Separated by just 54 miles, Texas State and UTSA share one of the most under-appreciated rivalries in college football. While the most fierce active rivalry in Texas may not feature the best football you’ll be able to see on any given Saturday, the hatred runs deep on each side of the I-35 Showdown. The two teams have only met on the field twice but both games have seen huge turnouts, as over 39,000 fans filled the Alamodome in 2012 and over 31,000 fans showed up to Bobcat Stadium in 2017, an over-capacity crowd.
Recognizing the regional interest in the budding rivalry, Texas-based mega-grocer HEB purchased naming rights for the rivalry, ensuring that the game will continue to be played on an annual basis for the foreseeable future.