Minnesota at California - 2025 Matchup Preview
Minnesota logo Minnesota Golden Gophers at California Golden BearsCalifornia logo
Saturday, September 13th 2025 (10:30 PM EDT)
Minnesota -3 (41.5) (-162)  Open: 0.0
California 27 - Minnesota: 14

 
Golden Gophers (2 - 1) (1 - 2 - 0)
Coach P. J. Fleck (57 - 39)
Avg Score : 34 - 12 (14 - 27 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7 - 5 (#63)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 2) (Good: 4) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 2)
CAL 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: Minnesota -2   (SP+ MINN -1.5)

Projected Score: MINN: 22 - CAL: 20 (42)
MINN Win prob: 56% | Cover: 47%
MINN Travel: 1572 miles, 2 hrs ahead
Golden Bears (3 - 0) (2 - 1 - 0)
Coach Justin Wilcox (42 - 49)
Avg Score : 32 - 11 (31 - 9 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 3.5 (#35)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 5) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)
 
Minnesota's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/28 Minnesota vs Buffalo-16.545.5W 23 - 10UN
Sat 9/6 Minnesota vs Northwestern State-43.050.5W 66 - 0OY
Sat 9/13 Minnesota at California-3.041.5L 14 - 27UN
BYE WEEK
Sat 9/27 Minnesota vs Rutgers-6
Sat 10/4 Minnesota at Ohio State+19
Sat 10/11 Minnesota vs Purdue-20
Sat 10/18 Minnesota vs Nebraska+2
Sat 10/25 Minnesota at Iowa+3
Sat 11/1 Minnesota vs Michigan State-7
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/15 Minnesota at Oregon+19.5
Sat 11/22 Minnesota vs Northwestern-11
Sat 11/29 Minnesota vs Wisconsin-6.5

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Minnesota's Schedule
California's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 8/30 California at Oregon State+3.051.5W 34 - 15UY
Sat 9/6 California vs Texas Southern-44.554.5W 35 - 3UN
Sat 9/13 California vs Minnesota+3.041.5W 27 - 14UY
Sat 9/20 California at San Diego State-12.548.5
Sat 9/27 California at Boston College+1.5
Sat 10/4 California vs Duke-5.5
BYE WEEK
Fri 10/17 California vs North Carolina-9
Fri 10/24 California at Virginia Tech-11
Sat 11/1 California vs Virginia-2.5
Sat 11/8 California at Louisville+10.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/22 California at Stanford-7.5
Sat 11/29 California vs SMU+0.5

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 5, Avg 2, Bad 4, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 5, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 1, Poor: 1
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for California's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MINN#57 (.23)46% (50)34.342% (84)3.24 (44)18051% (31)2403.57 (93)#26 (-)33% (28)12.324% (6)39% (65)3.78 (77)46.71.31.7
CAL#85 (.16)42% (80)3240% (93)3.05 (63)12244% (68)2663.58 (90)#22 (-.02)35% (32)10.737% (54)34% (38)2.71 (41)59.70.71.7
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MINN#64 (.2)45% (39)44% (65)2.7 (119)10346% (29)2044.38 (27)#16 (.08)39% (35)36% (8)42% (80)3.32 (23)35.60.81.5
CAL#79 (.17)42% (88)40% (104)2.68 (120)12243% (57)2593.07 (125)#48 (.14)40% (52)41% (53)40% (67)3.23 (20)59.70.81.7



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MINN Offense334.31446.2%3.571.3244211802404.352%48%42%51%12%.23
CAL Defense310.78.534.8%2.711.7 - - - - - 42%57%37%34%19%-.02
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MINN Defense312.32733.3%3.781.7 - - - - - 40%60%24%39%21%0
CAL Offense3323142.2%3.580.7193881222664.142%57%40%44%13%.16

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Minnesota335:1223.749%33%4.746.71.31.76.32.3135.3
California329:0918.737%50%759.70.71.75.31.7033.2
Run Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MINN Offense352% (60)42% (84)42.3180.34.36 (49).06 (94)3.24 (44)80% (36)6% (16)0.78 (115)
CAL Defense342% (18)37% (54) - - - - -.08 (25)2.56 (48)67% (53)10% (61)0.76 (27)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MINN Defense340% (11)24% (6) - - - - -.17 (11)1.94 (9)80% (107)16% (10)0.81 (37)
CAL Offense342% (117)40% (93)29.71224.14 (79).13 (73)3.05 (63)58% (109)8% (58)1.14 (36)

