UCLA at California Week 1 College Football Matchup UCLA at California Matchup - Week 1
Sat, Sep 5 2026 · Week 1 · 🏟 California Memorial Stadium Berkeley, CA · Turf · 62,717 cap
UCLA✈ 343 miSame TZ
Away
VS
Home
Preseason projection — This game has not yet been played and 2026 in-season data is not yet available. Edges are based on 2025 full-season performance. Confidence will increase once in-season games are logged.
📊 Punt & Rally Projection
UCLA
26
California
27
P&R Line California -0.5
P&R Total O/U 53
Confidence 69 Good
Vegas California -3.5 · O/U 53.5
Matchup Prediction
California has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor California entering this game.
Momentum Control
58.4%
California wins
Lean
Game Control
76%
California wins
Strong
Vegas Spread
California -3.5
O/U 53.5
Bovada
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → California · 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
UCLA 2026 Schedule
UCLA's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5UCLA at California+3.553.5
Sat 9/12UCLA vs San Diego State-3.5
Sat 9/19UCLA vs Purdue-13.5
Sat 9/26UCLA at Maryland-1
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/10UCLA at Oregon+21.5
Sat 10/17UCLA vs Wisconsin-10.5
Sat 10/24UCLA vs Michigan State-11
Sat 10/31UCLA vs Nevada-26
Sat 11/7UCLA at Minnesota+0
Sat 11/14UCLA vs Illinois+2
Sat 11/21UCLA at Michigan+11.5
Sat 11/28UCLA vs USC+8.5
California 2026 Schedule
California's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5California vs UCLA-3.553.5
Sat 9/12California at Syracuse-9.5
Sat 9/19California vs Wagner-28
Fri 9/25California vs Clemson+2
Sat 10/3California at UNLV+1.5
Sat 10/10California vs Virginia Tech-9
Sat 10/17California vs Wake Forest-1.5
Fri 10/23California at SMU+13
Fri 10/30California at NC State+4
— Bye Week —
Sat 11/14California at Virginia+5
Sat 11/21California vs Stanford-15
Sat 11/28California vs Pittsburgh+2
Advanced Stats
Advanced Analytics Matchup
Matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense) · 2025 season (prior year)
California PPA Edge
Agreement Signals — When All Metrics Agree
Elite · 83.1% ATS
PPA + PPO + SR + Havoc
All 4 Agree
→ California
Elite · 82.4% ATS
PPA + PPO + Havoc
3 Agree
→ California
Elite · 73.9% ATS
PPA + Success Rate
Both Agree
→ California
Individual Factors — Ranked by Predictive Strength
PPA Overall
Points added per play · Elite predictor
UCLA #96
+0.293
California #98
+0.377
California Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
UCLA #126
+0.239
California #78
+0.558
California Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
UCLA #130
0.120
California #80
0.151
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
California Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
UCLA #124
+6.673
California #66
+8.309
California Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
UCLA #75
+0.842
California #95
+0.908
California Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
UCLA #129
73.6
California #122
72.9
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
California Edge
Advanced stats sourced from CFBD · 2025 season (prior year — 2026 data not yet available) · Edges are matchup-adjusted (offense vs opponent defense)
Power Ratings
Team Power Ratings
Overall · Offense · Defense ratings · Updated as season progresses
UCLA Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
UCLA #34
6.6
California #42
5.3
Offense Rating
UCLA #26
19.6
California #28
19.2
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
UCLA #44
12.9
California #55
13.9
Power ratings updated throughout the season as results accumulate
Momentum Control (CSS)
Consecutive Scoring Sequences Who builds scoring momentum? California Edge
Avg sequences created per game
UCLA #89
0.67
California #56
1.00
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
UCLA #119
2.08
California #80
1.33
California +0.33
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 58.4% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Game Control (GC)
Win Probability Dominance Who controls games start to finish? California Edge
Avg GC score per game (offense)
UCLA #88
23.4
California #51
46.5
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
UCLA #132
65.6
California #62
36.3
California +23.1
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 76% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
UCLA
Bob Chesney #20
0–0 (0%) · Yr 1 at school
OC Dean Kennedy Yr 1 #21
DC Colin Hitschler Yr 1 #36
Staff Rating
3.53 #17
California
Tosh Lupoi #77
0–0 (0%) · Yr 1 at school
OC Jordan Somerville Yr 1 #67
DC Michael Hutchings Yr 1 #68
Staff Rating
2.50 #89
About these metrics
Advanced Stats shows matchup-adjusted factor edges (offense vs opponent defense). Combination signals — when PPA, PPO, Success Rate, and Havoc all point the same direction — have historically predicted the SU winner in 95–97% of games and the ATS winner in 82–83% of games (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS, regular season).
Impact: Advanced Stats are the best performance based metric used to predict the outcome of games.

Momentum Control (CSS) measures consecutive scoring sequences — when a team scores, holds the opponent scoreless, then scores again. Teams entering a game with a CSS edge of +1.0 or more have won 71–78% of games historically (2021–2025, FBS vs FBS).
Impact: Momentum Control is a great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Game Control (GC) measures win probability dominance — how thoroughly a team controlled the game from start to finish. Teams with a GC edge of +12 or more have won 67–76% of games historically. When both metrics agree, combined confidence is higher. When they split, treat as a lean at best.
Impact: Game Control is another great measure for predicting game outcome but NOT an ATS advantage, data shows this is already considered when lines are set.

Power Ratings are a custom-built composite of a Teams Talent, Experience & Production, Coaching & Performance Metrics. These are updated constantly with roster changes, performance once the games start for the 2026 season, injuries the team is dealing with and scheduling situations.
Impact: There are a wide range of power ratings available, we think ours is the best, you can decide for yourself