Duke at California - 2025 Matchup Preview
Duke logo Duke Blue Devils at California Golden BearsCalifornia logo
Saturday, October 4th 2025 (12:00 AM EDT)
California Memorial Stadium - Berkeley, CA  (ACC)

 
Blue Devils (1 - 2) (0 - 3 - 0)
Coach Manny Diaz (9 - 3)
Avg Score : 30 - 32 (27 - 34 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5.3 - 6.7 (#95)
Wins: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 1)
Losses: (Elite: 1) (Good: 0) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 0)
Future: (Elite: 0) (Good: 5) (Avg: 4) (Bad: 0)
DUKE 2nd straight Road Game
CAL is playing their 6th straight game
DUKE is playing their 6th straight game
Our Line: California -5.5   (SP+ CAL -5)

Projected Score: DUKE: 23 - CAL: 28 (51)
CAL Win prob: 67% | Cover: 51%
DUKE Travel: 2374 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)
 
Duke's 2025 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 8/28 Duke vs Elon-36.551.5W 45 - 17ON
Sat 9/6 Duke vs Illinois+2.549.0L 19 - 45ON
Sat 9/13 Duke at Tulane+1.552.5L 27 - 34ON
Sat 9/20 Duke vs NC State-3.559.5
Sat 9/27 Duke at Syracuse+3.5
Sat 10/4 Duke at California+5.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/18 Duke vs Georgia Tech+4.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/1 Duke at Clemson+13
Sat 11/8 Duke at UConn+1
Sat 11/15 Duke vs Virginia+1
Sat 11/22 Duke at North Carolina-1
Sat 11/29 Duke vs Wake Forest-5.5

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

Predictions for Duke'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
DUKE#40 (.31)47% (43)30.343% (79)3.15 (50)12749% (37)3533.54 (95)#112 (.25)38% (64)3233% (25)45% (102)5.33 (128)56.32.30.3
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
DUKE#109 (.12)39% (116)35% (129)2.47 (131)8942% (69)2263.7 (90)#10 (.06)38% (16)41% (51)34% (5)3.19 (17)48.91.42
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
DUKE Offense330.32747.1%3.542.3244791273535.237%63%43%49%13%.31
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
DUKE Defense3323438.4%5.330.3 - - - - - 57%43%33%45%17%.25
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
Duke325:5223.745%40%656.32.30.392.7127.2
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
DUKE Offense337% (130)43% (79)24.3126.75.22 (109).03 (101)3.15 (50)83% (28)9% (71)0.83 (99)
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
DUKE Defense357% (115)33% (25) - - - - .08 (73)2.26 (25)50% (19)15% (19)1.39 (128)
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
DUKE Offense363% (5)49% (37)27.341.3352.78.512.98 (18)2 (60).47 (30)1.6 (52)31% (76)42% (23).51 (38)4% (44)1.9 (86)
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
DUKE Defense343% (24)45% (102) - - - - - - 0.47 (117)1.7 (108)35% (51)30% (79).41 (100)3% (128)2.1 (87)
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)

Duke's Power Ratings
Duke's Power Rating: 9.28 #55
Duke's Offense Rating: 14.90 #54
Duke's Defense Rating: 5.62 #61
2025 Talent Rating: 816.00 #48
Blue Chip Ratio: 5% #54
Duke's 2025 Expected Record: 5.3 - 6.7
Duke's 2025 Overall SP+ Rating: 1.4 #65
Duke's Offense SP+ Rating: 27.2 #74
Duke's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.9 #62

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

Power Ratings Matchup
Duke: 9.28   California: 11.02

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Duke: 1.4   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


Duke Scoring
Offense: 30.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 27
Defense: 32 PPG
Defense on Road: 34

Duke's 2025 Record
Record: 1 - 2
Record vs Spread: 0 - 3 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 1
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 1 - 0
Projected Score
California 28
Duke 23