Pass Game Stats (2025)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MINN Offense348% (73)51% (31)1728240.38.614.15 (54)3 (92).42 (41)1.7 (35)31% (75)35% (44).34 (65)7% (104)1.8 (96)
CAL Defense357% (117)34% (38) - - - - - - 3 (28).04 (25)1.3 (27)37% (31)16% (15)-.09 (12)9% (17)2 (67)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MINN Defense360% (130)39% (65) - - - - - - 2 (56).11 (38)1.5 (61)37% (25)24% (38).24 (61)6% (76)2.2 (97)
CAL Offense357% (22)44% (68)2436266.37.411.17 (23)1 (23).18 (96)1.4 (97)28% (41)27% (99).24 (91)5% (71)2.2 (39)

Minnesota's Power Ratings
Minnesota's Power Rating: 18.04 #35
Minnesota's Offense Rating: 15.99 #46
Minnesota's Defense Rating: -2.05 #22
2025 Talent Rating: 928.00 #19
Blue Chip Ratio: 8% #44
Minnesota's 2025 Expected Record: 7.0 - 5.0
Minnesota's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 8.4 #47
Minnesota's Offense SP+ Rating: 23.7 #95
Minnesota's Defense SP+ Rating: 15.4 #11

Average Talent
Average Big Ten Talent Rating is 906.67
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85

Power Ratings Matchup
Minnesota: 18.04   California: 11.02

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Minnesota: 8.4   California: 6.8




California's Power Ratings
California's Power Rating: 11.02 #53
California's Offense Rating: 10.28 #81
California's Defense Rating: 0.03 #27
2025 Talent Rating: 794.00 #55
Blue Chip Ratio: 1 #88
California's 2025 Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5
California's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 6.8 #52
California's Offense SP+ Rating: 28.3 #64
California's Defense SP+ Rating: 21.5 #35

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 852.82
Average Power Five Talent: 877.82
Average FBS Talent: 715.85


Minnesota Scoring
Offense: 34.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 14
Defense: 12.3 PPG
Defense on Road: 27

Minnesota's 2025 Record
Record: 2 - 1
Record vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 1
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 1 - 0
Record as Fav vs Spread: 1 - 2 - 0
Record as Road Fav vs Spread: 0 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
Minnesota 22
California 20


Total Points: 42

California Scoring
Offense: 32 PPG
Offense at Home: 31
Defense: 10.7 PPG
Defense at Home: 8.5

California's 2025 Record
Record: 3 - 0
Record vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record at home: 2 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 1 - 1 - 0
Record as Dog vs Spread: 2 - 0 - 0
Record as Home Dog vs Spread: 1 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202509/13California27Minnesota14CaliforniaMinnesota -3California41.5Under
200909/19Minnesota21California35California
200609/09California42Minnesota17California
TeamWinsCoversO/U
California310 Overs
Minnesota001 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams2 - 11 - 00 - 01 - 0
Road Teams1 - 20 - 10 - 10 - 0

(#35) Minnesota Info
Power Rating: 18.04 #35
Offense Rating: 15.99 #46
Defense Rating: -2.05 #22
Overall SP+ Rating: 8.4 #47
Offense SP+ Rating: 23.7 #95
Defense SP+ Rating: 15.4 #11
Talent Rating: 928.00 #19
Blue Chip Ratio: 8% #44
Expected Record: 7.0 - 5.0

Team Profile
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 52%
Avg Offense Success Rate of 46%
Avg Offensive Explosiveness
Poor in Scoring Position 3.57 PPO
Bad Run Success 42%
Good Pass Success 51%
Good OL Grades, Good OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Great Sacks/Turnovers
Good Defense Success Rate of 33%
Bad in Scoring Position 3.78 PPO
Great Run Def Success 24%
Avg Pass Def Success 39%
Great Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position

Minnesota has won 2 straight
Record on Road: 0 - 1 (0 - 1 - 0 vs Spread )

Minnesota Notes
(9/13) RB1 D Taylor doubtful for Cal (leg inj)
(8/29) QB Lindsey, RB Taylor as good as advertised
(5/26) Portal DE J Howard (LSU) a pot. gamewrecker
(5/23) Safeties Perich & Brown a top duo in CFB
(5/2) S Koi Perch #2 via PFF, only a Soph, 5 Ints
(4/17) QB RFr Drake Lindsey starter? Pryon in portal
(4/7) OL 2/5 back, bad LY. 3 exp'd P4 portals added
(3/31) RB Taylor back, add Turner (Marsh). Looks great
(3/19) WR rebuild. 3 portal adds. Improved, how much?
(3/19) Def v good and return a lot. New DE/CB needs

Minnesota Highlights
Minnesota offense is good on 3rd downs
Minnesota does Not Get Runs Stuffed (#18)

