California at Syracuse - 2026 Matchup Preview

California Golden Bears at Syracuse Orange

Saturday, September 12th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Carrier Dome - Syracuse, NY (ACC)

Golden Bears (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Tosh Lupoi (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 25 - 27 (24 - 30 on Road)
Record Prediction: 6.2 - 5.8 (#57)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 6) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)

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: 3.2 - 8.8 (#87)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 6) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 3)

Matchup
Schedules
CAL Players
SYR Players
Stats
Run/Pass
Ratings
Scoring
History

California's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	California vs UCLA	-2.5
Sat 9/12	California at Syracuse	-5.5
Sat 9/19	California vs Wagner	-26.5
Fri 9/25	California vs Clemson	+5.5
Sat 10/3	California at UNLV	+1.5
Sat 10/10	California vs Virginia Tech	-6
Sat 10/17	California vs Wake Forest	+2
Fri 10/23	California at SMU	+13.5
Fri 10/30	California at NC State	+8
	BYE WEEK
Sat 11/14	California at Virginia	+10.5
Sat 11/21	California vs Stanford	-10.5
Sat 11/28	California vs Pittsburgh	+4

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 6, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 6, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 2
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
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Sat 9/5	Syracuse vs New Hampshire	-18.5
Sat 9/12	Syracuse vs California	+5.5
Thu 9/17	Syracuse at Pittsburgh	+17
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/3	Syracuse at UConn	+5
Sat 10/10	Syracuse at Virginia	+18.5
Sat 10/17	Syracuse vs Louisville	+15
Sat 10/24	Syracuse at North Carolina	+7
Fri 10/30	Syracuse vs SMU	+16.5
Fri 11/6	Syracuse vs Clemson	+13.5
Sat 11/14	Syracuse at NC State	+15.5
Sat 11/21	Syracuse at Boston College	+4.5
Sat 11/28	Syracuse vs Notre Dame	+29

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 6, Avg 1, Bad 3, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 6, Avg 1, Bad 3, 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 Syracuse's Schedule

Important Stats (2025)

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
CAL	#98 (.12)	41% (95)	25.3	38% (119)	2.64 (120)	83	43% (57)	275	3.7 (66)	#71 (.17)	42% (79)	27.2	47% (118)	38% (34)	3.69 (71)	64.6	1.2	1.1
SYR	#127 (.03)	38% (117)	20.2	41% (95)	2.61 (124)	123	35% (125)	217	2.98 (123)	#129 (.28)	45% (120)	34.9	45% (98)	46% (120)	4.15 (113)	54.9	1.9	0.8

Teams	Off Explosive.	Off Success	PPG	Rush Success	OL Yds Per Att	Rush YPG	Pass Success	Pass YPG	Off ScoreZone	Def Explosive.	Def Success	Def PPG	RunD Success	Pass D Success	Def ScoreZone	Penalty YPG	TO PG	Def TO PG
CAL		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
SYR		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0

Overall Stats 2025

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
CAL Offense	13	25.3	23.7	40.6%	3.7	1.2	20	358	83	275	2.8	39%	60%	38%	43%	16%	.12
SYR Defense	12	34.9	28.8	45.4%	4.15	0.8	-	-	-	-	-	47%	52%	45%	46%	13%	.28

Teams	Games	PPG	PPG H/R	Success Rate	Pts PerOpp	TO	1stD PG	TotalYds PG	RushYds PG	PassYdsPG	RYPA	Run Rate	Pass Rate	Run Success	Pass Success	Havoc Rate	Total PPA
CAL Defense	13	27.2	29.6	42.3%	3.69	1.1	-	-	-	-	-	46%	51%	47%	38%	15%	.17
SYR Offense	12	20.2	21.8	37.7%	2.98	1.9	19	340	123	217	3.4	47%	52%	41%	35%	19%	.03

Additional Stats 2025

Teams	Games	Possession Time	1st Downs PG	3rd Down %	4th Down %	Penalties PG	Penalty Yds PG	Off TO PG	Def TO PG	TFL PG	Sacks PG	D/ST TDs	Avg Field Pos
California	13	30:14	19.9	40%	52%	7.8	64.6	1.2	1.1	4.6	1.5	0	27.1
Syracuse	12	30:28	19.4	35%	47%	6.2	54.9	1.9	0.8	4.8	1.6	0	27.6

