The No. 9 seed Rhode Island Rams (11-2), CAA Football champions who advanced with a hard-fought 27-19 first-round win over Central Connecticut State on November 29 (Devin Farrell: 365 pass yards/2 TDs), travel to Davis, California, to battle the No. 8 seed UC Davis Aggies (8-3), Big Sky at-large selection riding a three-game win streak into their first home playoff game since 2019. At UC Davis Health Stadium, where the Aggies have posted a 4-1 home record and outscored opponents by 8.2 points per game, this CAA vs. Big Sky playoff tilt pits Rhode Island’s efficient passing attack (427.4 total YPG, 14th in FCS) against UC Davis’ resilient defense (414.6 YPG allowed, 103rd but top-50 in scoring at 29.5 PPG). The Rams, entering on a seven-game win streak with one FCS loss (to Villanova), boast a balanced offense led by Farrell’s arm, but they’ll face an Aggies squad featuring freshman phenom Caden Pinnick (313 pass/60 rush yards/4 total TDs in a recent win) and a suspect but opportunistic D that ranks 87th in points allowed. With no prior meetings and UC Davis seeking their deepest playoff run since 2018, expect a shootout tempered by CAA physicality—projected final: UC Davis 34-31, advancing behind Pinnick’s dual-threat magic and a late defensive stand forcing a Farrell turnover.
Venue, Date, and Time
Venue: UC Davis Health Stadium, 331 Aggie Dr, Davis, CA 95616. Capacity: 10,567 (FCS standard; expected sellout of 8,000+ for playoffs). This on-campus staple, opened in 2007 and renovated in 2018, features a vibrant student section and natural grass surface that favors UC Davis’ up-tempo style—home to four straight Aggies wins dating to October.
Kickoff: 10:00 PM ET (7:00 PM PT / 10:00 PM ET).
Broadcast: ESPN+ (national streaming), FloFootball (FCS exclusive), UC Davis Aggie Radio (local). Evening kickoff under the lights amps the West Coast vibe, with pre-game tailgates and band performances aligning with Big Sky playoff energy.
Weather Forecast
Davis-area weather on December 6, 2025, calls for mild, clear early-winter conditions, with highs around 62°F (17°C) and kickoff temps near 55°F (13°C)—above historical averages (average high 57°F, low 40°F). Expect sunny skies with a 10% chance of patchy fog (no precipitation), light winds (5-8 mph from the W), and low humidity (50-60%). The warmth supports a pass-friendly game on the grass, with no delays anticipated; light jackets for evening chill. (Forecast based on long-range models; check Weather.com for updates.)
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Home/Away/Neutral Split | CAA/Big Sky Standings | Key Stats (PPG / Opp PPG / Rush YPG Allowed) |
| Rhode Island Rams | 11-2 | 6-1 Home / 4-1 Away / 1-0 Neutral | 1st (8-0 CAA) | 31.7 / 19.2 / 133.3 |
| UC Davis Aggies | 8-3 | 4-1 Home / 4-2 Away / 0-0 Neutral | 3rd (6-2 Big Sky) | 31.2 / 29.5 / 142.5 |
Rhode Island ranks 14th in total offense (427.4 YPG) but 33rd in rush D, while UC Davis sits 16th in YPG (438.8) with a 103rd-ranked defense allowing 414.6 YPG—setting up a track meet.
Recent Team Forms
UC Davis’ late surge meets Rhode Island’s dominant close to the regular season.
Rams (7-0 in last 7): Rhode Island grinded a 27-19 playoff win over CCSU on November 29 (Farrell: 365 pass yards/2 TDs; Littleton Jr.: 148 rush yards/2 TDs), capping an eight-game streak that included a 38-10 rout of Hampton (November 22, CAA title) and 58-17 over Albany (November 16). Lone FCS loss: 24-21 to Villanova (October 26). Averaging 34.1 PPG with 427.4 YPG (14th FCS) in the heater, their D has held foes to 19.2 PPG—road form strong (4-1, +9.2 margin).
Aggies (4-1 in last 5): UC Davis rallied 34-27 over Cal Poly on November 29 (Pinnick: 313 pass/60 rush yards/4 total TDs), extending a streak after 45-24 over Northern Arizona (November 22) and 38-36 loss to Idaho State (November 15, snapping five-game win run). Earlier wins: 31-28 over Sacramento State (November 8). Averaging 32.6 PPG with 438.8 YPG (16th FCS), their D allows 29.5 PPG—home solid (4-1, +5.8 margin).