Minnesota has a really good defense (#28)
Minnesota has a good run defense (#6)
Minnesota Stuffs a lot of Run Plays (#24)
Minnesota Defensive Line is very good (#9)
Minnesota Front 7 is disruptive (#10)

Minnesota Deficiencies

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatCALMINN
OverallOver#33#8
OffenseOff#51#8
DefenseDef#22#17
Special TeamsST#36#4
PassingPass#11#13
RushingRush#84#13
Run BlockRBLK#55#11
Pass BlockPBLK#39#44
Route RunningWR Rt#72#35
TacklingTkl#88#25
Run DefenseR Def#82#34
Pass Rush DefPRush#39#63
Coverage DefCov#4#10

Rematch from Week 3
Minnesota 3.0 (41.5)
California won vs Minnesota this year (27-14)

Weather Forecast
Playing in California Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°

Team Information
Injuries: MINN | CAL
Depth Chart: MINN | CAL
Rosters: MINN | CAL
(#53) California Info
Power Rating: 11.02 #53
Offense Rating: 10.28 #81
Defense Rating: 0.03 #27
Overall SP+ Rating: 6.8 #52
Offense SP+ Rating: 28.3 #64
Defense SP+ Rating: 21.5 #35
Talent Rating: 794.00 #55
Blue Chip Ratio: 1 #88
Expected Record: 8.5 - 3.5

Team Profile
Pass heavy Offense 57%, Run: 42%
Bad Offense Success Rate of 42%
Bad Offensive Explosiveness
Poor in Scoring Position 3.58 PPO
Poor Run Success 40%
Bad Pass Success 44%
Avg OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Avg DL Grades, Avg Sacks/Turnovers
Good Defense Success Rate of 35%
Good in Scoring Position 2.71 PPO
Avg Run Def Success 37%
Good Pass Def Success 34%
Good Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Good Field Position

California has won 2 straight
California has won 1 straight at Home
Record at home: 2 - 0 (1 - 1 - 0 vs Spread)

California Notes
(8/31) QB Sagapolutele real deal, great in opener
(8/31) Def much improved? Great Run Def vs Oreg St
(8/18) QB1 Fr. Sagapolutele beat out Brown (OSU)
(6/4) RBs High (UTSA), Johnson (SMU), Raphel (NC St)
(6/4) OL bad LY. 2/5 back + 6 exp'd portal adds
(5/11) One of the most exp'd OLs, but 64% from portals
(4/18) Losses 4/5 QB, 11/19 WR, 10/13 RB, 4/5 OL
(4/17) RB room decimated. 5 entered portal post spring
(4/17) TE Endries gone via portal post spring, big loss
(4/17) New OC Harsin a bad start, lead to portal mess

California Highlights
California in Undefeated
California is Undefeated at Home
California is Undefeated vs Spread as Home Underdogs

California defense does not give up big plays (#23)
California Secondary is very good (#17)
California has a great TO Margin (#28)
California defense Intercepts a lot of Passes (#28)

California Deficiencies
California Can Not Run the Ball (#102)


  
Minnesota's OC Greg Harbaugh Jr.
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Drake Lindsey467661%634428.3
Max Shikenjanski4580%801016.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Darius Taylor3316104.918
Fame Ijeboi2313605.927
Grant Washington2012606.316
Cameron Davis (Tr)216923.314
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Javon Tracy (Tr)6150125.045
Lemeke Brockington10136013.623
Jalen Smith276138.060
Kenric Lanier II259029.552

View Minnesota's Full Roster
Minnesota's DC Danny Collins
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Maverick Baranowski182000
Devon Williams182201
Koi Perich101000
Aidan Gousby80000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Anthony Smith74301
Devon Williams182201
Emmanuel Karmo51111
Jalen Logan-Redding41100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
John Nestor (Tr)61002
Devon Williams182201
Anthony Smith74301

California's OC Bryan Harsin
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (Tr)7010567%772617.4
Devin Brown (Tr)22100%271013.5
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Kendrick Raphael (Tr)4021015.333
Brandon High188014.422
LJ Johnson Jr. (Tr)113813.512
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele (Tr)122211.825
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Trond Grizzell11175115.935
Jacob De Jesus (Tr)1614118.827
Mark Hamper (Tr)9139015.435
Mason Mini (Tr)139927.619

View California's Full Roster
California's DC Vacant
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Luke Ferrelli272000
Cade Uluave243020
Isaiah Crosby210003
Hezekiah Masses (Tr)140005
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
T.J. Bush (Tr)133220
Ryan McCulloch93241
Aaron Hampton51100
Jayden Wayne (Tr)31120
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Hezekiah Masses (Tr)140005
Brent Austin (Tr)60003
Isaiah Crosby210003