Game Preview: San Diego State Aztecs vs. Fresno State Bulldogs
Credit: PJ Panebianco/EVT Sports
Game Details
Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
Time: 7:30 pm PT
Channel: CBS Sports Network
Betting Line: FSU -7.5, O/U 45.5 (FanDuel)
Location: Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego, CA)
Records: SDSU 2-4 (1-1), FSU 4-2 (1-1)
Series: SDSU 32-27-4
The 13th Battle of the Oil Can will take place on Saturday night when the San Diego State Aztecs host the Fresno State Bulldogs
The Aztecs have faced (64) and beaten (32) the Bulldogs more than any other opponent. The Aztecs have held the Oil Can Trophy for the past three years.
Both teams lost this past weekend, but in very different ways. The Aztecs were embarrassed in Corvallis, losing 66-14 to the Oregon State Beavers. The Bulldogs lost a close game, 38-31, to the 23rd-ranked Boise State Broncos.
“We got exactly what we earned,” said SDSU head coach Sean Lewis on Monday about the lopsided loss in Corvallis. “We have to learn from it, and we have to have the ability to have resiliency and know that we got what we earned. And then, because of that, we have the ability to make it right as we continue to go forward.”
After losing to USC, 39-0, in their opening game, the Bulldogs won four consecutive games by a total of 139 to 43 before the loss to the Broncos.
“We have exactly what we need this week with a huge rivalry opportunity against the team up north,” added Lewis. Obviously, (we’ve) been playing this game for a really long time. You know it means a lot to us, and this week is different, and we need to approach it as such as we go forward to keep the old oil can here home with us.”
In last year’s matchup, the Aztecs shut out the Bulldogs in a dominating 23-0 win.
When SDSU has the ball
Halfway through the season, the Aztecs have one of the worst offenses in the country. They are 102nd, 130th, and 135th (out of 138) in rush offense, pass offense, and total offense, respectively. They only convert 27% of their third-down attempts, 133th in FBS.
The biggest question mark heading into this contest is whether Jayden Denegal (76/141, 787 yds, 6 TD, 5 INT) will continue to start at quarterback or whether backups Draiden Trudeau or Stone Saunders could take on that role. Saunders returned to practice last week from a broken collarbone suffered in the opening game and is listed as questionable in Thursday night’s Pac-12 availability report.
Lewis stated on Monday that all options were on the table, including at the most important position, but was not ready to make a decision until after the week of practice.
Lucky Sutton and Javion Kinnard are listed as questionable as well. Sutton has missed the previous two games, while Kinnard returned against Oregon State.
The Bulldogs lead the Pac-12 in scoring defense (20 ppg) and have held three opponents under ten points. Their +1.33 turnover margin is sixth best in FBS, intercepting seven passes and recovering four fumbles. Simeon Harris leads the team with three picks.
“They’re really tied together,” said Lewis about the Bulldogs defense. “You can tell that there’s not a whole lot of communication breakdowns with what they do. They leverage the ball well. They tackle well.”
K’vion Thunderbird (52) leads the team in tackles and Dylan Hampsten (3) leads them in sacks.
When FSU has the ball
The Bulldogs offense is 93rd, 78th, and 95th in rush offense, pass offense, and total offense, respectively. QB Jayden Mandal (110/170, 1,252 yds, 8 TD, 1 INT) has thrown 155 pass attempts without an interception coming into this game. He has also rushed for 135 yards and two scores.
“We definitely have to affect him and his quick throws,” said LB Sione Hala about Mandal.
RBs Rayshon Luke (42, 286 yds, 1 TD) and Bryson Donelson (52, 237 yds, 4 TD) lead the rushing attack, while Josiah Freeman (29 rec, 396 yds, 2 TD) is Mandal’s primary target.
“They do a really good job within their run game and how they work to leverage you with some of their trade shifts and motions,” added Lewis. “They generate big plays. Their wide receivers are bigger bodies that do a really good job in all facets of the game. They’re dangerous in all types of ways. They have had enough explosive runs and explosive passes throughout the course of the year. I think that’s the beauty of how they operate. That if you’re light in the box, you know they’ll check it, they’ll kill it at the line of scrimmage to take advantage of that. If you’re heavy in the box, then they’ll spit it to the edge. Big play action passes off it as they go.”
After starting the season well, the Aztecs’ defense has plummeted to the bottom of the FBS rankings. They are 114th, 137th and 135th in rush defense, pass defense and total defense, respectively.
Hala leads the team with 61 tackles and is probable for Saturday. His running mate, Tano Letuli (2nd on the team with 49 tackles) is doubtful, however. EDGE Djibril Rahman leads the team with 6.5 TFLs and 3 sacks.
Avid sports fan and historian of basketball, baseball, football and soccer. UC San Diego and San Diego State alumni living in America’s Finest City. Diverse team following across multiple sports leagues, but Aztecs come first in college athletics.