Clemson at California - 2026 Matchup Preview
Clemson logo Clemson Tigers at California Golden BearsCalifornia logo
Friday, September 25th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
California Memorial Stadium - Berkeley, CA

 
Tigers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Dabo Swinney (186 - 53)
Avg Score : 27 - 21 (30 - 15 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.4 - 5.6 (#62)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
CAL 2nd straight Home Game
CAL is playing their 4th straight game
CLEM is playing their 4th straight game
Our Line: Clemson -5.5  (SP+ CLEM -12.5)
Projected Score: CLEM: 27 - CAL: 22 (49)
CLEM Win prob: 67% | Cover: 51%
CLEM Travel: 2190 miles, 3 hrs ahead
Golden Bears (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Tosh Lupoi (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 25 - 27 (27 - 24 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 0 - 0 (#134)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
 
Clemson's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Clemson at LSU+11
Sat 9/12 Clemson vs Georgia Southern-22
Sat 9/19 Clemson vs North Carolina-12
Fri 9/25 Clemson at California-5.5
Sat 10/3 Clemson vs Miami+12
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/17 Clemson vs Charleston Southern-32
Sat 10/24 Clemson vs Virginia Tech-13.5
Sat 10/31 Clemson at Florida State+1.5
Fri 11/6 Clemson at Syracuse-13.5
Sat 11/14 Clemson vs Georgia Tech-4.5
Sat 11/21 Clemson at Duke-2
Sat 11/28 Clemson vs South Carolina-2

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 Clemson's Schedule
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
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
CLEM#55 (.19)42% (67)27.243% (81)2.99 (60)12443% (56)2683.8 (59)#42 (.11)37% (18)20.539% (41)36% (15)2.68 (9)42.11.21.3
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
 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
CLEM0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
CAL0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
CLEM Offense1327.229.642.4%3.81.221392124268443%56%43%43%15%.19
CAL Defense1327.224.342.3%3.691.1 - - - - - 46%51%47%38%15%.17
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
CLEM Defense1320.515.437%2.681.3 - - - - - 42%57%39%36%20%.11
CAL Offense1325.327.240.6%3.71.220358832752.839%60%38%43%16%.12

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
Clemson1331:012134%56%4.442.11.21.36.52.6130.3
California1330:1419.940%52%7.864.61.21.14.61.5027.1
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
CLEM Offense1343% (121)43% (81)31.5124.5420 (99).1 (75)2.99 (60)72% (71)9% (47)0.91 (90)
CAL Defense1346% (27)47% (118) - - - - .21 (122)3.32 (129)85% (131)8% (116)0.98 (82)
 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
CLEM Defense1342% (1)39% (41) - - - - .03 (29)2.68 (27)83% (127)11% (20)0.94 (60)
CAL Offense1339% (131)38% (119)29.682.52.821 (78)-.04 (133)2.64 (120)70% (81)10% (74)0.89 (102)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
CLEM Offense1356% (18)43% (56)23.836.5267.87.311.322 (30)7 (88).28 (58)1.5 (98)29% (28)28% (90).21 (102)6% (86)1.8 (122)
CAL Defense1351% (101)38% (34) - - - - - - 8 (55).14 (23)1.4 (10)32% (64)26% (23).16 (15)7% (22)1.7 (9)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
CLEM Defense1357% (136)36% (15) - - - - - - 9 (55).19 (48)1.7 (119)37% (6)28% (51).23 (48)8% (7)2 (80)
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)

Clemson's Power Ratings
Clemson's Power Rating: 7.94  #33
Clemson's Offense Rating: 12.26  #59
Clemson's Defense Rating: 9.32  #22
2026 Talent Rating: 870.00  #31
Blue Chip Ratio: 52%  #12
Clemson's 2026 Expected Record: 7.4 - 5.6
Clemson's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 9.5  #34
Clemson's Offense SP+ Rating: 27.5  #65
Clemson's Defense SP+ Rating: 18.9  #24

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

Power Ratings Matchup
Clemson: 7.94   California: 3.01

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Clemson: 9.5   California: -3.2




California's Power Ratings
California's Power Rating: 3.01  #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


Clemson Scoring
Offense: 27.2 PPG
Offense on Road: 29.6
Defense: 20.5 PPG
Defense on Road: 15.4

Clemson'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
Clemson 27
California 22

Projected Total Points: 49
California Scoring
Offense: 25.3 PPG
Offense at Home: 27.2
Defense: 27.2 PPG
Defense at Home: 24.3

California'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
TeamWinsCoversO/U
California000 Overs
Clemson000 Unders

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

(#33) CLEM at (#47) CAL
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatCLEMCAL
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #33 #47
SP+SP+ #34 #80
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #31 #29
Blue ChipsBC% #12 #88
Clemson on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
CLEM OffCAL Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #67 #79
ExplosiveExp #70 #31
PPAPPA #55 #71
PowerPwr #59 #43
SP+SP+ #65 #72
Pts POPPO #59 #71
HavocHav #59 #80
Clemson Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
CLEM OffCAL Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #81 #118
Run ExplRExp #90 #82
PPAExp #75 #122
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #60 #129
Stuff RateStuff #49 #134
TackleTak - NR
Clemson Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
CLEM OffCAL Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #56 #34
Pass ExplPExl #98 #10
PPAExp #58 #23
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #47 #116
DB HavocDB #86 #22
California on Offense
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCatCAL OffCLEM Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #95 #18
ExplosiveExp #65 #122
PPAPPA #98 #42
PowerPwr #51 #22
SP+SP+ #77 #24
Pts POPPO #66 #9
HavocHav #91 #9
California Run Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCat
CAL OffCLEM Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #119 #41
Run ExplRExp #102 #60
PPAExp #133 #29
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #120 #27
Stuff RateStuff #58 #16
TackleTak - NR
California Pass Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCatCAL OffCLEM Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #57 #15
Pass ExplPExl #108 #119
PPAExp #78 #48
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #74 #20
DB HavocDB #105 #7
Program Comparison
CAL 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'26 Profile: Remains Top G5

CLEM 5 Year Profile: Consistent Average P4
'26 Profile: Remains Average P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in California Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
No Matchups Past 4 Years
  
CLEM's OC Chad Morris (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Christopher Vizzina457163%406415.7
Trent Pearman2540%35007.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Chris Johnson Jr. (Tr)6747947.187
Gideon Davidson6026004.328
Chris Denson7108115.450
David Eziomume167104.419
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
T.J. Moore52837416.175
Bryant Wesco Jr.31537617.373
Tristan Smith24239110.023
Christian Bentancur20215310.845

View Clemson's Full Roster

CLEM's DC Tom Allen (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Sammy Brown10714665
Corey Myrick (Tr)915014
Ronan Hanafin642004
Will Heldt46156102
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Will Heldt46156102
Sammy Brown10714665
Jaheim Lawson197443
Champ Thompson31111
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ashton Hampton453108
Sammy Brown10714665
Branden Strozier211005

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