The Zeitgeist List · Rivalries

Rio Grande Rivalry

New Mexico66-24-2New Mexico State
Regional Program IV#119 of 138–Regional Program VI#135 of 138–
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →
This year’s game — the live preview →

New Mexico leads the all-time series 66-24-2. They've met 92 times since 1931. New Mexico 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.

New Mexico
Win total
9.5
Vegas over/under
Transfer portal
+6
portal net points (weighted) · raw ledger: +7
New Mexico State
Transfer portal
-2
portal net points (weighted) · raw ledger: +12

Stature & the series, 1931–2026

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 timeNew MexicoNew Mexico Stateevery meeting (bar height = margin; dark: New Mexico won, gray: New Mexico State won)19401960198020002020

The identity war

New Mexico State was the more pass-heavy program — then New Mexico took it over.

New Mexico State threw it more in 16 of 17 seasons, 2004–2021. Since 2022, New Mexico has led 2 of 5. Real exceptions: 2009, 2022, 2025, 2026.

more passmore runNew MexicoNew Mexico State200420062008201020122014201620182021202320252022New Mexico State 3.3 ptsNew Mexico State won 21-92009New Mexico 21.7 ptsNew Mexico State won 20-172026New Mexico State 19.4 ptsNew Mexico won 42-18
Source team_season_stats (CFBD season totals) · pass rate = passAttempts ÷ (passAttempts + rushingAttempts)

New Mexico once won 18 in a row. The biggest win was New Mexico by 61 in 1948. The biggest crowd, 44,075, was in 2003.

The coaching duels

Bill Weeks vs Warren Woodson3-5
Rocky Long vs Tony Samuel4-3
Bob Davie vs Doug Martin5-2
Rudy Feldman vs Jim Wood3-1-1
Dennis Franchione vs Jim Hess4-1
Bill Mondt vs Jim Bradley3-1

The draft ledger

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

Draft picks
34-26
New Mexico leads
1st-rounders
2-0
Since
1967
First CFBD-carried draft class
New MexicoNew Mexico State
1960s1-5
1970s6-8
1980s6-4
1990s5-2
2000s12-2
2010s2-4
2020s2-1

Best picks, either side

2000Brian Urlacher Linebacker · Chicago BearsRd 1, pick 9#9 overall
1977Robin Cole Linebacker · Pittsburgh SteelersRd 1, pick 21#21 overall
1977Walt Williams Defensive Back · Detroit LionsRd 2, pick 14#42 overall
1975Jim Germany Running Back · St. Louis CardinalsRd 2, pick 20#46 overall
2006Ryan Cook Center · Minnesota VikingsRd 2, pick 19#51 overall
2007Quincy Black Linebacker · Tampa Bay BuccaneersRd 3, pick 4#68 overall
1971Sam Scarber Running Back · Dallas CowboysRd 3, pick 17#69 overall
1995David Sloan Tight End · Detroit LionsRd 3, pick 6#70 overall

Recent meetings

Gate premium

New Mexico1.85×its own average home crowd
2026New Mexico42-18
2025New Mexico38-20
2024New Mexico50-40
2023New Mexico State27-17New Mexico — New Mexico routed by 10
2022New Mexico State21-9New Mexico — New Mexico routed by 12
2021New Mexico34-25
2019New Mexico55-52
2018New Mexico42-25
2017New Mexico State30-28
2016New Mexico State32-31New Mexico — New Mexico favored by 11.5
2015New Mexico38-29
2014New Mexico38-35
2013New Mexico66-17
2012New Mexico27-14

Every meeting since 2018, play by play

Each line is New Mexico’s chance to win through that meeting.

2025New Mexico 38-20New Mexico won 38-20 vs New Mexico State. Chance to win started at 88%, low 59%, high better than 99%.
2024New Mexico 50-40New Mexico won 50-40 at New Mexico State. Chance to win started at 69%, low 62%, high 99%.
2023New Mexico State 27-17New Mexico lost 17-27 vs New Mexico State. Chance to win started at 54%, low 3%, high 75%.
2022New Mexico State 21-9New Mexico lost 9-21 at New Mexico State. Chance to win started at 67%, low under 1%, high 80%.
2019New Mexico 55-52New Mexico won 55-52 vs New Mexico State. Chance to win started at 56%, low 25%, high 98%.
2018New Mexico 42-25New Mexico won 42-25 at New Mexico State. Chance to win started at 56%, low 14%, high better than 99%.

This season’s plays, New Mexico and New Mexico State

Official highlights with our numbers, from the 9 plays on film when they met.

  1. Q1, 11:26 · New Mexico tiedScottre Humphrey runs 3 yards for a touchdownNew Mexico at New Mexico State, week 4Q1, 11:26 · New Mexico 7, New Mexico State 0New Mexico opened the scoringNew Mexico opened the scoringS.Humphrey rush middle for 3 yards gain to the NMSU00 touchdown, kick goodWatch from this play CBS Sports College Football
  2. Q1, 3:03 · New Mexico up 7Scottre Humphrey runs 1 yard for a touchdownNew Mexico at New Mexico State, week 4Q1, 3:03 · New Mexico 15, New Mexico State 3▲6%New Mexico’s chance to win, 89% to 95%▲6%New Mexico’s chance to win, 89% to 95%S.Humphrey rush middle for 1 yard gain to the NMSU00 touchdown, kick goodWatch from this play CBS Sports College Football
  3. Q2, 1:21 · New Mexico State down 11Austin Brawley intercepts Trey Hedden and returns it 11 yardsNew Mexico at New Mexico State, week 4Q2, 1:21 · New Mexico State 3, New Mexico 14▼3%New Mexico State’s chance to win, 8% to 5%▼3%New Mexico State’s chance to win, 8% to 5%T.Hedden pass intercepted by A.Brawley at UNM28 A.Brawley return 11 yards to the UNM39 (J.Thomas)Watch from this play CBS Sports College Football
  4. Q3, 13:34 · New Mexico State down 11Tavian Combs intercepts Trey HeddenNew Mexico at New Mexico State, week 4Q3, 13:34 · New Mexico State 3, New Mexico 14▼3%New Mexico State’s chance to win, 11% to 8%▼3%New Mexico State’s chance to win, 11% to 8%T.Hedden pass intercepted by T.Combs at UNM45, End Of PlayWatch from this play CBS Sports College Football
  5. Q3, 7:27 · New Mexico State down 12New Mexico State turns it overNew Mexico at New Mexico State, week 4Q3, 7:27 · New Mexico State 3, New Mexico 157New Mexico State’s turnover led to a touchdown7New Mexico State’s turnover led to a touchdownNew Mexico State’s turnover led to a touchdownT.Hedden sacked for loss of 1 yard to the NMSU17 (J.Mciver), fumble by T.Hedden recovered by UNM E.Brody at NMSU17, End Of PlayWatch from this play CBS Sports College Football
  6. Q3, 2:07 · New Mexico up 25Kiefer Sibley runs 3 yards for a touchdownNew Mexico at New Mexico State, week 4Q3, 2:07 · New Mexico 29, New Mexico State 329-3score after the play29-3score after the playK.Sibley rush middle for 3 yards gain to the NMSU00 touchdown, kick goodWatch from this play CBS Sports College Football

Meetings with their own story page

10 meetings in our archive, 2015 to 2025.