San Diego State competed in the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA).
The 1940 team was led by head coach Leo B. Calland in his sixth season with the Aztecs.
They played home games at two sites, Aztec Bowl and Balboa Stadium in San Diego, California.
The Aztecs finished the season with five wins, three losses and one tie (5–3–1, 1–1–1 CCAA).
146 (out of 697 college football teams) in the final rankings under the Litkenhous Difference by Score system for 1940.