California at Syracuse - 2026 Matchup Preview
California logo California Golden Bears at Syracuse OrangeSyracuse logo
Saturday, September 12th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Carrier Dome - Syracuse, NY

 
Golden Bears (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Tosh Lupoi (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 25 - 27 (24 - 30 on Road)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#134)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
SYR 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: California -5.5  (SP+ CAL -10)
Projected Score: CAL: 29 - SYR: 24 (53)
CAL Win prob: 67% | Cover: 51%
CAL Travel: 2420 miles, 3 hrs behind
Orange (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Fran Brown (13 - 12)
Avg Score : 20 - 35 (22 - 29 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 3 - 9 (#115)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
 
California's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 California vs UCLA-5
Sat 9/12 California at Syracuse-5.5
Sat 9/19 California vs Wagner-24
Fri 9/25 California vs Clemson+5.5
Sat 10/3 California at UNLV+3
Sat 10/10 California vs Virginia Tech-5
Sat 10/17 California vs Wake Forest+3
Fri 10/23 California at SMU+13.5
Fri 10/30 California at NC State+9
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/14 California at Virginia+10.5
Sat 11/21 California vs Stanford-8
Sat 11/28 California vs Pittsburgh+5

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

Predictions for California's Schedule
Syracuse's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Syracuse vs New Hampshire-16
Sat 9/12 Syracuse vs California+5.5
Thu 9/17 Syracuse at Pittsburgh+18
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/3 Syracuse at UConn+5.5
Sat 10/10 Syracuse at Virginia+18.5
Sat 10/17 Syracuse vs Louisville+15.5
Sat 10/24 Syracuse at North Carolina+9
Fri 10/30 Syracuse vs SMU+16.5
Fri 11/6 Syracuse vs Clemson+13.5
Sat 11/14 Syracuse at NC State+17
Sat 11/21 Syracuse at Boston College+5.5
Sat 11/28 Syracuse vs Notre Dame+31.5

Total: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Played: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Future: Elite: , Good: , Avg , Bad , Poor
Wins: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:
Losses: Elite: , Good: , Avg: , Bad: , Poor:

Predictions for Syracuse'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
CAL#98 (.12)41% (95)25.338% (119)2.64 (120)8343% (57)2753.7 (66)#71 (.17)42% (79)27.247% (118)38% (34)3.69 (71)64.61.21.1
SYR#127 (.03)38% (117)20.241% (95)2.61 (124)12335% (125)2172.98 (123)#129 (.28)45% (120)34.945% (98)46% (120)4.15 (113)54.91.90.8
 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
CAL0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
SYR0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
CAL Offense1325.323.740.6%3.71.220358832752.839%60%38%43%16%.12
SYR Defense1234.928.845.4%4.150.8 - - - - - 47%52%45%46%13%.28
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
CAL Defense1327.229.642.3%3.691.1 - - - - - 46%51%47%38%15%.17
SYR Offense1220.221.837.7%2.981.9193401232173.447%52%41%35%19%.03

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
California1330:1419.940%52%7.864.61.21.14.61.5027.1
Syracuse1230:2819.435%47%6.254.91.90.84.81.6027.6
Run Game Stats (2026)
 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
CAL Offense1339% (131)38% (119)29.682.52.821 (78)-.04 (133)2.64 (120)70% (81)10% (74)0.89 (102)
SYR Defense1247% (29)45% (98) - - - - .11 (78)2.92 (77)64% (24)8% (112)1.04 (107)
 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
CAL Defense1346% (27)47% (118) - - - - .21 (122)3.32 (129)85% (131)8% (116)0.98 (82)
SYR Offense1247% (89)41% (95)36.2123.13.412 (88) (122)2.61 (124)70% (83)11% (105)0.87 (115)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
CAL Offense1360% (6)43% (57)24.838.8275.37.111.120 (61)10 (119).23 (78)1.5 (108)32% (77)33% (32).36 (49)7% (105)1.9 (113)
SYR Defense1252% (114)46% (120) - - - - - - 5 (55).44 (131)1.5 (60)29% (106)33% (108).48 (132)5% (99)2.1 (90)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
CAL Defense1351% (101)38% (34) - - - - - - 8 (55).14 (23)1.4 (10)32% (64)26% (23).16 (15)7% (22)1.7 (9)
SYR Offense1252% (42)35% (125)19.234217.36.411.317 (30)15 (132).1 (124)1.6 (52)33% (94)24% (124).12 (128)8% (129)2.1 (44)

California's Power Ratings
California's Power Rating: 4.22  #47
California's Offense Rating: 13.03  #51
California's Defense Rating: 13.81  #43
2026 Talent Rating: 884.00  #29
Blue Chip Ratio: 1%  #88
California's 2026 Expected Record: 0.0 - 0.0
California's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -3.2  #80
California's Offense SP+ Rating: 25.6  #77
California's Defense SP+ Rating: 27.9  #72

