Wake Forest at California - 2026 Matchup Preview

Wake Forest Demon Deacons at California Golden Bears

Saturday, October 17th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
California Memorial Stadium - Berkeley, CA (ACC)

Demon Deacons (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jake Dickert (9 - 4)
Avg Score : 28 - 22 (25 - 27 on Road)
Record Prediction: 7.2 - 4.8 (#43)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 5) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)

WAKE 2nd straight Road Game
CAL 2nd straight Home Game
CAL is playing their 7th straight game
WAKE is playing their 7th straight game
Our Line: Wake Forest -2 (SP+ WAKE -9)
Projected Score: WAKE: 27 - CAL: 25 (52)
WAKE Win prob: 55% | Cover: 50%
WAKE Travel: 2301 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: 6.2 - 5.8 (#57)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 6) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)

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

Wake Forest's 2026 Schedule
Date	Matchup	Spread	Total	Result	O/U	Cover
Thu 9/3	Wake Forest vs Akron	-23
Sat 9/12	Wake Forest at Purdue	-8
Fri 9/18	Wake Forest vs Miami	+14.5
Sat 9/26	Wake Forest at Louisville	+7.5
Sat 10/3	Wake Forest vs Stanford	-15
Sat 10/10	Wake Forest at NC State	+3.5
Sat 10/17	Wake Forest at California	-2
	BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31	Wake Forest vs Virginia	+1
Sat 11/7	Wake Forest vs Merrimack	-31
Sat 11/14	Wake Forest at SMU	+9
Sat 11/21	Wake Forest at Georgia Tech	+4
Sat 11/28	Wake Forest vs Duke	-3

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 5, Avg 2, Bad 1, Poor 2
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 5, 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 Wake Forest's Schedule

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

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
WAKE	#82 (.15)	38% (112)	28.1	40% (100)	2.79 (101)	156	37% (115)	238	3.23 (113)	#6 (.03)	35% (8)	22.1	37% (12)	33% (7)	3.24 (31)	69.5	1.6	1.2
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

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
WAKE		0%		0%	0	0	0%	0	0		0%		0%	0%	0	0	0	0
CAL		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
WAKE Offense	13	28.1	24.8	38.4%	3.23	1.6	19	394	156	238	4.5	50%	49%	40%	37%	16%	.15
CAL Defense	13	27.2	24.3	42.3%	3.69	1.1	-	-	-	-	-	46%	51%	47%	38%	15%	.17

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
WAKE Defense	13	22.1	27.4	35.1%	3.24	1.2	-	-	-	-	-	47%	51%	37%	33%	18%	.03
CAL Offense	13	25.3	27.2	40.6%	3.7	1.2	20	358	83	275	2.8	39%	60%	38%	43%	16%	.12

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
Wake Forest	13	29:04	19	40%	55%	7.4	69.5	1.6	1.2	7.4	2.3	3	30.7
California	13	30:14	19.9	40%	52%	7.8	64.6	1.2	1.1	4.6	1.5	0	27.1

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
WAKE Offense	13	50% (61)	40% (100)	34.8	156.2	4.5	23 (49)	.11 (67)	2.79 (101)	79% (21)	9% (71)	1.12 (11)
CAL Defense	13	46% (27)	47% (118)	-	-	-	-	.21 (122)	3.32 (129)	85% (131)	8% (116)	0.98 (82)

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
WAKE Defense	13	47% (34)	37% (12)	-	-	-	-	-.02 (10)	2.49 (9)	64% (22)	12% (11)	0.88 (27)
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)

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
WAKE Offense	13	49% (73)	37% (115)	17.8	31.2	237.7	7.6	13.3	18 (106)	11 (34)	.25 (69)	1.7 (12)	33% (93)	28% (95)	.33 (60)	6% (78)	2.3 (8)
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)

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
WAKE Defense	13	51% (102)	33% (7)	-	-	-	-	-	-	4 (100)	.1 (12)	1.5 (56)	36% (10)	25% (13)	.13 (13)	6% (62)	2 (60)
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)

Wake Forest's Power Ratings
Wake Forest's Power Rating: 9.41 #39
Wake Forest's Offense Rating: 12.65 #71
Wake Forest's Defense Rating: 8.24 #24
2026 Talent Rating: 896.00 #35
Blue Chip Ratio: 1% #88
Wake Forest's 2026 Expected Record: 7.2 - 4.8
Wake Forest's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 5.7 #52
Wake Forest's Offense SP+ Rating: 26.6 #70
Wake Forest's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.9 #34

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 905.41
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Power Ratings Matchup
Wake Forest: 9.41 California: 5.52

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Wake Forest: 5.7 California: -3.2

California's Power Ratings
California's Power Rating: 5.52 #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

Wake Forest Scoring
Offense: 28.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 24.8
Defense: 22.1 PPG
Defense on Road: 27.4