Run Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
CAL Offense	13	39% (131)	38% (119)	29.6	82.5	2.8	21 (78)	-.04 (133)	2.64 (120)	70% (81)	10% (74)	0.89 (102)
SYR Defense	12	47% (29)	45% (98)	-	-	-	-	.11 (78)	2.92 (77)	64% (24)	8% (112)	1.04 (107)

Teams	Games	Run Play Rate	Run Play Success	Rush Att PG	Rush Yds PG	Rush Yds Per Att	Rushing TDs	Run Pred Pts Added	OL Yds Per Att	3rd/4th & Short	Front 7 Havoc	Run Play Explosivness
CAL Defense	13	46% (27)	47% (118)	-	-	-	-	.21 (122)	3.32 (129)	85% (131)	8% (116)	0.98 (82)
SYR Offense	12	47% (89)	41% (95)	36.2	123.1	3.4	12 (88)	(122)	2.61 (124)	70% (83)	11% (105)	0.87 (115)

Pass Game Stats (2026)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
CAL Offense	13	60% (6)	43% (57)	24.8	38.8	275.3	7.1	11.1	20 (61)	10 (119)	.23 (78)	1.5 (108)	32% (77)	33% (32)	.36 (49)	7% (105)	1.9 (113)
SYR Defense	12	52% (114)	46% (120)	-	-	-	-	-	-	5 (55)	.44 (131)	1.5 (60)	29% (106)	33% (108)	.48 (132)	5% (99)	2.1 (90)

Teams	Games	PassPlay Rate	PassPlay Success	Comp PG	Att PG	Yds PG	Yds PA	Yds PC	TDs	Ints	PassPlays PPA	PassPlays Expl	PassDowns Rate	PassDowns Succ Rate	PassDowns PPA	DB Havoc	PassDowns Expl
CAL Defense	13	51% (101)	38% (34)	-	-	-	-	-	-	8 (55)	.14 (23)	1.4 (10)	32% (64)	26% (23)	.16 (15)	7% (22)	1.7 (9)
SYR Offense	12	52% (42)	35% (125)	19.2	34	217.3	6.4	11.3	17 (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: 9.24 #41
California's Offense Rating: 17.12 #36
California's Defense Rating: 12.88 #49
2026 Talent Rating: 910.00 #32
Blue Chip Ratio: 7% #47
California's 2026 Expected Record: 6.2 - 5.8
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 905.41
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Power Ratings Matchup
California: 9.24 Syracuse: -2.305

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

Syracuse's Power Ratings
Syracuse's Power Rating: -2.305 #64
Syracuse's Offense Rating: 15.66 #46
Syracuse's Defense Rating: 17.17 #78
2026 Talent Rating: 868.00 #42
Blue Chip Ratio: 5 #55
Syracuse's 2026 Expected Record: 3.2 - 8.8
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 905.41
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

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

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2024	11/16	California	25	Syracuse	33	California -10.5	Syracuse	58.0	Push

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
Syracuse	1	1	0 Overs
California	0	0	0 Unders

	Wins	Covers	Favs	Dogs
Home Teams	0 - 1	0 - 1	0 - 1	0 - 0
Road Teams	1 - 0	1 - 0	0 - 0	1 - 0

(#41) CAL at (#64) SYR

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	CAL	SYR
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#41	#64
SP+SP+	#80	#115
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#32	#42
Blue ChipsBC%	#47	#55

California Notes(3/3) Vibes: Excited, Lupoi era, JKS back, great portal
(3/3) DL 8 portals, lots of mild exp but big potential
(2/6) QB retaining JKS a tremedous boost to Lupoi era
(2/6) RB 3 portals all w 440+ yds LY. Who emerges?
(2/6) WR 2 big portals Hendricks+Strong, v good TEs
(2/6) OL has lots of ?, 5 portals most w meh grades
(2/6) LB also a ?, 3 portals, exp but not much prod
(2/6) CB talented portal adds but very limited exp
(2/6) New staff w/ Lupoi. Hands full w Def roster
(2/6) S most settled pos on Def. Good adds/options
(2/6) OOC vs UCLA, @ UNLV is ambitious
California Injury Report

