California at Syracuse Week 2 College Football Matchup California at Syracuse Matchup - Week 2
Sat, Sep 12 2026 · Week 2 · 🏟 Carrier Dome Syracuse, NY · Turf · 49,250 cap
California✈ 2,419 mi+3 hr TZ
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
California
32
Syracuse
22
P&R Line California -9.5
P&R Total O/U 54
Confidence 69 Good
Matchup Prediction
California has the edge in this matchup
Both Momentum Control (CSS) and Game Control metrics favor California entering this game.
Momentum Control
61.3%
California wins
Lean
Game Control
75.9%
California wins
Solid
Advanced Stats
All 4 factors agree → California · 83.1% ATS historically when all four align
↓ See full breakdown
🏠 Syracuse 2nd straight Home Game
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
Syracuse 2026 Schedule
Syracuse's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5Syracuse vs New Hampshire-16
Sat 9/12Syracuse vs California+9.5
Thu 9/17Syracuse at Pittsburgh+19
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/3Syracuse at UConn+11.5
Sat 10/10Syracuse at Virginia+16.5
Sat 10/17Syracuse vs Louisville+16.5
Sat 10/24Syracuse at North Carolina+7
Fri 10/30Syracuse vs SMU+20
Fri 11/6Syracuse vs Clemson+14
Sat 11/14Syracuse at NC State+16
Sat 11/21Syracuse at Boston College+3
Sat 11/28Syracuse vs Notre Dame+29.5
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
California #98
+0.400
Syracuse #127
+0.203
California Edge
PPA Passing
Pass efficiency edge · Strong predictor
California #78
+0.665
Syracuse #124
+0.242
California Edge
Havoc Total
Def. disruption rate · Strong predictor
California #80
0.151
Syracuse #114
0.134
TFLs, sacks, PBUs, forced fumbles — higher is better
California Edge
Points Per Opp
Drive-finishing edge · Strong predictor
California #66
+7.853
Syracuse #123
+6.674
California Edge
Success Rate
Play consistency edge · Solid predictor
California #95
+0.860
Syracuse #117
+0.800
California Edge
Field Position
Avg start (lower=better) · Solid predictor
California #122
72.9
Syracuse #109
72.4
Avg yards from own endzone to average start — lower is better · longer bar = better field position
Syracuse 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
California Rated Higher
Overall Power Rating
California #42
5.3
Syracuse #84
-2.2
Offense Rating
California #28
19.2
Syracuse #62
16.0
Defense Rating (lower = better defense)
California #55
13.9
Syracuse #102
18.2
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
California #56
1.00
Syracuse #126
0.27
Avg sequences allowed per game (lower is better)
California #80
1.33
Syracuse #109
1.82
California +0.73
CSS Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 61.3% 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)
California #51
46.5
Syracuse #110
24.9
Avg GC score allowed per game (lower is better)
California #62
36.3
Syracuse #130
63.9
California +21.6
GC Edge (season-to-date)
Teams with this edge win 75.9% of games historically
Based on 2025 full season · preseason estimate
Coaching Matchup
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
Syracuse
Fran Brown #68
13–12 (52%) · Yr 3 at school
OC Jeff Nixon Yr 2 #67
DC Vince Kehres Yr 1 #5
Staff Rating
3.10 #41
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: CSS is not a predictive 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: GS is not a predictive 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