The Zeitgeist List · Rivalries

Mayor's Cup (TX)

SMU49-41-1Rice
National Program I#34 of 138▲Regional Program V#129 of 138–
See both programs’ full 91-year Zeitgeist History, side by side →
1 player crossed straight to the rival since 2021 — the turncoat ledger →

SMU leads the all-time series 49-41-1. They've met 91 times since 1916. SMU once took 10 straight.

Current season

Vegas win totals and transfer-portal swing right now, plus what fans are actually saying — not history, this year.

SMU
Win total
8.5
Vegas over/under
Transfer portal
+5
portal net points (weighted) · raw ledger: -19
What fans are saying · player performance
One fan thinks Kevin is not playing as well as before
Kevin Jennings 2nd half was embarrassing. Guy needs competition in camp next year
Verified verbatim
Rice
Transfer portal
+1
portal net points (weighted) · raw ledger: -8

Stature & the series, 1916–2023

Both programs’ standing over time, each line named at its end, with every meeting beneath — read down to see who was bigger and who won. (Stature is each program’s season-by-season standing on the Zeitgeist List, 1936–present — one score blending on-field performance, program achievement, and roster talent.)

program stature over timeSMURiceevery meeting (bar height = margin; dark: SMU won, gray: Rice won)192019401960198020002020

The identity war

SMU has been the more pass-heavy program more often than not.

Across 23 seasons of real play-level data (2004–2026), SMU led 19 and Rice led 4.

more passmore runSMURice2004200620082010201220142016201820202022202420262013SMU 32.3 pts2004SMU 29.6 ptsRice won 44-102026SMU 28.8 pts
Source team_season_stats (CFBD season totals) · pass rate = passAttempts ÷ (passAttempts + rushingAttempts)

The biggest win was Rice by 143 in 1916. The biggest crowd, 23,164, was in 2008.

The coaching duels

Madison Bell vs Jess Neely4-3
Bill Meek vs Jess Neely0-4-1
Hayden Fry vs Jess Neely3-2
Mike Cavan vs Ken Hatfield3-2
June Jones vs David Bailiff3-2
Madison Bell vs Jimmy Kitts2-2

The draft ledger

Every NFL Draft pick either program has produced since the modern era began, decade by decade.

Draft picks
60-24
SMU leads
1st-rounders
4-2
Since
1967
First CFBD-carried draft class
SMURice
1960s6-0
1970s6-8
1980s20-2
1990s4-3
2000s3-4
2010s12-6
2020s9-1

Best picks, either side

1983Eric Dickerson Running Back · Los Angeles RamsRd 1, pick 2#2 overall
1984Russell Carter Defensive Back · New York JetsRd 1, pick 10#10 overall
1980Earl Cooper Running Back · San Francisco 49ersRd 1, pick 13#13 overall
1986Roderick Jones Defensive Back · Tampa Bay BuccaneersRd 1, pick 25#25 overall
1986Reggie Dupard Running Back · New England PatriotsRd 1, pick 26#26 overall
1973Gary Butler Tight End · Kansas City ChiefsRd 2, pick 1#27 overall
1977Tommy Kramer Quarterback · Minnesota VikingsRd 1, pick 27#27 overall
1975Louie Kelcher Defensive Tackle · San Diego ChargersRd 2, pick 4#30 overall

Recent meetings

2023SMU36-31
2012Rice36-14
2011SMU27-24Rice — decided by 3
2010SMU42-31
2009SMU31-28Rice — decided by 3
2008Rice56-27
2007Rice43-42SMU — decided by 1
2006Rice31-27
2005SMU27-7
2004Rice44-10
2003Rice41-20
2002Rice27-15
2001SMU37-20
2000Rice43-14