Total Points: 51

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
TeamWinsCoversO/U
California000 Overs
Duke000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0
Road Teams0 - 00 - 00 - 00 - 0

(#55) Duke Info
Power Rating: 9.28 #55
Offense Rating: 14.90 #54
Defense Rating: 5.62 #61
Overall SP+ Rating: 1.4 #65
Offense SP+ Rating: 27.2 #74
Defense SP+ Rating: 25.9 #62
Talent Rating: 816.00 #48
Blue Chip Ratio: 5% #54
Expected Record: 5.3 - 6.7

Team Profile
Very Pass heavy Offense 63%, Run: 37%
Good Offense Success Rate of 47%
Good Offensive Explosiveness
Poor in Scoring Position 3.54 PPO
Bad Run Success 43%
Good Pass Success 49%
Avg OL Grades, Avg OL Yds Per Rush
Good DL Grades, Great Sacks/Turnovers
Avg Defense Success Rate of 38%
Awful in Scoring Position 5.33 PPO
Good Run Def Success 33%
Poor Pass Def Success 45%
Avg Pressure/Havoc/Forcing TOs
Avg Field Position

Duke has lost 4 straight
Duke has lost 2 straight on the Road
Record on Road: 0 - 1 (0 - 1 - 0 vs Spread )

Duke Notes
(7/27) S T Moore & C Weaver the top duo in ACC
(6/6) Secondary a top ACC unit, should be strength
(5/23) Duke was 6-1 in 1 score games LY
(5/2) CB Chandler Rivers/ S Terry Moore top 10 via PFF
(4/4) OT Brian Parker II a top OT via PFF
(3/22) QB Mensah a big portal+ from Tulane
(3/21) RB #1 left (Tenn). Some depth, Castle (App St)
(3/21) WR rebuild, #3/4 back were productive
(3/21) OL 4/5 back, need to improve. Have size
(3/21) Def really good LY. New faces, look good TY

Duke Highlights
Duke offense is good on 3rd downs
Duke has a good run defense (#25)
Duke Stuffs a lot of Run Plays (#8)
Duke Defensive Line is very good (#25)
Duke Front 7 is disruptive (#19)
Duke defense Intercepts a lot of Passes (#)

Duke Deficiencies
Duke has a bad TO Margin (#125)
Duke Fumbles a Lot (#136)
Duke Defense Gives up a Lot of Points
Duke gives up a Lot of Explosive Plays (#126)
Duke has a bad red zone defense (#128)

Performance GradesPerf Grades
CategoryCatCALDUKE
OverallOver#33#28
OffenseOff#51#21
DefenseDef#22#53
Special TeamsST#36#21
PassingPass#11#5
RushingRush#84#28
Run BlockRBLK#55#29
Pass BlockPBLK#39#43
Route RunningWR Rt#72#40
TacklingTkl#88#80
Run DefenseR Def#82#16
Pass Rush DefPRush#39#38
Coverage DefCov#4#105

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

Team Information
Injuries: DUKE | CAL
Depth Chart: DUKE | CAL
Rosters: DUKE | 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 2 straight
California has won 2 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)


  
Duke's OC Jonathan Brewer
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Darian Mensah (Tr)8011967%1036828.7
Henry Belin IV2540%22004.4
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Nate Sheppard1512708.535
Jaquez Moore2411514.832
Anderson Castle (Tr)10101010.163
Peyton Jones103413.48
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Cooper Barkate (Tr)14272019.446
Que'Sean Brown13191014.744
Andrel Anthony Jr.10121312.135
Sahmir Hagans9116312.929

View Duke's Full Roster
Duke's DC Jonathan Patke
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
DaShawn Stone201000
Caleb Weaver (Tr)191001
Jaiden Francois (Tr)181100
Nick Morris Jr.174020
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Vincent Anthony126511
Josiah Green (Tr)32100
Kendall Johnson163110
Tre Freeman133110
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chandler Rivers102012
Vincent Anthony126511
Luke Mergott41001

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