Wake Forest'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
Wake Forest 27
California 25

Projected Total Points: 52

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

Year	Date	Home	Score	Away	Score	Spread	Cover	Total	O/U
2024	11/08	Wake Forest	36	California	46	California -7.5	California	54.5	Over

Team	Wins	Covers	O/U
California	1	1	1 Overs
Wake Forest	0	0	0 Unders

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

(#39) WAKE at (#41) CAL

Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCat	WAKE	CAL
Net PPPPPP	NR	NR
Power RatePwr	#39	#41
SP+SP+	#52	#80
Perf GradeGrade	NR	NR
OffenseOff	NR	NR
DefenseDef	NR	NR
Spec TeamsST	NR	NR
TalentTal	#35	#32
Blue ChipsBC%	#88	#47

Wake Forest Notes(2/17) Vibes: Great, Dickert a home run hire & 1st year
(2/4) QB Lopez was G5 electric, but meh at NC in '25
(2/4) RB has pieces but rotation from 2 portals, depth
(2/4) WR 6 portals, 4 have good exp, should be solid
(2/4) OL is counting on G5 risers, but good exp & prod
(2/4) DL solid unit w exp, production & depth.
(2/4) LB another solid unit w exp, prod & depth
(2/4) CBs have significant ?, S real solid with depth
(2/4) Good staff, good looking Def. Can Lopez find it?
Wake Forest Injury Report

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

Wake Forest on Offense

Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat	WAKE Off	CAL Def
PPPOffPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#112	#79
ExplosiveExp	#5	#31
PPAPPA	#82	#71
PowerPwr	#71	#49
SP+SP+	#70	#72
Pts POPPO	#113	#71
HavocHav	#70	#80

Wake Forest Run Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat	WAKE Off	CAL Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#100	#118
Run ExplRExp	#11	#82
PPAExp	#67	#122
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#101	#129
Stuff RateStuff	#62	#134
TackleTak	-	NR

Wake Forest Pass Game

Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat	WAKE Off	CAL Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#115	#34
Pass ExplPExl	#12	#10
PPAExp	#69	#23
Pass Rush/BlockP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#71	#116
DB HavocDB	#78	#22

California on Offense

Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCat	CAL Off	WAKE Def
PPPDefPPP	NR	NR
Perf GradePerf	NR	NR
SuccessSuc	#95	#8
ExplosiveExp	#65	#43
PPAPPA	#98	#6
PowerPwr	#36	#24
SP+SP+	#77	#34
Pts POPPO	#66	#31
HavocHav	#91	#21

California Run Game

Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCat	CAL Off	WAKE Def
Run GameRun	NR	NR
Run SuccessRSuc	#119	#12
Run ExplRExp	#102	#27
PPAExp	#133	#10
Run BlockR Blk	NR	-
OL YdsOLY	#120	#9
Stuff RateStuff	#58	#4
TackleTak	-	NR

California Pass Game

Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCat	CAL Off	WAKE Def
Pass GamePass	NR	NR
Pass SuccessPSuc	#57	#7
Pass ExplPExl	#108	#56
PPAExp	#78	#12
Pass Block/RushP Blk	NR	NR
F7 HavocF7	#74	#11
DB HavocDB	#105	#62

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

WAKE 5 Year Profile: Improving Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

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

Previous Matchups
California beat Wake Forest in 2024 (46-36)

WAKE's OC Rob Ezell (in his second season)

Player Name	COMP	ATT	PCT	YDS	TD	INT	YPA
Giovanni Lopez	170	261	65%	1747	10	5	6.7
Steele Pizzella	0	1	0%	0	0	0	0.0

Player Name	CAR	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Sawyer Seidl (Tr)	188	897	13	4.8	41
Ty Clark III	75	323	3	4.3	15
Giovanni Lopez	86	133	3	1.5	17
KD Daniels (Tr)	28	120	1	4.3	16

Player Name	REC	YDS	TD	YPC	LONG
Carlos Hernandez	40	611	3	15.3	93
Wondame Davis Jr. (Tr)	25	604	6	24.2	75
Drayden Dickmann (Tr)	37	323	3	8.7	46
Ty Clark III	17	209	1	12.3	62

View Wake Forest's Full Roster

WAKE's DC Scottie Hazelton (in his second season)

Top Def	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Davaughn Patterson	80	4	0	4	9
Aiden Hall	73	8	0	2	3
Langston Hardy	65	15	7	9	0
Frank Cusano	45	2	1	2	1

Sacks	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Langston Hardy	65	15	7	9	0
Gabe Kirschke	37	9	5	4	0
Dallas Afalava	33	6	4	8	1
Bernard Causey III (Tr)	19	2	1	0	6

Pass D	Tack	TFL	SACKS	PRESS	PD
Davaughn Patterson	80	4	0	4	9
Bernard Causey III (Tr)	19	2	1	0	6
Brian Blades	26	0	0	0	5

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