The 73rd Battle of the Valley rivalry, a Mountain West staple since 1921, closes the regular season as the Fresno State Bulldogs (7-4, 4-3 MWC) travel to face the struggling San Jose State Spartans (3-8, 2-5 MWC) at CEFCU Stadium. Fresno State, under Tim Skipper in his interim year, enters with a chance to cap a 8-4 campaign and secure bowl positioning (projected Famous Idaho Potato Bowl) after a gritty 30-7 road win at Boise State on November 1. San Jose State, Ken Niumatalolo’s squad enduring a rebuild, hosts desperate for a signature victory to end a three-game skid following a 25-3 loss to San Diego State on November 23—the Spartans’ worst home defeat since 2019. The Bulldogs’ balanced offense (top-50 scoring at 28.5 PPG) exploits SJSU’s leaky defense (bottom-30, 32 PPG allowed), while the Spartans’ passing game could test Fresno’s secondary—expect San Jose fog, Spartan spirit, and a competitive affair with the Valley Cup and postseason hopes on the line.
Venue Location
The game unfolds at CEFCU Stadium at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California. This 30,456-seat Mountain West icon, opened in 1935 and renovated in 2015, is San Jose State’s home since 1935 and known for its intimate “Spartan Faithful” atmosphere and tailgate traditions amid Silicon Valley vibes. It’s Fresno State’s “road” venue (a 170-mile drive from Fresno), where the Spartans hold a 16-15-2 home record in the series—expect a packed house for the Valley Cup.
Kickoff: 10:30 p.m. ET (7:30 p.m. PT)
Broadcast: FS1 (primary), with streaming on FOX Sports app and Fubo. Radio: Fresno State’s 940 AM (Bulldog Network); San Jose State’s 1590 AM (Spartan Radio Network).
Weather Updates
San Jose’s late-November forecast offers mild, coastal conditions with a night-game twist. Expect partly cloudy skies with a high of 62°F (17°C) and a low around 45°F (7°C). Winds: Light 5-10 mph from the west, with 20% chance of fog rolling in after sunset. Low humidity (~60%)—artificial turf field firm and fast, favoring Fresno’s up-tempo style, but evening fog could slicken footing for late drives.
Injury Report
Fresno State’s front seven remains stable, but San Jose State’s secondary took hits in recent losses. Updates as of November 28.
Fresno State Bulldogs:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| S. Scott III | DL | Out | Undisclosed (season-ending, Oct. 2) | Rotational end (3 TFLs); thins front (team ranks 60th vs. rush). |
| J. Briggs | CB | Questionable | Undisclosed (Nov. 1) | Slot coverage (2 INTs); strains secondary if sidelined (Bulldogs allow 240 pass yds/game). |
Overall: Two major concerns; Skipper noted “no new issues,” with QB Mikey Keene fully healthy.
San Jose State Spartans:
| Player | Position | Status | Injury Details | Impact |
| Moleni | Various | Out | Undisclosed (season-ending) | Depth piece; contributes to O-line woes (35 sacks allowed, 120th nationally). |
Overall: Limited reports; Niumatalolo praised “resiliency,” but backfield depth tested.
Player Matchups
Fresno’s efficiency (top-50 SP+ offense) edges SJSU’s grit (top-80 defense). Valley history favors close games; keys:
SJSU QB (TBD) vs. Fresno Secondary: Spartans’ passer (est. 2,000 yds, 12 TDs) checks down. Bulldogs’ DBs (top-40 efficiency, 10 INTs) force TOs. Edge: Fresno—Bulldogs 5-1 with 2+ TOs; Spartans 1-5 with 3+ giveaways.
Fresno QB Mikey Keene vs. SJSU Pass Rush: Keene’s arm (2,500 yds, 18 TDs) carves zones. Spartans’ front (bottom-60 sacks) pressures 20% dropbacks. Edge: Keene—Fresno 6-1 exceeding 300 yds/game.
Fresno RB (committee) vs. SJSU Front Seven: Bulldog backs (180 YPG) test LBs (middling run D). Edge: Fresno—Spartans 2-4 under 130 rush yds.
SJSU WR (group) vs. Fresno CBs (Briggs questionable): Targets (est. 1,100 yds) work YAC. Bulldogs bend (60th passer rating). Edge: SJSU—Spartans 3-2 when WRs hit 150+ yds.
Recent Team Forms
Fresno State Bulldogs (W1; 3-2 last 5): Skipper’s Bulldogs won 30-7 at Boise State (Nov. 1), with Keene’s poise (250 yds). Balanced (28.5 PPG), D gritty (top-40 scoring). Morale: Bowl push—4-1 SU last 5.
San Jose State Spartans (L3; 1-4 last 5): Niumatalolo’s Spartans lost 25-3 to San Diego State (Nov. 23), scoring 15 PPG in skid. Offense stagnant (18 PPG), D leaky (30 PPG allowed). Morale: Home pride—3-2 SU at CEFCU.
Series History
The Battle of the Valley, contested since 1921, sees Fresno leading. All-time: Fresno State leads 37-32-3 (16-15-2 home for SJSU). Last 10: Fresno 6-4. Fresno holds after 2024’s W (Oct 26). At CEFCU: SJSU 16-15-2. Iconic: Fresno’s 1999 63-12 rout; SJSU’s 2001 28-17 upset.
| Year | Winner | Score | Notes |
| 2024 | Fresno | 28-24 | Road thriller |
| 2023 | Fresno | 42-30 | High-scoring |
| 2022 | SJSU | 35-24 | Spartan upset |
| 2021 | Fresno | 24-7 | Defensive |
| 2020 | Fresno | 37-10 | COVID blowout |
Betting Trends
Fresno State: 5-6 ATS (45.5%); 3-2 ATS as 3.5+ road faves. 6-5 O/U; overs in 4/6 away. 5-2 SU as favorite (71.4%). Vs. SJSU: 6-4 SU last 10.
San Jose State: 4-7 ATS (36.4%); 2-3 ATS as 3.5+ home dogs. 6-5 O/U; overs in 4/6 home. 2-6 SU as underdog (25%). Series: 4-6 SU last 10.
Series Trends: Road team 5-5 SU last 10; overs 6/10 (avg. 55 pts). Favorites cover 6/10; Fresno 4-2 ATS road vs. SJSU. Advanced: ESPN FPI gives Fresno 62.7% win prob. Fresno top-50 offensive SP+; SJSU 100th overall.
Game Odds
Fresno State Bulldogs – 3.5
San Jose State Spartans 47.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, November 28, 2025