Conference vs. Conference
This CAA (Rhode Island) vs. Big Sky (UC Davis) playoff matchup contrasts CAA’s balanced, possession-based games (avg. 50.4 combined PPG, top-10 pass defenses) with Big Sky’s explosive, up-tempo shootouts (avg. 58.2 combined PPG, top-5 scoring offenses). Historically, Big Sky teams hold a 11-7 edge in FCS playoff meetings vs. CAA since 2000, with UC Davis 1-0 in such (2018 win over Northern Iowa). Rhode Island’s 1-0 in CAA playoffs (2025 first-round), but 0-1 vs. Big Sky (loss to Montana 2019). Expect a high total (proj. 60.5 points), favoring UC Davis’ home altitude in a West Coast vs. East Coast test.
Injury Report
Both squads enter healthy post-bye/first round; Rhode Island monitors depth. Updates as of December 5, 2025 (FCS official report).
| Team | Player | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Rams | Antwain Littleton Jr. (RB) | PROBABLE | Ankle (limited vs. CCSU; full practice Dec. 4, 85% chance). | Lead rusher (1,100 yards/10 TDs); rotation to backups if limited. |
| Rams | Several DBs (unnamed) | DAY-TO-DAY | Minor from Nov. 29 (per coach Carr); rest aided. | Secondary holds; Farrell sacked 1.2/gm. |
| Aggies | None listed | All available | Clean slate; Pinnick/Brooks lines full go. | Depth boost—D eyes 3rd straight under 30 pts. |
Aggies’ health edges; Rams’ tweaks test ground game.
Key Player Matchups
Pinnick’s dual-threat vs. Rhode Island’s secondary spotlights; these could swing momentum.
Devin Farrell (Rams QB) vs. UC Davis Secondary (Led by S Ethan Payne): Farrell’s arm (365 yards/2 TDs vs. CCSU) challenges Payne’s INTs (3); expect 280+ yards if protected—Farrell eyes 3 TDs vs. Aggies’ 87th-ranked pass D.
Antwain Littleton Jr. (Rams RB) vs. UC Davis Front (Anchored by LB Jackson Porter): Littleton’s burst (148 yards/2 TDs vs. CCSU) tests Porter’s tackles (78); duel projects 110 rush yards, but Aggies’ 142.5 RYPG allowed caps at 100.
Caden Pinnick (Aggies QB) vs. Rhode Island LB (Unnamed): Pinnick’s mobility (313 pass/60 rush/4 TDs vs. Cal Poly) exploits pressure; air battle favors UC Davis if scrambling (proj. 300+ total yards).
Dason Brooks (Aggies RB) vs. Rams DL: Brooks’ vision (219 yards/2 TDs vs. Idaho State) finds gaps; ground duel tips over if lanes open (proj. 120+ yards).
Aggies’ stars tilt offense.
Series History
No prior meetings—these programs from different conferences (CAA vs. Big Sky) have never crossed paths in regular season or playoffs. Broader trends: Big Sky holds 11-7 edge in FCS playoff games vs. CAA since 2000, with UC Davis 1-0 in such (2018 win over UNI). At UC Davis Health Stadium: Aggies 4-1 home in playoffs/non-con since 2018. Trends: Overs in 8/18 Big Sky-CAA tilts (avg. 56.2 points); UC Davis covers 5-3 ATS as home favorites >3 pts.
Betting Trends
UC Davis’ home edge and Pinnick’s surge draw sharp money, but Rhode Island’s streak tempts dogs. Public: 58% on Aggies spread (60% handle on Rams). Trends: UC Davis 6-1 ATS last 7 home; Rhode Island 5-2 ATS as underdogs >2 pts. Overs 6-2 in UC Davis’ last 8; Rams overs 5-3 road. Historical vs. similar: Big Sky home favorites 10-6 SU in playoffs vs. CAA (covers 8-8 ATS); Rhode Island 3-1 ATS last 4 as +2.5 dogs.
Historical Betting Results
No direct H2H, but in 18 Big Sky-CAA playoff meetings since 2000: Big Sky 11-7 SU (61.1%), 10-8 ATS (55.6%). Last 10: UC Davis kin 6-4 SU, avg. margin 7.8 points (covers 5-5 ATS). Rhode Island 1-0 ATS in CAA playoffs (as +3 dog vs. CCSU); Big Sky No. 8 seeds 11-9 SU in second round (covers 9-11 ATS since 2010).
Game Odds
Rhode Island Rams 60.5
UC Davis Aggies – 2.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
