Wake Forest at California - 2026 Matchup Preview
Wake Forest logo Wake Forest Demon Deacons at California Golden BearsCalifornia logo
Saturday, October 17th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
California Memorial Stadium - Berkeley, CA

 
Demon Deacons (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jake Dickert (9 - 4)
Avg Score : 28 - 22 (25 - 27 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.6 - 4.4 (#37)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
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 -3  (SP+ WAKE -9)
Projected Score: WAKE: 28 - CAL: 25 (52)
WAKE Win prob: 56% | Cover: 47%
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: 0 - 0 (#134)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 0) (Avg: 0) (Bad: 0)
 
Wake Forest's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3 Wake Forest vs Akron-24
Sat 9/12 Wake Forest at Purdue-7
Fri 9/18 Wake Forest vs Miami+15
Sat 9/26 Wake Forest at Louisville+7
Sat 10/3 Wake Forest vs Stanford-13.5
Sat 10/10 Wake Forest at NC State+3.5
Sat 10/17 Wake Forest at California-3
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/31 Wake Forest vs Virginia-0
Sat 11/7 Wake Forest vs Merrimack-29.5
Sat 11/14 Wake Forest at SMU+8
Sat 11/21 Wake Forest at Georgia Tech+3.5
Sat 11/28 Wake Forest vs Duke-4.5

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 Wake Forest'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
WAKE#82 (.15)38% (112)28.140% (100)2.79 (101)15637% (115)2383.23 (113)#6 (.03)35% (8)22.137% (12)33% (7)3.24 (31)69.51.61.2
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
WAKE0%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
WAKE Offense1328.124.838.4%3.231.6193941562384.550%49%40%37%16%.15
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
WAKE Defense1322.127.435.1%3.241.2 - - - - - 47%51%37%33%18%.03
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
Wake Forest1329:041940%55%7.469.51.61.27.42.3330.7
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
WAKE Offense1350% (61)40% (100)34.8156.24.523 (49).11 (67)2.79 (101)79% (21)9% (71)1.12 (11)
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
WAKE Defense1347% (34)37% (12) - - - - -.02 (10)2.49 (9)64% (22)12% (11)0.88 (27)
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
WAKE Offense1349% (73)37% (115)17.831.2237.77.613.318 (106)11 (34).25 (69)1.7 (12)33% (93)28% (95).33 (60)6% (78)2.3 (8)
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
WAKE Defense1351% (102)33% (7) - - - - - - 4 (100).1 (12)1.5 (56)36% (10)25% (13).13 (13)6% (62)2 (60)
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)

Wake Forest's Power Ratings
Wake Forest's Power Rating: 6.46  #36
Wake Forest's Offense Rating: 8.68  #80
Wake Forest's Defense Rating: 7.22  #16
2026 Talent Rating: 854.00  #34
Blue Chip Ratio: 3%  #65
Wake Forest's 2026 Expected Record: 8.6 - 4.4
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 854.47
Average Power Five Talent: 883.28
Average FBS Talent: 705.75

Power Ratings Matchup
Wake Forest: 6.46   California: 3.01

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Wake Forest: 5.7   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


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 28
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


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/08Wake Forest36California46California -7.5California54.5Over
TeamWinsCoversO/U
California111 Overs
Wake Forest000 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams0 - 10 - 10 - 00 - 1
Road Teams1 - 01 - 01 - 00 - 0

(#36) WAKE at (#47) CAL
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatWAKECAL
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #36 #47
SP+SP+ #52 #80
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #34 #29
Blue ChipsBC% #65 #88
Wake Forest on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
WAKE OffCAL Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #112 #79
ExplosiveExp #5 #31
PPAPPA #82 #71
PowerPwr #80 #43
SP+SP+ #70 #72
Pts POPPO #113 #71
HavocHav #70 #80
Wake Forest Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
WAKE OffCAL Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #100 #118
Run ExplRExp #11 #82
PPAExp #67 #122
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #101 #129
Stuff RateStuff #62 #134
TackleTak - NR
Wake Forest Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
WAKE OffCAL Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #115 #34
Pass ExplPExl #12 #10
PPAExp #69 #23
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #71 #116
DB HavocDB #78 #22
California on Offense
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCatCAL OffWAKE Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #95 #8
ExplosiveExp #65 #43
PPAPPA #98 #6
PowerPwr #51 #16
SP+SP+ #77 #34
Pts POPPO #66 #31
HavocHav #91 #21
California Run Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCat
CAL OffWAKE Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #119 #12
Run ExplRExp #102 #27
PPAExp #133 #10
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #120 #9
Stuff RateStuff #58 #4
TackleTak - NR
California Pass Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCatCAL OffWAKE Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #57 #7
Pass ExplPExl #108 #56
PPAExp #78 #12
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
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 NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Giovanni Lopez17026165%17471056.7
Wondame Davis Jr. (Tr)010%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ty Clark III7532334.315
Giovanni Lopez8613331.517
KD Daniels (Tr)2812014.316
JaMario Clements226302.99
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Carlos Hernandez40611315.393
Wondame Davis Jr. (Tr)25604624.275
Drayden Dickmann (Tr)3732338.746
Ty Clark III17209112.362

View Wake Forest's Full Roster

WAKE's DC Scottie Hazelton (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Davaughn Patterson804049
Aiden Hall738023
Langston Hardy6515790
Quincy Bryant572010
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Langston Hardy6515790
Gabe Kirschke379540
Dallas Afalava336481
Bernard Causey III (Tr)192106
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Davaughn Patterson804049
Bernard Causey III (Tr)192106
Braylon Johnson381114

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