win in order to target a better-than-.500 record.

St. Thomas vs Queens is a massive game for a St. Thomas team that has challenged themselves with some very tough travel games. Playing as an independent way down there in the bottom right corner of the country, the Bobcats haven't won a lot, but boy have they learned. They could win this one and vault themselves if they do.

And then the auld rivalry of BYU vs Cal. The Cougars showed us something in how they stuck to it against UCLA, and then put the game away.

Cal will not have felt that they put the game away clinically against Arizona. But they responded, as you'd expect, against Grand Canyon two days later. Penalties, penalties, penalties. Cal can defend (although they have been a bit leaky at times), but defending is a lot easier if you're not giving up lineouts in your own 22.

Still, a big win for Cal and are they #1?