Cal Football: 2025 Game-By-Game Schedule Predictions

The 2025 season for the California Golden Bears is upon us. Justin Wilcox will lead this squad into battle for his eighth straight year. Last season, it seemed like Cal was poised for a breakout after starting strong, but ultimately unraveled as they lost multiple games by one score. With a lot of firepower leaving both sides of the ball, can Justin Wilcox right the ship and produce a winning season for Cal fans? We’ll go through each game of the Cal Bears’ 2025 football schedule with predictions for each matchup.

Cal Football: 2025 Game-By-Game Schedule Predictions

August 30: at Oregon State Beavers

Typically, you would like to see Cal schedule a cupcake game to start off the year. Yes, Cal beat the Beavers in a blowout last season at home. However, Oregon State reloaded through the transfer portal are now the favorites to beat the Golden Bears in this game. Don’t worry, Cal fans, I don’t see Oregon State winning this game. I know a lot of fans have nightmares about travelling to Corvallis, but Cal is going to win this game.

True Freshman quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele will be under center for this game. He might start out slow, but the defense will hold it down until the offense gets it going.

Prediction: Cal Win (1-0)

September 6: vs. Texas Southern Tigers

This should be a blowout for this Cal team. It’s the home opener, and the fans and alumni will be fired up to watch their team at home after the long offseason. I wish this were the first game of the season for Cal, but if they beat Oregon State, going 2-0 to start the season would be nice.

This is the game the offense will start to click. Hopefully, JKS lights it up and proves why he is the starting quarterback for this team.

Prediction: Cal Win (2-0)

September 13: vs. Minnesota Golden Gophers

Justin Wilcox versus PJ Fleck feels like a heavyweight bout. These two are the kings of playing good defense and losing one-score games. I’m truly gutted about this game because it can go either way. The homer in me thinks Cal can win this game, and they definitely can. However, the depth in the trenches for Minnesota might be too much to overcome. The Golden Gophers might squeak out of Berkeley with a close win in this one.

I know, starting out the season 3-0 would be awesome. Yet, being 2-1 with a loss to a Big 10 team isn’t so bad either, especially with an inexperienced quarterback.

Prediction: Cal Loss (2-1)

September 20: at San Diego State Aztecs

San Diego State is always a tough opponent. They typically have a good defense, and with an influx of fresh players, their offense will probably be better than last year, too. That being said, Cal will make up for their loss against Minnesota and beat SDSU handily. Going on the road twice in the first four games against OSU and SDSU and getting wins will be a nice way to start the season.

Cal going on the road to get to 3-1 will be a great way for the team to build momentum as they start conference play.

Prediction: Cal Win (3-1)

September 27: at Boston College Eagles

This game will be the official start of conference play for Cal. Going on the road to play a Bill O’Brien-led team will definitely be tough. Still, Cal should make a statement in this game. They’re going to go on the road and establish the run with the new additions of Kendrick Raphael and Brandon High Jr. They are going to start conference play off right with a win.

Boston College is a solid team, but there’s something about this game that makes me think Cal rides the momentum from the start of the season and gets it done.

Prediction: Cal Win (4-1)

October 4: vs. Duke Blue Devils

We all know what happens to a team that plays on the road and then has to come home. Sometimes they look a little sluggish. Unfortunately, I can see that happening to Cal. There’s a good chance that they find their groove in the second half, but it could be too much to overcome against a good Duke team.

This game will be a major test for the defense. Maybe they can squeak this one out if they can contain this high-powered Duke offense early, but time will tell.

Prediction: Cal Loss (4-2)

October 17: vs. North Carolina Tar Heels

After a tough loss to Duke, Cal has a bye and then has to get ready for Bill Belichick and the Tar Heels. This game will also be played on a Friday night, which should give Cal the advantage. With the extra rest and the fact that UNC has to fly across the country to play on a cold Friday night in Berkeley, it smells like a recipe for disaster for them. Cal might win big in this one.

This game will also more than likely be on primetime. A lot of eyes will be settled on Strawberry Canyon for this one. Winning this game could go a long way for Cal in building brand momentum, especially in the Bay Area.

Prediction: Cal Win (5-2)

October 24: at Virginia Tech Hokies

One thing that’s weird about this game is that it is also played on a Friday, so Cal doesn’t get that extra day’s rest to prepare. With that in mind, I’ll be blunt here.

Blacksburg is an incredibly tough place to play. Enter Sandman is one of the elite introductions in all of sports, and not to mention, the Hokies are good. They’re ranked pretty high in the ACC preseason predictions right now. It’s tough to envision the Golden Bears winning this game, but that was said about Auburn last season, too.

Cal has to block out all of the noise and keep the crowd quiet as much as they can in this one.

Prediction: Cal Loss (5-3)

November 1: vs. Virginia Cavaliers

Virginia has struggled in recent years, and I don’t believe they’re going to turn it around this year. Still, they can hang in there sometimes with good teams, so you have to put them away. If Cal can jump on them early, there’s a chance they can possibly blow this team out.

This could be a major breakout game for Sagapolutele. This Virginia defense isn’t good and is susceptible to being picked apart through the air. I’m very interested to see what the offense looks like at this part of the season.

Prediction: Cal Win (6-3)

November 8: at Louisville Cardinals

Jeff Brohm always has a good team, and Louisville is going to be just that this year. If I’m being honest, I’m worried about this one. When Louisville jumps on a team, they do it in a big way. This will be a major test for this defense, especially since they’re on the road.

Cal takes a step back in this one and drops a tough one.

Prediction: Cal Loss (6-4)

November 22: at Stanford

The annual Big Game. Cal vs. Stanford in another historic showdown that’s pitted in a deep-rooted rivalry that’s lasted generations. The Golden Bears will be on the road for this one, but expect Stanford Stadium to be filled with blue and gold. Justin Wilcox is going to deliver once again, only this time, it’s not going to come down to the wire.

Sagapolutele shows the world why he’s the next great Cal quarterback in this one.

Prediction: Cal Win (7-4)

Novemeber 29: vs SMU Mustangs

Cal fans desperately want this team to win eight games this season. It’s unfortunate that the regular-season finale for this team is against a top-three team in the ACC. The Mustangs were in the playoffs last season and handed Cal a bad loss.

However, the Golden Bears are at home. And by that time, JKS could be playing some of his best ball.

With that said, you still have to think the Mustangs edge this one out.

Prediction: Cal Loss (7-5)

Cal Football: Final Thoughts and Predictions on the 2025 Schedule

If Cal goes 7-5, as a fan or as an alumnus, would you bring him back with that result? That’s a tough question the University is going to have to answer after the season. Yes, it would be nice to go to another bowl game, but it depends on how the team plays and whether Ron Rivera believes this coaching staff can develop the young quarterback phenom. That’s still a good season in my opinion, and it’s certainly better than what the national media thinks.

Starting JKS was a bold decision by the coaches, and it’s certainly generated hype. Hype is a good thing. Cal needs all of the hype they can get, and if JKS plays well as the season goes on and the team keeps games tight against good teams, Cal fans should start to believe.