I-35 rivalry Texas State (+3.5) vs UTSA (-3.5)

[209life]

How heated is this rivalry?

 

[jamesy2422]

i like texas state with the hook

 

[209life]

Good article I just found.

The stretch of Interstate 35 between San Marcos and San Antonio is only about 45 miles, but when it comes to football, the divide feels much larger. Texas State vs UTSA 2025 isn’t just another meeting in the I-35 Rivalry. On Saturday in the Alamodome, it doubles as a clash between two conferences charting very different futures.

Rivalry on the Rise​

The I-35 Rivalry is still young, but it has already taken on an edge. UTSA football has controlled the series, leading 5–1 all-time with a perfect 3–0 mark in the Alamodome. Texas State football finally broke through last season with a 49–10 blowout in San Marcos, turning heads and adding new urgency to this year’s rematch.


What started as a neighborhood grudge match has become a measuring stick. UTSA rose quickly under Jeff Traylor, stacking winning seasons and AAC titles. Texas State, under G.J. Kinne, has only recently found traction, but the Bobcats’ rise has been fast and loud.

Conference Crossroads​

That makes Saturday more than a rivalry game—it’s a conference showcase.

• Texas State is officially bound for the Pac-12 in 2026, joining Boise State, Fresno State, San Diego State, Utah State, and Colorado State in the league’s ambitious rebuild. For the Bobcats, every non-conference win now is part of the credibility campaign.
• UTSA football, by contrast, plays in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The Roadrunners have been one of the AAC’s best stories, and there’s even been speculation—though nothing firm—about UTSA exploring Pac-12 membership in the future.

That overlay raises the stakes. If Texas State wins, it’s not just a rivalry notch. It’s a shot of momentum for the new Pac-12 and a dent in the AAC’s standing. If UTSA wins, it reaffirms their place near the top of the Group of 5 hierarchy and cools off Texas State’s rapid rise.

Setting the Stage​

• Texas State (1–0) opened 2025 with a bang, racking up over 600 yards of offense in a rout of Eastern Michigan. The Bobcats looked explosive and confident, extending last year’s surge under Kinne.
• UTSA (0–1) faced Texas A&M in Week 1 and came up short, but showed fight on the ground with nearly 200 rushing yards. The Roadrunners are banged up on defense but rarely fold at home under Traylor.

For the new Pac-12, every non-conference matchup is a chance to prove its strength, and Texas State vs UTSA 2025 checks every box. It’s regional, it’s personal, and it pits Pac-12 vs AAC in a clean, head-to-head showcase.


If Texas State can march into San Antonio and beat UTSA, the message is clear: the Pac-12’s newcomers aren’t just joining the party—they’re ready to compete now. It would be a win for the Bobcats, a boost for their conference, and a subtle hit to the AAC’s credibility.


Even if it’s close, perception matters. A competitive fight on the road keeps the Bobcats’ narrative humming. But a win? That’s a headline for every Pac-12 fan to celebrate.

The Bottom Line​

This year’s Texas State vs UTSA 2025 showdown is about far more than bragging rights. It’s about credibility, conference reputation, and the future of the Pac-12.


If the Bobcats pull it off, they won’t just claim the I-35 Rivalry. They’ll carry a message for their new league: the Pac-12 isn’t waiting until 2026 to make noise—it’s already on the rise.

 

[Tanko]

Its a pretty heated rivalry. Students from each school have been busted "vandalizing" the other's University. They take it very seriously.

Best part about these games are the tailgates. Texas State is known as a big party school and the tailgates never fail to live up to that moniker. About 7 years ago, the wife and I attended this game and Budweiser had a tailgate area with free beer. Show your ID, get into the chain link fenced area, and got hammered before the game. It was a hell of a party.

 

[209life]

Its a pretty heated rivalry. Students from each school have been busted "vandalizing" the other's University. They take it very seriously.

Best part about these games are the tailgates. Texas State is known as a big party school and the tailgates never fail to live up to that moniker. About 7 years ago, the wife and I attended this game and Budweiser had a tailgate area with free beer. Show your ID, get into the chain link fenced area, and got hammered before the game. It was a hell of a party.

Hell ya thanks for the story. Glad PAC-12 got into the state of Texas.

 

[JDS]

Texas St. holds a special place in my gambling heart. Took them 4 times in my NCAAB 10 team open parlay for that 89K winner last year. Might take them on the points +3.5 -108.

 

[jjgold]

We’ll take a small play Texas state