How many games will California win in 2026?

The model's expected win total for California is 3.5 wins.

Season Predictions College Football Playoff Bracket Game Predictions Track record Pricing Follow on X

ACC · 2026 outlook · updated Sep 8, 2026

California Football 2026 Season Prediction

Q: What is California's projected record for 2026?

Backdoor Cover's statistical model projects California to finish 3-9 in 2026, about 3.5 expected wins.

Backdoor Cover’s college football model projects California to finish 3-9 in 2026, with 3.5 expected wins. That’s down 2.6 wins from our preseason number.

0-1

record so far

3-9

projected record

3.5 ▼2.6 vs preseason

win total (expected wins)

Our statistical model projects California to finish 3-9 in 2026, with 3.5 expected wins. The model gives California a 0% chance to win the ACC outright.

Model called 0 of 1 of California’s games right so far this season.

Get a free pick every week

Game-by-game

Played games show the result and whether the model called it (✓/✗). Upcoming games show win probability.

Week	Opponent	Result / win prob
Wk 1	vs UCLA	Lost 24–45 ✗
Wk 2	@ Syracuse	19%
Wk 3	vs Wagner	93%
Wk 4	vs Clemson	31%
Wk 5	@ UNLV	35%
Wk 6	vs Virginia Tech	1%
Wk 7	vs Wake Forest	14%
Wk 8	@ SMU	6%
Wk 9	@ NC State	58%
Wk 11	@ Virginia	12%
Wk 12	vs Stanford	72%
Wk 13	vs Pittsburgh	5%

Win-total distribution

1 wins

2 wins

17%

3 wins

31%

4 wins

29%

5 wins

15%

6 wins

7 wins

What subscribers get

Everything above is the free model. California has a 0% shot at the ACC title game in the model. Subscribers get the full picture — and the picks we actually bet.

This week’s picks

Our actual bet card — every spread and underdog, with the unit size we’re using.

The full interactive projections

California’s conference title odds, the projected 12-team playoff bracket, and week-by-week movement.

Full prediction exports

Every game’s projected spread and win probability, downloadable as a CSV.

Your first week guaranteed

If your first paid week loses, the next one is on us.

Get weekly picks $9.99 per week, or $99 for the season

New members’ first week is 99¢ — and the first losing week’s on us. 2026 picks verified on Juice Reel.

The record you’re buying into

53–21

ATS since Week 8, 2025

71.6% on the filtered picks

See every graded pick

More: ACC projections · all 2026 team predictions · this week’s games · track record

Projections are model output for informational and entertainment purposes only. Not betting advice. You must be 21 or older, or the legal age where you are. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.