Beat writers agree Syracuse football will defeat California in ACC opener
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Syracuse breezed by New Hampshire for its first win of the 2026 season last weekend. Backed by 239 rushing yards, three passing touchdowns from Steve Angeli in his return to the field and a dominant defensive effort, the Orange prevailed 66-3.
SU’s win was a given. Now, the schedule starts to heat up. The Orange open Atlantic Coast Conference play against California Saturday, a matchup that could help them snag another key win before they’re truly thrust into their gauntlet — which now includes four ranked teams.
The Golden Bears are coming off a 45-24 loss to UCLA, where they looked especially vulnerable. Cal allowed 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter after entering the frame tied at 24. Still, Cal features sophomore quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele, who’s capable of dicing up Syracuse’s defense with his arm and legs.
Here’s how our beat writers think Syracuse (1-0, 0-0 ACC) will fare against Cal (0-1, 0-0 ACC) Saturday:
Noah Nussbaum (1-0)
Winners get washed 2.0
Syracuse 30, Cal 24
The last time Syracuse played Cal in 2024, Fran Brown’s “Winners get washed” mantra was coined. The moniker floated around for the rest of that magical campaign and even made its way onto merchandise that Brown wore to his weekly press conferences.
It largely died out last year, as is expected when you don’t win a game for the final two months of the season. Maybe it can return versus the team it originated against.
That’s to be determined, but I do see SU beating Cal again Saturday. The Orange showed me enough against New Hampshire to predict a narrow win over the Golden Bears, even if it was against a Football Championship Subdivision opponent. SU’s defense allowing just one field goal is nothing to downplay, and Angeli looked as good as advertised in his first game in 11 months while giving over half the touches to Syracuse’s running backs.
My big question is what SU’s running back usage will look like. Cal allowed 277 rushing yards to UCLA last week, which Syracuse can exploit this weekend. Shavane Anderson Jr. and Tylik Hill bullied New Hampshire last week with 193 combined yards, but I expect Ju’Juan Johnson and Ahmad Miller to lead the backfield assuming both are as healthy as Brown says. There’s a chance they come out rusty, but Anderson and Hill’s breakouts give me confidence the unit will make a difference either way.
I know it’s Week 2, but this is a game SU truly needs to win for its bowl game prospects. Its schedule gets pretty dicey once October hits, and this is one of the matchups I penciled in as a win in my season prediction. If the Orange can’t beat Cal — a middling team in a middling conference — I don’t think Brown will be taking many more showers this season.
Nicholas Alumkal (1-0)
Another sophomore QB, another win
Syracuse 28, Cal 18
Fellow scribe Noah alluded to the Orange’s last meeting with Cal two seasons ago. Who was the quarterback for those Golden Bears? A sophomore Fernando Mendoza. He introduced himself to college football with Indiana in 2025, went No. 1 in the NFL Draft in April and begins his rookie season with the Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday.
Now, Cal sports another promising sophomore signal caller in Sagapolutele. A headline in The San Francisco Chronicle this week said he “wants to follow Fernando Mendoza’s path.” Well, here’s one way he’ll follow Mendoza’s line, if you will: He’ll lose to Syracuse.
Don’t get me wrong: Sagapolutele is a dynamic, explosive quarterback. But he has just as many errors in him as dazzling plays. Up against the Orange’s new-look defense under Vince Kehres, the sophomore will be contained and exposed. Good luck throwing past Chris Peal and Demetres Samuel Jr. or contending with Antoine Deslauriers and Chris D’Appolonia at the line of scrimmage.
Under center for Syracuse, Angeli will continue his aria of aerial accuracy. I expect his connection with Umari Hatcher to keep blossoming. On the ground, I’m curious to see how SU deploys its full complement of running backs. Anderson and Hill ran circles around an admittedly inferior New Hampshire team. How will transfers Johnson and Miller factor in against a Cal defense that allowed nearly 300 rushing yards to UCLA?
This is an early litmus test game for Syracuse. Lose, and the Orange look like the same team as last year. Win, and in an open ACC, SU suddenly has hope. I have hope in Syracuse to get this win. It doesn’t matter who the quarterback standing on the other side of the field is or will become. The Orange will conquer Cal again.
Harris Pemberton (1-0)
Golden opportunity
Syracuse 35, Cal 27
Last Saturday was filled with several refreshing moments for the Orange. First win in 11 months. First home win in 11 months. Angeli’s return. Kehres’ new defense. It felt like so many pieces SU felt optimistic about finally clicked into place exactly as advertised.
But here comes Syracuse’s first test. Cal is one of the ACC foes I see as relatively equal with the Orange talent-wise. In other words, a golden — pun intended — opportunity for SU to prove it’s ready to contend with Power Four squads after last year’s disaster.
Sagapolutele is one of the most skillful young quarterbacks the Orange will see all year. His arm talent is second to none in the conference, and he can make plays from just about any situation he encounters. He’s certainly prone to mistakes, though, and it’ll be up to Syracuse’s pass rush and defensive backs to make it difficult for him to find a rhythm.
Otherwise, the Orange’s best advantage comes on the ground. Cal conceded 277 rushing yards on 8.7 yards per carry against UCLA last week and couldn’t stop a parked car in the fourth quarter. The Bruins ran for three touchdowns in the final frame alone, including a 31-yarder and 53-yarder, killing any chance Cal had of winning at home. With Johnson and Miller projected to return alongside Hill and Anderson, look for SU’s rushers to have a major impact Saturday.
Even if Cal plugs gaps in the run game, Angeli and the Orange passing attack provide a balanced threat. That’s why I can’t see too many ways Syracuse loses this game, unless Sagapolutele and the Cal offense can simply outduel SU. I think it’ll be a close one, but I expect Syracuse to pass the early test and seize the opportunity.