Syracuse Notes(2/17) Vibes: Uneasy, '25 a disaster but '24 was great
(2/7) Added 4 P4 starters on Def was big need
(2/6) QB Angeli back, LY a disaster after he went down
(2/6) Added QB Odom from Kenn St as a good backup
(2/6) RB Miller (Jax St) big add. Depth thin and inexp'd
(2/6) WR has lots of ? Weaver (M-OH) a good add
(2/6) OL is a mess of this looks really bad. Woof
(2/6) DL also a big ? Adeleye (UNLV) a big add, DT ?
(2/6) LBs have exp with 2 portal starters. Improved
(2/6) CBs look better w/ Ward (WKU) added. S as well
(2/6) New DC Kehres (Tol) huge add to fix awful Def
(2/6) Pivotal year 3 for Brown. Great '24, gross LY
Syracuse Injury Report

California on Offense

Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCat	CAL Off	SYR Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#95	#120
ExplosiveExp	#65	#106
PPAPPA	#98	#129
PowerPwr	#36	#78
SP+SP+	#77	#106
Pts POPPO	#66	#113
HavocHav	#91	#114

California Run Game

Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCat	CAL Off	SYR Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#119	#98
Run ExplRExp	#102	#107
PPAExp	#133	#78
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#120	#77
Stuff RateStuff	#58	#42
TackleTak	-	NR

California Pass Game

Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCat	CAL Off	SYR Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#57	#120
Pass ExplPExl	#108	#60
PPAExp	#78	#131
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#74	#112
DB HavocDB	#105	#99

Syracuse on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat	SYR Off	CAL Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#117	#79
ExplosiveExp	#96	#31
PPAPPA	#127	#71
PowerPwr	#46	#49
SP+SP+	#115	#72
Pts POPPO	#123	#71
HavocHav	#125	#80

Syracuse Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat	SYR Off	CAL Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#95	#118
Run ExplRExp	#115	#82
PPAExp	#122	#122
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#124	#129
Stuff RateStuff	#69	#134
TackleTak	-	NR

Syracuse Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 52%, Run: 47%
CategoryCat	SYR Off	CAL Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#125	#34
Pass ExplPExl	#52	#10
PPAExp	#124	#23
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
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 Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele	315	491	64%	3446	18	9	7.0
Jackson Brousseau (Tr)	128	201	64%	1354	9	3	6.7

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Ashten Emory (Tr)	119	569	4	4.8	56
Adam Mohammed (Tr)	106	523	5	4.9	25
Carter Vargas (Tr)	67	445	5	6.6	50
Byron Cardwell	48	267	1	5.6	22

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Chase Hendricks (Tr)	71	1037	7	14.6	67
Ian Strong (Tr)	52	762	5	14.7	45
Dorian Thomas (Tr)	56	560	4	10.0	34
Mason Mini	35	387	4	11.1	51

View California's Full Roster

CAL's DC Michael Hutchings (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Cameron Sidney	47	5	1	1	3
Aiden Manutai	44	2	0	1	2
Aaron Hampton	41	1	1	0	0
Jasiah Wagoner	28	1	0	1	0

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Jayden Wayne	26	5	3	5	0
Joshua Pierce (Tr)	14	2	2	1	0
Cameron Sidney	47	5	1	1	3
Aaron Hampton	41	1	1	0	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Derek Wilkins	12	0	0	1	8
Cameron Sidney	47	5	1	1	3
Isaiah Crosby	24	1	0	0	3

SYR's OC Jeff Nixon (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Amari Odom (Tr)	189	291	65%	2594	19	8	8.9
Malachi Nelson (Tr)	104	190	55%	1163	8	9	6.1

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Ahmad Miller (Tr)	163	1035	5	6.3	76
Amari Odom (Tr)	120	347	7	2.9	24
Tylik Hill	24	129	0	5.4	15
Braden Davis	88	120	1	1.4	33

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Cole Weaver (Tr)	45	642	1	14.3	36
Noah Meyers (Tr)	32	357	3	11.2	62
Darien Williams	9	112	1	12.4	35
Tyshawn Russell	8	84	0	10.5	28

View Syracuse's Full Roster

SYR's DC Vince Kehres (in his first season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Chris D'Appolonia (Tr)	59	4	1	2	4
Gary Bryant III	53	5	1	1	0
Tunmise Adeleye (Tr)	48	8	6	6	3
Antoine Deslauriers	48	3	1	0	2

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Tunmise Adeleye (Tr)	48	8	6	6	3
Jamie Tremble	10	3	3	2	0
Jartavius Flounoy (Tr)	22	6	3	1	1
Keyshawn Johnson (Tr)	10	5	3	0	0

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PD
Chris Peal	39	2	0	7
Demetres Samuel Jr.	37	1	0	7
Nazir Ward (Tr)	35	3	1	6