North Carolina at California - 2025 Matchup Preview
North Carolina logo North Carolina Tar Heels at California Golden BearsCalifornia logo
Friday, October 17th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
California Memorial Stadium - Berkeley, CA  (ACC)

 
Tar Heels (2 - 1) (2 - 1 - 0)
Coach Bill Belichick (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 25 - 19 (20 - 3 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5.5 - 6.5 (#89)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 5) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 1)
UNC coming off BYE
CAL coming off BYE
Our Line: California -9   (SP+ CAL -7)

Projected Score: UNC: 15 - CAL: 24 (38)
CAL Win prob: 74% | Cover: 48%
UNC Travel: 2370 miles, 3 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: 1) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 2)
Losses: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 4) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)
 
North Carolina's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Mon 9/1 North Carolina vs TCU+3.059.5L 14 - 48ON
Sat 9/6 North Carolina at Charlotte-16.549.5W 20 - 3UY
Sat 9/13 North Carolina vs Richmond-24.547.5W 41 - 6UY
Sat 9/20 North Carolina at UCF+6.548.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/4 North Carolina vs Clemson+11.5
BYE WEEK
Fri 10/17 North Carolina at California+9
Sat 10/25 North Carolina vs Virginia+4.5
Fri 10/31 North Carolina at Syracuse+7
Sat 11/8 North Carolina vs Stanford-6
Sat 11/15 North Carolina at Wake Forest+3
Sat 11/22 North Carolina vs Duke+1
Sat 11/29 North Carolina at NC State+9.5

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

Predictions for North Carolina'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: 1, Avg 0, Bad 1, Poor 1
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 3, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 1, 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
UNC#98 (.11)38% (105)2536% (116)2.73 (94)13041% (86)1494.15 (62)#43 (.05)38% (63)1932% (20)44% (98)1.73 (10)43.31.32
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
UNC#65 (.2)42% (80)47% (34)3.32 (22)17537% (114)2164.08 (52)#70 (.17)41% (53)44% (82)37% (26)4.01 (90)59.81.21.2
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
UNC Offense3252038.2%4.151.3142791301494.357%43%36%41%17%.11
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
UNC Defense319338.2%1.732 - - - - - 47%53%32%44%14%.05
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
North Carolina326:3013.733%67%443.31.3241.3034.1
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
UNC Offense357% (29)36% (116)30.7130.34.34 (79).1 (84)2.73 (94)67% (86)13% (127)1.13 (38)
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
UNC Defense347% (52)32% (20) - - - - -.13 (17)1.54 (4)86% (112)7% (106)0.82 (41)
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
UNC Offense343% (104)41% (86)13.321.7148.76.911.24 (72)2 (60).13 (106)1.6 (46)28% (49)30% (84).38 (58)4% (39)2.2 (42)
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
UNC Defense353% (88)44% (98) - - - - - - 4 (12).21 (67)1.4 (44)33% (73)30% (75).27 (67)6% (56)2 (74)
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)

North Carolina's Power Ratings
North Carolina's Power Rating: 3.75 #70
North Carolina's Offense Rating: 9.15 #84
North Carolina's Defense Rating: 5.40 #58
2025 Talent Rating: 938.00 #17
Blue Chip Ratio: 17% #29
North Carolina's 2025 Expected Record: 5.5 - 6.5
North Carolina's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 0.1 #72
North Carolina's Offense SP+ Rating: 27.6 #69
North Carolina's Defense SP+ Rating: 27.6 #73

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

Power Ratings Matchup
North Carolina: 3.75   California: 11.02

SP+ Ratings Matchup
North Carolina: 0.1   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


North Carolina Scoring
Offense: 25 PPG
Offense on Road: 20
Defense: 19 PPG
Defense on Road: 3

North Carolina's 2025 Record
Record: 2 - 1
Record vs Spread: 2 - 1 - 0
Record on Road: 1 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 1 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
California 24
North Carolina 15


