The first round of the DIA playoffs is halfway done already, but two games remain, and both are compelling.

This weekend, Utah faces San Diego State, and this is a clash of two teams making a push to be taken very seriously on a national level. Utah has been playing a lot of rugby, putting out a mostly development squad into the West DIA conference, and then playing their 1sts in the PAC Rugby Conference. With the decision to choose the DIA over the Varsity Cup, Utah has committed to this playoff and expects to make a move.

Led by Scholz Award Finalist Chad Gough at hooker, the Utes secured a place in this playoff after hammering a very good Arizona team 53-3 in their conference finale. Gough, in fact, scored two tries in that game, as did lock Benard Jones. Levi Hunt, Josh Webber, Gabe Rufflin, Rob Muhelstein, and Tevita Malafu scored tries, as well. The Utes are finding their voice, and have done so while playing strong programs almost weekely.

"In many areas, the team is looking sharp," said Utah Coach Jon Law. "I'm happy with the progress we've made defensively as the season has drawn on. Our core skills have developed significantly and our fitness is in an acceptable zone. Our on-field leadership is solid and they boys have taken ownership of their roles, so there are a number of positives."

In the fall, Utah played, and lost to, Air Force, Colorado State, and Wyoming. They also beat Utah State. But for the most part, that was with a development playing group. The experience was crucial for their young players. So on to the second half of the season, where they beat Dixie State, lost to Saint Mary's (as did everyone else), lost to Cal, and then, beat UCLA, Utah Valley University, Utah State, and Arizona. Those four games (not counting a forfeit win over Arizona State and a 2nd-side loss to USC), yielded a points for-and-against of 221 to 44.

So now the Utes take on San Diego State. The Aztecs are a club side that has produced impressive results against everyone they've played. Fresh off a goodwill tour to Georgia, the Aztecs have shown they won't back down from anyone. This yar, their only losses have been to BYU and Saint Mary's. Both losses were somewhat lopsided, but SDSU still scored in both games. Meanwhile, they bat Cal Poly twice, Sacramento State, Arizona, UCSB, Santa Clara, and Army. Perhaps the most interesting measurement of where SDSU is could be in the Cal OPoly scores. In January, the Aztecs beat the Mustangs 13-8. Last week, they beat Cal Poly 41-14.

"Taking a look back at our schedule for the season, it's peppered with some top-level teams," said SDSU Coach Alex Lichtig. "Playing that type of competition consistently can definitely wear on a team, especially if you're not getting results, but I think in the long run it serves to strengthen the program overall. I think we've tried to take a page out of the Saint Mary's book in playing some of the best teams out there every week to push ourselves to strive for a higher level and let the results be what they will. We've been fortunate to pull out the result in some tight games as well which always helps. Playoffs however, are a different story."

Austin Switzer has been an effective playmaker for SD State, and Adahir Aguilera is sort of an X-factor in the front row. Center Harrison Barkham has been a try-scorer for them, too.

This will be an exciting matchup, and a tough one to pick.

"It'll be exciting for the guys to get to play a top-level program like Utah in a situation where you're battling for survival," said Lichtig. "I think anything can happen in a playoff match, but looking back on the experience our team has had and the brand of rugby we've grown into this season, I like our chances to make a run in playoffs."

"We certainly respect what San Diego State has done this year," said Law. "This should be an exciting match. This Utah team has a good deal of playoff rugby experience and knows that everything must be faster and cleaner."