The Zeitgeist List · Rivalries

Milk Can

Boise State18-10Fresno State
Power Program III#23 of 138–National Program III#60 of 138–
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →
This year’s game — the live preview →
1 player crossed straight to the rival since 2021 — the turncoat ledger →

Boise State leads the all-time series 18-10. They've met 28 times since 1977. Boise State once took 7 straight.

Current season

Vegas win totals and transfer-portal swing right now, plus what fans are actually saying — not history, this year.

Boise State
Win total
9.5
Vegas over/under
Transfer portal
-18
portal net points (weighted) · raw ledger: -36
What fans are saying · player performance
fans believe the offensive line is allowing too many sacks
I really hope we can see the O-line give him breathing room like this for the rest of the season
Verified verbatim
Fresno State
Transfer portal
+5
portal net points (weighted) · raw ledger: +11
What fans are saying · player performance
One fan believes Fresno State's defense has better players than the offense
Fresno state defense is coo they offense sucks their Qb dint want to play nomore 😂
Verified verbatim

Stature & the series, 1977–2026

Both programs’ standing over time, each line named at its end, with every meeting beneath — read down to see who was bigger and who won. (Stature is each program’s season-by-season standing on the Zeitgeist List, 1936–present — one score blending on-field performance, program achievement, and roster talent.)

program stature over timeBoise StateFresno Stateevery meeting (bar height = margin; dark: Boise State won, gray: Fresno State won)198020002020

The identity war

Boise State was the more pass-heavy program — then Fresno State took it over.

Boise State threw it more in 5 of 7 seasons, 2004–2010. Since 2011, Fresno State has led 14 of 16. Real exceptions: 2005, 2006, 2018, 2025.

more passmore runBoise StateFresno State2004200620082010201220142016201820202022202420262011Fresno State 1.3 ptsBoise State won 57-72006Fresno State 7.1 ptsBoise State won 45-212025Boise State 2.6 ptsFresno State won 30-7
Source team_season_stats (CFBD season totals) · pass rate = passAttempts ÷ (passAttempts + rushingAttempts)

The biggest win was Boise State by 51 in 2008. The biggest crowd, 43,086, was in 2026.

The coaching duels

Chris Petersen vs Pat Hill6-0
Dan Hawkins vs Pat Hill4-1
Bryan Harsin vs Jeff Tedford2-2
Chris Petersen vs Tim DeRuyter1-1
Bryan Harsin vs Tim DeRuyter2-0
Andy Avalos vs Jeff Tedford1-1

The draft ledger

Every NFL Draft pick either program has produced since the modern era began, decade by decade.

Draft picks
58-63
Fresno State leads
1st-rounders
6-5
Since
1967
First CFBD-carried draft class
Boise StateFresno State
1960s0-2
1970s4-4
1980s6-6
1990s2-17
2000s12-19
2010s23-11
2020s11-4

Best picks, either side

2002David Carr Quarterback · Houston TexansRd 1, pick 1#1 overall
2025Ashton Jeanty Running Back · Las Vegas RaidersRd 1, pick 6#6 overall
1994Trent Dilfer Quarterback · Tampa Bay BuccaneersRd 1, pick 6#6 overall
2008Ryan Clady Offensive Tackle · Denver BroncosRd 1, pick 12#12 overall
2010Ryan Mathews Running Back · San Diego ChargersRd 1, pick 12#12 overall
1990James Williams Defensive Back · Buffalo BillsRd 1, pick 16#16 overall
2018Leighton Vander Esch Inside Linebacker · Dallas CowboysRd 1, pick 19#19 overall
2012Shea McClellin Outside Linebacker · Chicago BearsRd 1, pick 19#19 overall

Recent meetings

2026Boise State38-31
2025Fresno State30-7Boise State — Boise State favored by 17.5
2023Fresno State37-30
2022Fresno State28-16Boise State — Boise State routed by 12
2022Boise State40-20
2021Boise State40-14Fresno State — Fresno State routed by 26
2018Fresno State19-16
2018Boise State24-17
2017Fresno State28-17
2017Boise State17-14
2014Boise State28-14
2014Boise State37-27
2013Fresno State41-40
2012Boise State20-10

Every meeting since 2018, play by play

Each line is Boise State’s chance to win through that meeting. Boise State is 1-1 in the meetings since 2018 that were still close in the fourth quarter.

2026Boise State 38-31Boise State won 38-31 at Fresno State. Chance to win started at 65%, low 43%, high better than 99%.Steady
2025Fresno State 30-7Boise State lost 7-30 vs Fresno State. Chance to win started at 91%, low under 1%, high 92%.Quiet
2023Fresno State 37-30Boise State lost 30-37 at Fresno State. Chance to win started at 45%, low 3%, high 48%.Steady
2022Fresno State 28-16Boise State lost 16-28 vs Fresno State. Chance to win started at 62%, low 1%, high 70%.Quiet
2022Boise State 40-20Boise State won 40-20 vs Fresno State. Chance to win started at 78%, low 58%, high better than 99%.Steady
2021Boise State 40-14Boise State won 40-14 at Fresno State. Chance to win started at 40%, low 29%, high better than 99%.
2018Fresno State 19-16Boise State lost 16-19 vs Fresno State. Chance to win started at 56%, low under 1%, high 72%.
2018Boise State 24-17Boise State won 24-17 vs Fresno State. Chance to win started at 54%, low 8%, high 95%.
Read a quote from each meeting
  • 2026
    “Guys WACball is on the menu”
    A Boise State fan
  • 2025
    “Are we having fun? I’m having fun!”
    A Fresno State fan

Meetings with their own story page

9 meetings in our archive, 2017 to 2025.