Pick details
| MATCHUP | California Golden Bears | Syracuse Orange |
|---|---|---|
| Team Records | 0-1 | 1-0 |
| Spread | +3.5 -110 | -3.5 -110 |
| Moneyline | +154 | -185 |
| Total | Over 56.5 (-112) | Under 56.5 (-108) |
| Where | JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY | |
| When | Saturday, September 12, 2026 | |
| Time | 03:30 PM EDT | |
| TV | ACC Network | |
Cal Golden Bears Betting Preview
The Cal Golden Bears lost to UCLA and play Wagner next. Cal looks to avoid its first 0-2 start since the 2021 season. Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele is completing 58.5 percent of his passes for 271 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Ian Strong and Chase Hendricks have combined for 160 receiving yards and 1 touchdown, while Mason Mini has 4 receptions.
The Cal Golden Bears ground game is averaging 119 yards per contest, and Adam Mohammed leads the way with 120 yards and 1 touchdown. Defensively, Cal is allowing 45 points and 461 yards per game. Kingston Lopa leads the Cal Golden Bears with 7 tackles, Nate Burrell has 1 sack, and Ricky Fletcher has 1 pass deflection.
Syracuse Orange Betting Preview
The Syracuse Orange beat New Hampshire and play Pitt next. Syracuse looks for two straight wins since September last year. Steve Angeli is completing 69 percent of his passes for 263 yards, 3 touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Umari Hatcher and David Clement have combined for 182 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, while Cole Weaver has 3 receptions.
The Syracuse Orange ground game is averaging 239 yards per contest, and Shavane Anderson Jr. leads the way with 102 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, Syracuse is allowing 3 points and 159 yards per game. Braheem Long Jr. leads the Syracuse Orange with 7 tackles, Keyshawn Johnson has 2.5 sacks, and Rashard Perry has 1 interception.
Why the Syracuse Orange will win
- Syracuse has won 17 of its last 18 September games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams.
- California has lost five of its last six games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- California has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- The favorite has covered the spread in each of Syracuse’s last three games.
- California has lost the first half in each of its last three games in September.
Why the California Golden Bears will win
- Syracuse has lost eight of its last nine games.
- California has won each of its last three road openers.
- California has covered the spread in nine of its last 10 road openers.
- Syracuse has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games against conference opponents at JMA Wireless Dome.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Syracuse’s last four games against conference opponents at JMA Wireless Dome have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Each of California’s last four games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone OVER the total points line.
Syracuse Orange Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 2, Julian McFadden ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.
California Golden Bears Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 2, Adam Mohammed ranks 11th amongst FBS players for rushing attempts (28) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Syracuse ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q2 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- Syracuse ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q3 opponent points per game this season (0.0).
- California ranks T137th among FBS teams for average point differential in fourth quarters this season (-21.0).
- California ranks T136th among FBS teams for Q4 opponent points per game this season (21.0).
California vs Syracuse Prediction
Cal has a talented quarterback who will keep his team in games, but that defense is spotty and makes me question if it can get across the finish line. This is also a tough trip across the country after playing a tough contest against UCLA last week. Syracuse is a physical team that wants to run the ball and bully opponents. I’m not sure Cal is up to the task after seeing what we saw last week. The Golden Bears have to toughen up. I’ll lay the reasonable number with Syracuse.
