Pittsburgh at California - 2026 Matchup Preview
Pittsburgh logo Pittsburgh Panthers at California Golden BearsCalifornia logo
Saturday, November 28th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
California Memorial Stadium - Berkeley, CA

 
Panthers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Pat Narduzzi (80 - 61)
Avg Score : 34 - 25 (33 - 25 on Road)
Record Prediction: 8.5 - 4.5 (#41)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: ) (Good: ) (Avg: ) (Bad: 0)
PITT 2nd straight Road Game
CAL 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: Pittsburgh -5  (SP+ PITT -11.5)
Projected Score: PITT: 30 - CAL: 25 (55)
PITT Win prob: 63% | Cover: 48%
PITT Travel: 2248 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)
 
Pittsburgh's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Pittsburgh vs Miami (OH)-14.5
Sat 9/12 Pittsburgh vs UCF-13
Thu 9/17 Pittsburgh vs Syracuse-18
Sat 9/26 Pittsburgh vs Bucknell-31.5
Fri 10/2 Pittsburgh at Virginia Tech-7.5
Sat 10/10 Pittsburgh vs North Carolina-11.5
Sat 10/17 Pittsburgh at Boston College-10
Sat 10/24 Pittsburgh at Miami+17.5
Sat 10/31 Pittsburgh vs Georgia Tech-4
BYE WEEK
Fri 11/13 Pittsburgh vs Florida State-3
Sat 11/21 Pittsburgh at Louisville+5
Sat 11/28 Pittsburgh at California-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 Pittsburgh'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
PITT#57 (.19)41% (94)33.741% (96)2.63 (122)11841% (75)2743.65 (74)#24 (.08)35% (11)24.834% (7)37% (23)3.81 (82)67.41.81.6
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
PITT0%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
PITT Offense1333.73340.6%3.651.8213911182743.643%55%41%41%18%.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
PITT Defense1324.824.635.1%3.811.6 - - - - - 46%52%34%37%19%.08
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
Pittsburgh1328:5520.833%61%7.367.41.81.67.72.4633.3
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
PITT Offense1343% (115)41% (96)33.1117.73.618 (70).06 (97)2.63 (122)67% (97)11% (107)1.01 (51)
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
PITT Defense1346% (26)34% (7) - - - - -.06 (7)2.34 (6)69% (53)13% (8)0.96 (69)
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
PITT Offense1355% (23)41% (75)22.235.7273.57.712.329 (8)15 (127).34 (40)1.7 (29)33% (103)31% (63).35 (53)8% (123)2 (66)
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
PITT Defense1352% (109)37% (23) - - - - - - 15 (31).21 (53)1.6 (110)37% (8)26% (19).17 (20)6% (47)2.1 (92)
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)

Pittsburgh's Power Ratings
Pittsburgh's Power Rating: 7.90  #34
Pittsburgh's Offense Rating: 12.38  #58
Pittsburgh's Defense Rating: 9.48  #23
2026 Talent Rating: 782.00  #60
Blue Chip Ratio: 4%  #56
Pittsburgh's 2026 Expected Record: 8.5 - 4.5
Pittsburgh's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 8.4  #36
Pittsburgh's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.6  #39
Pittsburgh's Defense SP+ Rating: 23.5  #47

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

Power Ratings Matchup
Pittsburgh: 7.90   California: 3.01

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Pittsburgh: 8.4   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


Pittsburgh Scoring
Offense: 33.7 PPG
Offense on Road: 33
Defense: 24.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 24.6

Pittsburgh'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
Pittsburgh 30
California 25

Projected Total Points: 55
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
202410/12Pittsburgh17California15Pittsburgh -3.5California57.5Under
TeamWinsCoversO/U
California010 Overs
Pittsburgh101 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams1 - 00 - 10 - 10 - 0
Road Teams0 - 11 - 00 - 01 - 0

(#34) PITT at (#47) CAL
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatPITTCAL
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #34 #47
SP+SP+ #36 #80
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #60 #29
Blue ChipsBC% #56 #88
Pittsburgh on Offense
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
PITT OffCAL Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #94 #79
ExplosiveExp #10 #31
PPAPPA #57 #71
PowerPwr #58 #43
SP+SP+ #39 #72
Pts POPPO #74 #71
HavocHav #120 #80
Pittsburgh Run Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
PITT OffCAL Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #96 #118
Run ExplRExp #51 #82
PPAExp #97 #122
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #122 #129
Stuff RateStuff #129 #134
TackleTak - NR
Pittsburgh Pass Game
Pass heavy Offense 55%, Run: 43%
CategoryCat
PITT OffCAL Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #75 #34
Pass ExplPExl #29 #10
PPAExp #40 #23
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #107 #116
DB HavocDB #123 #22
California on Offense
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCatCAL OffPITT Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #95 #11
ExplosiveExp #65 #119
PPAPPA #98 #24
PowerPwr #51 #23
SP+SP+ #77 #47
Pts POPPO #66 #82
HavocHav #91 #13
California Run Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCat
CAL OffPITT Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #119 #7
Run ExplRExp #102 #69
PPAExp #133 #7
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #120 #6
Stuff RateStuff #58 #7
TackleTak - NR
California Pass Game
Very Pass heavy Offense 60%, Run: 39%
CategoryCatCAL OffPITT Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #57 #23
Pass ExplPExl #108 #110
PPAExp #78 #53
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #74 #8
DB HavocDB #105 #47
Program Comparison
CAL 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'26 Profile: Remains Top G5

PITT 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Up to Average P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in California Memorial Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Pittsburgh beat California in 2024 (17-15)

  
PITT's OC Kade Bell (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Mason Heintschel20131664%23571687.5
Holden Geriner (Tr)010%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Ja'Kyrian Turner14074775.356
La'Vell Wright (Tr)85471105.539
Mason Heintschel868821.036
Justin Cook93103.413
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Cataurus Hicks24422417.684
Bryce Yates11202118.468
Elijah Lagg (Tr)2016408.217
Ja'Kyrian Turner2515006.028

View Pittsburgh's Full Roster

PITT's DC Randy Bates (been DC for 3 years)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Braylan Lovelace796162
Cruce Brookins531002
Demarco Ward (Tr)503010
Alex Sanford474001
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jimmy Scott178481
Isaiah Neal367441
Cameron Lindsey326201
Zach Crothers153210
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Shadarian Harrison290003
Josh Guerrier80003
Braylan Lovelace796162

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