Saturday will mark the 71st Causeway Classic, an annual football game between Big Sky Conference rivals UC Davis and Sacramento State.(Previous coverage in the video player above: UC Davis wins 2nd straight Causeway Classic against Sacramento State) This season, the stakes are high, with playoff hopes on the line for both teams. As if that wasn’t enough, Sacramento State’s imminent departure from the Big Sky in an effort to join the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) puts the future of the Causeway Classic matchup in Jeopardy.Here’s some things to know ahead of the latest installment of the football rivalry. History of the matchupUC Davis has won an overwhelming majority of their matchups against Sacramento State since the rivalry began in 1954, boasting 47-23 record in Causeway Classics. In recent years, the matchups have had playoff implications for one or both teams and the rivalry has been competitive. In 2018, the Aggies were able to secure a Big Sky Conference championship with a win against Sac State. The Hornets then claimed victory in three consecutive Causeway Classic games with wins in 2019, 2021 and 2022 (Sac State opted out of the 2020 football season due to the COVID-19 pandemic) en route to multiple playoff appearances and conference titles. But the Aggies were recently able to regain control with wins in 2023 and 2024. This season, both schools likely need a win to secure one of the 24 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff spots. UC Davis is ranked No. 14 in the FCS and is currently third in the Big Sky Conference (7-3 overall, 5-2 in conference games), but a win would certainly help them breathe easier. Sacramento state (7-4 overall, 5-2 in conference games) goes into Saturday’s game unranked and needs a win in Davis to even have a chance of making the FCS playoff bracket. Why this is likely the last Causeway Classic until at least 2027Sacramento State’s schedule is in flux for 2026 after a bid to join FBS as an independent was denied earlier this year by the NCAA. The Causeway Classic is usually the final game of the regular season for both Davis and Sac State and a battle for Big Sky Conference positioning. While they are still searching for opponents to fill their schedule, Sac State has already found teams to play in the early portion of next season, when non-conference games are played. Even with the Hornets in need of opponents, the Aggies are not likely to be one of them, as they will be playing Big Sky Conference teams after their first handful of games. How to watch the Causeway ClassicAll Aggie home games will be televised on My58 in the Sacramento market and surrounding areas. Saturday’s game begins at 1 p.m. You can watch our special postgame coverage after the conclusion of the game. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

Saturday will mark the 71st Causeway Classic, an annual football game between Big Sky Conference rivals UC Davis and Sacramento State.

(Previous coverage in the video player above: UC Davis wins 2nd straight Causeway Classic against Sacramento State)

This season, the stakes are high, with playoff hopes on the line for both teams. As if that wasn’t enough, Sacramento State’s imminent departure from the Big Sky in an effort to join the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) puts the future of the Causeway Classic matchup in Jeopardy.

Here’s some things to know ahead of the latest installment of the football rivalry.

History of the matchup

UC Davis has won an overwhelming majority of their matchups against Sacramento State since the rivalry began in 1954, boasting 47-23 record in Causeway Classics. In recent years, the matchups have had playoff implications for one or both teams and the rivalry has been competitive.

In 2018, the Aggies were able to secure a Big Sky Conference championship with a win against Sac State. The Hornets then claimed victory in three consecutive Causeway Classic games with wins in 2019, 2021 and 2022 (Sac State opted out of the 2020 football season due to the COVID-19 pandemic) en route to multiple playoff appearances and conference titles. But the Aggies were recently able to regain control with wins in 2023 and 2024.

This season, both schools likely need a win to secure one of the 24 Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) playoff spots.

UC Davis is ranked No. 14 in the FCS and is currently third in the Big Sky Conference (7-3 overall, 5-2 in conference games), but a win would certainly help them breathe easier. Sacramento state (7-4 overall, 5-2 in conference games) goes into Saturday’s game unranked and needs a win in Davis to even have a chance of making the FCS playoff bracket.

Why this is likely the last Causeway Classic until at least 2027

Sacramento State’s schedule is in flux for 2026 after a bid to join FBS as an independent was denied earlier this year by the NCAA. The Causeway Classic is usually the final game of the regular season for both Davis and Sac State and a battle for Big Sky Conference positioning.

While they are still searching for opponents to fill their schedule, Sac State has already found teams to play in the early portion of next season, when non-conference games are played.

Even with the Hornets in need of opponents, the Aggies are not likely to be one of them, as they will be playing Big Sky Conference teams after their first handful of games.

How to watch the Causeway Classic

All Aggie home games will be televised on My58 in the Sacramento market and surrounding areas.

Saturday’s game begins at 1 p.m. You can watch our special postgame coverage after the conclusion of the game.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter