It’s here, and it’s glorious. College football is back, and the hype around the California Golden Bears has been unlike anything we’ve seen for over a decade now. So much has changed for Cal since the conclusion of last season, with the most notable move being the firing of head coach Justin Wilcox, followed by the hiring of head coach Tosh Lupoi. Of course, Cal still has their golden arm in returning quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. It should be an exciting season for this revamped Cal team, and we will break down their 2026 football schedule along with my predictions for each game below.

2026 Cal Football Schedule Predictions

Game 1: vs. UCLA Bruins

What better way to start the season than at home against an old familiar foe and longtime rival? This game has been circled on the calendar for a long time for both schools. For both teams, a sense of rejuvenation has taken over this offseason. Each program has a new coaching staff and found great success in the transfer portal.

This is a banger of a game for Week 1, and honestly, might be the most exciting game in all of college football that week. UCLA is the early betting favorite, but Cal is at home and will be wearing the Joe Roth uniforms. If there’s one thing I can guarantee, it’s that both teams are going to be very desperate for this win. I think Cal squeaks out a win in a tight ball game to start the season 1-0.

Prediction: Cal 33, UCLA 27

Game 2: at Syracuse Orange

A part of me really wants to believe that this Cal team is different from their past. That maybe, just maybe, they won’t drop a winnable game in the early part of the season, but this one is tough. It’s an early conference game, and it’s across the country. Syracuse is a solid team and well-coached.

It’s weird feeling, because if Cal beats UCLA, then I am nervous about the low after such a massive high. Yet, if they lose to UCLA, I think they can get a win in this one. Backwards thinking, I know, but it’s also something that we have seen time and again from this program. Still, I like the Golden Bears on the road to open conference play in this one.

Prediction: Cal 24, Syracuse 17

Game 3: vs. Wagner Seahawks

A sign of the times. Programs are going to try and lobby to get easier games on the schedule early in the season to pad their win totals. It seems that big non-conference games early in the season will soon be a distant memory. Wagner will head into Strawberry Canyon and probably lose by multiple scores in search of a big pay day. That’s okay, because Cal will take the early season win, along with getting reps for players who they might need to rely on later in the season.

Prediction: Cal 45, Wagner 14

Game 4: vs. Clemson Tigers

This is arguably the biggest game on the schedule for the sturdy Golden Bears. This will be the first time these two schools have played one another since Cal joined the ACC two seasons ago. I expect this to be a sold out home crowd in Berkeley with a lot at stake.

I’m really not too sure on Clemson this year. Every season they’re talked about as if they are going to win the ACC, but they haven’t had much success the past few seasons under veteran head coach Dabo Swinney. This game does kind of feel like a let down spot for the Bears. I would be surprised if they won this won, but you never know.

Prediction: Cal 28, Clemson 33

Game 5: at UNLV Rebels

I know what many Cal fans are thinking: a weekend in Vegas and revenge for the LA Bowl two seasons ago.

UNLV is going to be a very tough opponent. For being in the Mountain West, they play fast and physical. Luckily, it’s just a hop, skip, and a jump from Berkeley to Las Vegas.

I know UNLV head coach Dan Mullen is a fan of having bigger schools on his schedule, and will no doubt want to send Cal back home with their tails tucked between their legs. This to me, is a huge opportunity for Tosh Lupoi and his coaching staff to show that this team is different. Cal got schooled last year against a former MWC team, and will be eager to show that things have actually changed.

Prediction: Cal 31, UNLV 17

Game 6: vs. Virginia Tech Hokies

Last season when these two programs faced off, it went into double overtime where Cal eventually lost. I know for a lot of returning players, that they want this one bad. Only this time, Virginia Tech has to travel across the country, and won’t have Sandman to fire them up.

The Hokies are now led by former Penn State head coach James Franklin, who is looking to turn his program into a contender instantly. They had tremendous success in the portal, and at last, there’s real hype for them coming into this season. This is one of the more challenging games on the schedule because we just don’t know how good Virginia Tech will be. I’m going to give this one to the Bears for now, but I will be anxiously following the Hokies this season to see what kind of steps Franklin has them take.

Prediction: Cal 24, Virginia Tech 21

Game 7: vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

This to me, should be a gimme for Tosh Lupoi and his crew. The Demon Deacons have rally struggled playing the game of football for awhile now. They’re still competent, but I just don’t think they have the fire power to match up with this Cal team. Barring any disastrous injuries for the Golden Bears, they should handle Wake Forest at home.

Prediction: Cal 31, Wake Forest 13

Game 8: at SMU Mustangs

This is where the schedule gets tricky. Cal has to go on the road for three straight games, and the first one will be against SMU. The two times these schools have played have been blowouts, with each team beating the other at home.

SMU has a lot of starters returning, most notably, their star quarterback Kevin Jennings. This game will come down to who has the better pass rush. Last season Cal won the battle, and in doing so, won the game. Fresh off a win against Wake Forest, I think the Bears start off the road trip the right way. Yet, don’t be surprised if this turns into an old fashioned shootout.

Prediction: Cal 35, SMU 31

Game 9: at NC State Wolfpack

The second game of the three game road trip comes against the NC State Wolfpack. As of right now, I’m not high on Cal heading into this contest. This is where any injuries the Bears may have sustained earlier in the season start to show up. Tired legs and travel fatigue will also be prevalent, especially if this is an early game. I do expect it to be close, but Cal will suffer their second loss of the season at the hands of the Wolfpack.

Prediction: Cal 21, NC State 31

Game 10: at Virginia Cavaliers

Virginia was a good team last year, and they played the Bears well, beating them handedly in Berkeley. I expect Virginia to be good once again this season and end up near the top of the ACC. Once again, this road trip is going to be very tough and I expect these teams to get into a dogfight. I’m not sure the Bears can pull this one out. Yet, if they do, it could propel them near the top of the conference and ACC title conversation can start to begin. At this time though, there’s too many question marks surrounding this team to comfortably say that.

Prediction: Cal 17, Virginia 23

Game 11: vs. Stanford Cardinal

Revenge.

I don’t think any more needs to be said about this game after the embarrassing loss last year to the Cardinal. This will be Tosh Lupoi’s return to the Big Game since he left long ago. What better way to come back to this rivalry than by beating the brakes off a team who embarrassed you last season? Especially after losing the previous two games, the Bears will come out determined to beat Stanford and bring the axe back where it belongs. Hopefully it’s not close.

Prediction: Cal 27, Stanford 10

Game 12: vs. Pitt Panthers

The last two games of the season are at home and the finale will take place against Pitt. The Panthers will more than likely float around the middle of the pack in the ACC. However, this will be the first time Pitt has traveled to Berkeley in a long time.

Fans of both fanbases want to try and turn this game into a blue and gold rivalry due to both teams having similar colors. I’m not that big on Pitt this season and with Cal beating Stanford the week prior, the Panthers might also be strolling into a blood bath. Cal is going to finish the season strong with two straight home wins.

Prediction: Cal 33, Pitt 21

Final Record: (9-3)

Final Thoughts

There are so many question marks surrounding this Cal team. However, there is also a lot more hope.

Many experts around the league think JKS is going to be in Heisman contention at the end of the season, while also simultaneously thinking that Cal isn’t going to be good. That doesn’t make much sense, though, because if JKS is in those conversations that usually correlates with the player’s team winning games.

First-time head coach Tosh Lupoi is also a big question mark. We’re already seeing what he can do in the transfer portal, and in recruiting. However, can we safely say that he can put it all together and coach a winning football team? I think he can, but there will most certainly be times this season where he has learning lessons. One thing that I am high on though, is his energy. He brings it every single day, and that’s something I think really resonates with players.

This is the most excited I have been for a Cal team in ages. A bolstered offensive line, key additions on defense, a new head coach, much needed firepower added to the skills positions on offense, and most importantly the return of Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele. I’m ready, and I know you all are too.