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 854.47
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75

Power Ratings Matchup
California: 4.22   Syracuse: -5

SP+ Ratings Matchup
California: -3.2   Syracuse: -13.1




Syracuse's Power Ratings
Syracuse's Power Rating: -5  #67
Syracuse's Offense Rating: 12.62  #56
Syracuse's Defense Rating: 19.52  #81
2026 Talent Rating: 832.00  #40
Blue Chip Ratio: 6  #49
Syracuse's 2026 Expected Record: 3.0 - 9.0
Syracuse's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -13.1  #115
Syracuse's Offense SP+ Rating: 18.8  #115
Syracuse's Defense SP+ Rating: 33.0  #106

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 854.47
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75


California Scoring
Offense: 25.3 PPG
Offense on Road: 23.7
Defense: 27.2 PPG
Defense on Road: 29.6

California's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
California 29
Syracuse 24

Projected Total Points: 53
Syracuse Scoring
Offense: 20.2 PPG
Offense at Home: 21.8
Defense: 34.9 PPG
Defense at Home: 28.8

Syracuse's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/16California25Syracuse33California -10.5Syracuse58.0Push
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Syracuse110 Overs
California000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 10 - 0
Road Teams1 - 01 - 00 - 01 - 0

(#47) CAL at (#67) SYR
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatCALSYR
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #47 #67
SP+SP+ #80 #115
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #29 #40
Blue ChipsBC% #88 #49
California on Offense
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCat
CAL OffSYR Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #95 #120
ExplosiveExp #65 #106
PPAPPA #98 #129
PowerPwr #51 #81
SP+SP+ #77 #106
Pts POPPO #66 #113
HavocHav #91 #114
California Run Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCat
CAL OffSYR Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #119 #98
Run ExplRExp #102 #107
PPAExp #133 #78
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #120 #77
Stuff RateStuff #58 #42
TackleTak - NR
California Pass Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCat
CAL OffSYR Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #57 #120
Pass ExplPExl #108 #60
PPAExp #78 #131
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #74 #112
DB HavocDB #105 #99
Syracuse on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCatSYR OffCAL Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #117 #79
ExplosiveExp #96 #31
PPAPPA #127 #71
PowerPwr #56 #43
SP+SP+ #115 #72
Pts POPPO #123 #71
HavocHav #125 #80
Syracuse Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat
SYR OffCAL Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #95 #118
Run ExplRExp #115 #82
PPAExp #122 #122
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #124 #129
Stuff RateStuff #69 #134
TackleTak - NR
Syracuse Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCatSYR OffCAL Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #125 #34
Pass ExplPExl #52 #10
PPAExp #124 #23
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #105 #116
DB HavocDB #129 #22
Program Comparison
SYR 5 Year Profile: Declining Average G5
'26 Profile: Down to Below Avg G5

CAL 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'26 Profile: Remains Top G5

Weather Forecast
Playing in Carrier Dome
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Syracuse beat California in 2024 (33-25)

  
CAL's OC Jordan Somerville (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele31549164%34461897.0
Jackson Brousseau (Tr)12820164%1354936.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ashten Emory (Tr)11956944.856
Adam Mohammed (Tr)10652354.925
Byron Cardwell4826715.622
Anthony League113813.58
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Chase Hendricks (Tr)711037714.667
Ian Strong (Tr)52762514.745
Dorian Thomas (Tr)56560410.034
Mason Mini35387411.151

View California's Full Roster

CAL's DC Michael Hutchings (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Cameron Sidney475113
Aiden Manutai442012
Aaron Hampton411100
Jasiah Wagoner281010
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jayden Wayne265350
Joshua Pierce (Tr)142210
Cameron Sidney475113
Aaron Hampton411100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Derek Wilkins120018
Cameron Sidney475113
Isaiah Crosby241003

SYR's OC Jeff Nixon (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Amari Odom (Tr)18929165%25941988.9
Malachi Nelson (Tr)10419055%1163896.1
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Amari Odom (Tr)12034772.924
Tylik Hill2412905.415
Braden Davis8812011.433
Joseph Filardi308712.926
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Cole Weaver (Tr)45642114.336
Noah Meyers (Tr)32357311.262
Darien Williams9112112.435
Tyshawn Russell884010.528

View Syracuse's Full Roster

SYR's DC Vince Kehres (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chris D'Appolonia (Tr)594124
Gary Bryant III535110
Tunmise Adeleye (Tr)488663
Antoine Deslauriers483102
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tunmise Adeleye (Tr)488663
Jamie Tremble103320
Jartavius Flounoy (Tr)226311
Braheem Long Jr.422202
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Chris Peal392007
Demetres Samuel Jr.371007
Nazir Ward (Tr)353106