Updated

UC Davis football is set to enter a new era in game schedule.

The Aggies are joining the Big Sky from the Great West Football Conference, which disbanded after the 2011 season.

Bob Biggs, who will retire following this 20th season as UC Davis' head coach, will watch his team kick off the campaign with three non-conference games. The Aggies will host Azusa Pacific in their opener on Sept. 1.

That will be followed by a trip to FBS member San Jose State on Sept. 8. The Aggies pulled a 14-13 upset at San Jose State in 2010.

UC Davis' final non-conference game will be at South Dakota State on Sept. 15.

The rest of the Aggies' season will be Big Sky games, starting at Cal Poly, their rival from the Great West which also is joining the Big Sky, on Sept. 22.

UC Davis' conference home games will be against Weber State (Sept. 29), Montana State (Oct. 6) on Homecoming, Portland State (Oct. 27) and Sacramento State (Nov. 17) in the 59th annual Causeway Classic. The Aggies hold a 41-18 advantage in that all-time series.

The Aggies also will travel to Big Sky foes Idaho State (Oct. 13), Northern Arizona (Oct. 20) and Eastern Washington (Nov. 10).

"Each week it will be fun for our fans to not only follow the results of our games, but also the results for the rest of the Big Sky Conference as each will have meaning in conference standings and playoff implications," Biggs said. "We have missed being in a strong conference affiliation with recognized opponents for decades and this opportunity will just add to the excitement of Aggie football."

2012 UC Davis Football Schedule

Sept. 1, Azusa Pacific

Sept. 8, at San Jose State

Sept. 15, at South Dakota State

Sept. 22, at Cal Poly*

Sept. 29, Weber State*

Oct. 6, Montana State* (Homecoming)

Oct. 13, at Idaho State*

Oct. 20, at Northern Arizona*

Oct. 27, Portland State*

Nov. 10, at Eastern Washington*

Nov. 17, Sacramento State*

* - Big Sky Conference game