1. As Big As It Gets
There haven't been many games in the history of the Causeway Classic with bigger implications than this one. UC Davis enters ranked in the top 15 of both the FCS coaches and media poll and owns a 7-3 overall record and a 5-2 mark in league games. Sacramento State is 7-4 overall and also 5-2 in the Big Sky. The winner will secure sole possession of third place in the conference standings which should be good enough to earn one of the 13 at-large berths to the FCS Playoffs. The loser will have to sweat out a selection show on Sunday morning to await its fate. At least one of the two teams has made the playoffs since 2018 but the only year both teams qualified came in 2021. The biggest game between teams likely came in 1988 and was not officially a Causeway Classic. After the Hornets defeated the Aggies, 31-28, in the regular season, the teams were matched up again in the NCAA Div. II Playoffs where Sacramento State won 35-14.
 
2. Until We Meet Again
The first meeting between Sacramento State and UC Davis came in 1954 where the Aggies won 14-0. The teams have played annually since that game but that streak appears to be in jeopardy. The Hornets will be departing the Big Sky Conference at the end of the 2025-26 year and, despite making every possible effort, have been unable to find an opening on the UC Davis schedule for a non-conference game next season.  
 
3. Record Watch
It would take a couple of giant efforts but two single-season school records could be on the line on Saturday. Sacramento State needs 338 rushing yards to top the mark of 3,163 yards which came in 13 total games in 2022. The Hornets have four games this season with over 300 rushing yards, including 397 at Weber State. On the other side of the ball, the team needs six sacks to match the regular season record of 43 which came in 2017. While the number is lofty, the team has posted at least six sacks in three games this year. One record that is more easily within reach in the school mark for rushing touchdowns in a season. Sacramento State has 35 touchdowns on the ground this season and needs one more to match the mark set in 2022.
 
4. Reset Redemption
Sacramento State entered this year with a new coaching staff and 71 new players. The acclimation process hasn't always been easy but the additions speak for themselves. Going into the Causeway Classic, the Hornets' leading passer (Cardell Williams), rusher (Rodney Hammond, Jr.), receiver (Ernest Campbell), tackler (Oscar Moore), scorer (Grant Meadors) and sacker (Dylan Hampsten) are all in their first year with the program. Taking it a step further, 98.5% of the team's total offensive yards and 60.2% of its tackles-for-loss  have come from players who were not with the team in 2024.
 
5. How To Follow The Action
Sacramento State fans can listen in on ESPN 1320 AM or stream on the Audacy App with Jason Ross, Steve McElroy and Danny Sullivan. The game will also be broadcast locally on KQCA My 58 and streamed on ESPN+ with Scott Marsh and Scott Gordon.