The Zeitgeist List · Rivalries

Old Oil Can

Fresno State13-20San Diego State
National Program III#60 of 138–Regional Program I#80 of 138▲
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →
This year’s game — the live preview →
2 players crossed straight to the rival since 2021 — the turncoat ledger →

San Diego State leads the all-time series 20-13. They've met 33 times since 1969. San Diego State has won the last 3.

Current season

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

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
San Diego State
Transfer portal
+0
portal net points (weighted) · raw ledger: -2

Stature & the series, 1969–2026

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 timeFresno StateSan Diego Stateevery meeting (bar height = margin; dark: Fresno State won, gray: San Diego State won)198020002020

The identity war

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

San Diego State threw it more in 6 of 7 seasons, 2004–2010. Since 2011, Fresno State has led 16 of 16. Real exceptions: 2006.

more passmore runFresno StateSan Diego State2004200620082010201220142016201820202022202420262011Fresno State 2.5 ptsSan Diego State won 35-282006Fresno State 1.8 pts
Source team_season_stats (CFBD season totals) · pass rate = passAttempts ÷ (passAttempts + rushingAttempts)

San Diego State once won 5 in a row. The biggest win was San Diego State by 42 in 1970. The biggest crowd, 43,243, was in 2017.

The coaching duels

Darryl Rogers vs Don Coryell1-3
Tim DeRuyter vs Rocky Long3-1
J.R. Boone vs Claude Gilbert0-3
Jim Sweeney vs Ted Tollner1-2
Jeff Tedford vs Rocky Long2-1
Jim Sweeney vs Claude Gilbert1-1

The draft ledger

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

Draft picks
63-117
San Diego State leads
1st-rounders
5-10
Since
1967
First CFBD-carried draft class
Fresno StateSan Diego State
1960s2-12
1970s4-29
1980s6-17
1990s17-16
2000s19-18
2010s11-18
2020s4-7

Best picks, either side

2002David Carr Quarterback · Houston TexansRd 1, pick 1#1 overall
1994Marshall Faulk Running Back · Indianapolis ColtsRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
1994Trent Dilfer Quarterback · Tampa Bay BuccaneersRd 1, pick 6#6 overall
1972Willie Buchanon Defensive Back · Green Bay PackersRd 1, pick 7#7 overall
1998Kyle Turley Offensive Tackle · New Orleans SaintsRd 1, pick 7#7 overall
1968Haven Moses Wide Receiver · Buffalo BillsRd 1, pick 9#9 overall
2010Ryan Mathews Running Back · San Diego ChargersRd 1, pick 12#12 overall
1969Fred Dryer Defensive End · New York GiantsRd 1, pick 13#13 overall

Recent meetings

2026San Diego State26-23Fresno State — decided by 3
2025San Diego State23-0
2023San Diego State33-18Fresno State — Fresno State routed by 15
2022Fresno State32-28
2021Fresno State30-20
2019San Diego State17-7
2018Fresno State23-14
2017Fresno State27-3San Diego State — San Diego State routed by 24
2016San Diego State17-3
2015San Diego State21-7
2014Fresno State24-13
2013Fresno State35-28
2012Fresno State52-40
2011San Diego State35-28

Every meeting since 2018, play by play

Each line is Fresno State’s chance to win through that meeting. Fresno State is 1-2 in the meetings since 2018 that were still close in the fourth quarter. The loudest meeting for fans was 2025: firestorm. Fans of both teams were loud at once in 2025. The bracket marks where.

2026San Diego State 26-23Fresno State lost 23-26 at San Diego State. Chance to win started at 60%, low under 1%, high 73%.
2025San Diego State 23-0Fresno State lost 0-23 vs San Diego State. Chance to win started at 42%, low under 1%, high 57%.Firestorm
2023San Diego State 33-18Fresno State lost 18-33 at San Diego State. Chance to win started at 66%, low 1%, high 82%.
2022Fresno State 32-28Fresno State won 32-28 vs San Diego State. Chance to win started at 79%, low 2%, high better than 99%.
2019San Diego State 17-7Fresno State lost 7-17 at San Diego State. Chance to win started at 46%, low 2%, high 74%.
2018Fresno State 23-14Fresno State won 23-14 vs San Diego State. Chance to win started at 69%, low 42%, high 99%.
“Doesn’t matter pick 6 anyway”
A fan of another team
Read a quote from each meeting
  • 2025
    “Doesn’t matter pick 6 anyway”
    A fan of another team

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