The series has often been a conference match-up, with the exception of ten games: 1971–1977, 1993–1994 and 2011.

Boise State and Nevada have met as conference rivals in four conferences—Big Sky, Big West, Western Athletic and Mountain West.

Since the Mountain West's expansion to twelve football members in 2013, the rivalry is no longer played annually.

In a four-year cycle, teams in opposite divisions play only twice (two seasons on and two off, or vice versa).

They can still meet in the Mountain West Championship game until 2025, which after Boise State departs for the newly reimagined Pac-12 Conference.