If you’ve spent any time at a tailgate in Denton or San Marcos, you know the vibe. It isn't just about the point spread. It’s about the humidity, the smell of smoked brisket, and that specific brand of "we’re better than you" that only exists between two Texas schools separated by a three-hour drive down I-35. Honestly, the North Texas football vs Texas State football matches are a weirdly perfect microcosm of Lone Star State football history.
Most people think this is some brand-new rivalry because of the recent bowl game drama. They’re wrong. This thing goes back way further than the flashy jerseys and NIL deals of today.
The Battle of the I-35 Corridor: A Century of Bad Blood
North Texas and Texas State (formerly Southwest Texas State) have been hitting each other since 1915. Let that sink in. Woodrow Wilson was in the White House when the Mean Green and the Bobcats first suited up to beat the brakes off each other.
The all-time series is actually pretty lopsided if you look at the raw numbers. North Texas leads it 31-10-3. But stats are kinda like a bikini—they show a lot, but they hide the essentials.
For decades, these schools were the backbone of the Lone Star Conference. Then they were in the Southland together. They’ve basically been mirrors of each other’s growth. North Texas grew into a massive university in the shadows of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Texas State became the beating heart of the hill country.
Why the 2025 First Responder Bowl Changed Everything
If you missed the First Responder Bowl on January 3, 2025, you missed one of the most chaotic games in the history of the series. It was a 30-28 nail-biter that basically restarted the fire between these fanbases.
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Texas State hadn't won back-to-back eight-win seasons since the early 80s. This game secured that. Meanwhile, North Texas was starting a freshman quarterback, Drew Mestemaker, who had basically no experience after their star, Chandler Morris, dipped for Virginia in the transfer portal.
It was supposed to be a blowout. It wasn't.
Mestemaker came out and played like his hair was on fire, throwing for nearly 400 yards. But Texas State’s Lincoln Pare? He was the absolute villain for the Mean Green that night. He ripped off a 73-yard touchdown run with two minutes left that felt like a dagger to the chest for the Denton faithful.
"Texas State (8-5) secured eight wins in back-to-back seasons for the first time since 1981-82." — Associated Press recap, January 2025.
Breaking Down the Head-to-Head
When you talk about North Texas football vs Texas State football matches, you have to look at the different "eras" of the series. It isn't just one continuous story.
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- The Early Dominance (1915-1947): North Texas was a juggernaut. They went on an 11-game winning streak. Texas State barely knew what hit them.
- The Southland Wars (1984-1994): This is where it got personal. The games were closer, the crowds were rowdier, and the local newspapers were constantly stoking the flames.
- The Modern Gap: There was a massive gap where they didn't play for years because they were in different conferences (Sun Belt, C-USA, American).
- The New Era: The First Responder Bowl matchup in 2025 proved that these two need to play more often.
What Makes This "Rivalry" Different?
It’s the "middle child" syndrome. Neither of these schools is the University of Texas. Neither is Texas A&M. They don't have $100 million boosters falling out of their pockets.
They are the "grind it out" programs.
North Texas fans pride themselves on being the tough, gritty school from the north. Texas State fans have that San Marcos "party school" reputation, but their football program has become incredibly resilient under guys like G.J. Kinne.
The Coaching Carousel and Transfer Portal Chaos
You can't talk about these games without talking about the mess that is modern college football. Coaches leave. Players leave.
Look at Neal Brown heading to North Texas to try and stabilize a program that has struggled to find its identity since the Seth Littrell era ended. Or look at how Texas State has used the transfer portal to basically rebuild their entire roster in 24 months.
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When these two teams meet, you aren't just seeing a school's history. You’re seeing a collection of players from all over the country who happen to be wearing those colors for a year or two. And yet, the fans keep the tradition alive. The "Eat 'Em Up Cats" chant vs. the "Go Mean Green" roar—it feels authentic even when the rosters are changing every December.
Notable Games You Should Know
- 1927: Texas State’s biggest win ever in the series. A 38-0 shutout. It took them nearly 80 years to feel that good again.
- 1994: A 27-14 North Texas win that marked the end of an era before the series went dormant for a long stretch.
- 2025 (The Bowl Game): This is the one everyone will talk about for the next decade. The sack by Kalil Alexander on the final drive to seal it for the Bobcats was legendary.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Series
The biggest misconception is that North Texas owns this series because of the 31-10 record.
If you look at the games played since the turn of the century (granted, there are very few), the gap has closed significantly. Texas State is no longer the "little brother" from San Marcos. They are recruiting at a level that rivals the middle-tier of the Big 12.
Another thing? People think this isn't a "real" rivalry because it isn't played every year. Tell that to the fans in Dallas who showed up in droves for the First Responder Bowl. The energy in that stadium was more intense than most mid-tier SEC games.
Actionable Insights for the Next Matchup
If you're planning on betting or even just watching the next time these two square off, keep a few things in mind:
- Watch the Transfer Portal: Especially at North Texas. They’ve been a revolving door lately, and stability is their biggest enemy.
- Home Field Matters: But not the way you think. Denton is a harder place to play in the winter, but San Marcos is a nightmare in the September heat.
- Check the QB Room: Since the 2025 bowl game, both teams have shifted toward a high-volume passing attack. If the over/under is below 60, take the over.
The North Texas football vs Texas State football matches are the soul of Texas college football. They aren't the biggest, they aren't the wealthiest, but they might just be the most honest representation of what the sport is all about.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Keep an eye on the 2026 scheduling announcements; there is significant pressure from both alumni bases to turn this into a regular non-conference series.
- Follow the recruitment cycles for both Neal Brown and G.J. Kinne, as their "Texas-first" recruiting strategy is directly pitting these two schools against each other for the same three-star athletes.