Total Points: 38

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


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreWinnerSpreadCoverTotalO/U
201809/01California24North Carolina17CaliforniaCalifornia -7Push57.5Under
201709/02North Carolina30California35CaliforniaNorth Carolina -12.5California57.5Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
California211 Overs
North Carolina001 Unders

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

(#70) North Carolina Info
Power Rating: 3.75 #70
Offense Rating: 9.15 #84
Defense Rating: 5.40 #58
Overall SP+ Rating: 0.1 #72
Offense SP+ Rating: 27.6 #69
Defense SP+ Rating: 27.6 #73
Talent Rating: 938.00 #17
Blue Chip Ratio: 17% #29
Expected Record: 5.5 - 6.5

Team Profile
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 43%
Poor Offense Success Rate of 38%
Poor Offensive Explosiveness
Avg in Scoring Position 4.15 PPO
Awful Run Success 36%
Bad Pass Success 41%
Avg OL Grades, Poor OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Poor Sacks/Turnovers
Avg Defense Success Rate of 38%
Great in Scoring Position 1.73 PPO
Great Run Def Success 32%
Poor Pass Def Success 44%
Poor Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position

North Carolina has lost 2 straight
North Carolina has lost 1 straight on the Road
Record on Road: 1 - 0 (1 - 0 - 0 vs Spread )

North Carolina Notes
(8/27) QB1 - Gio Lopez has won starting job in fall
(5/11) One of the most exp'd OLs, but 52% from portals
(4/17) QB Lopez (S Al) added post spring.
(4/17) NFL style not open to fans/media. We'll see
(4/17) Is Lopez QB1? Have Johnson (Inj)/Browne (PU)
(3/21) RB rebuild. Some options, SO Gause has exp
(3/21) WR/TE rebuild. Have some talented options
(3/21) OL rebuild 1/5 back. 5 portal adds.
(3/21) Def - Run Def awful LY. Have some DE's
(3/21) Nearly 1/2 roster new TY. New staff

North Carolina Highlights
North Carolina defense is really good in red zone (#10)
North Carolina has a good run defense (#20)
North Carolina Stuffs a lot of Run Plays (#15)
North Carolina Defensive Line is very good (#4)
North Carolina commits very few Penalties (#25)
North Carolina defense Intercepts a lot of Passes (#12)

North Carolina Deficiencies
North Carolina offense is really bad (#105)
North Carolina run game is really bad (#116)
North Carolina offense is bad on 3rd Downs

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatCALUNC
OverallOver#33#42
OffenseOff#51#71
DefenseDef#22#30
Special TeamsST#36#72
PassingPass#11#62
RushingRush#84#100
Run BlockRBLK#55#46
Pass BlockPBLK#39#10
Route RunningWR Rt#72#71
TacklingTkl#88#27
Run DefenseR Def#82#37
Pass Rush DefPRush#39#35
Coverage DefCov#4#39

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

Team Information
Injuries: UNC | CAL
Depth Chart: UNC | CAL
Rosters: UNC | 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 lost 3 straight
California has lost 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)


  
North Carolina's OC Freddie Kitchens
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Giovanni Lopez315359%343316.5
Max Johnson91182%103109.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Demon June2320018.750
Giovanni Lopez277412.712
Caleb Hood154613.19
Davion Gause154312.912
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jordan Shipp10149214.939
Chris Culliver489122.351
Javarius Green688014.739
Jake Johnson43218.011

View North Carolina's Full Roster
North Carolina's DC Stephen Belichick
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Andrew Simpson (Tr)224100
Khmori House (Tr)182010
Mikai Gbayor (Tr)162100
Kaleb Cost130000
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Melkart Abou-Jaoude (Tr)82220
Andrew Simpson (Tr)224100
Mikai Gbayor (Tr)162100
Joseph Mupoyi (Tr)20010
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Thaddeus Dixon (Tr)80003
Marcus Allen80003
Jaiden Patterson60001

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