The California Golden Bears are being highlighted as a potential sleeper team in the 2026 ACC football season, with quarterback Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele and new head coach Tosh Lupoi expected to drive their success.
Sagapolutele, a true freshman in 2025, had a sensational but under-the-radar debut season. Despite playing for a team that finished 7-6 and lost in the Hawaii Bowl, he threw for 3,454 yards, 18 touchdowns, and nine interceptions. He showed significant improvement as the season progressed, particularly in the final four games, where he recorded at least 320 passing yards in three contests.
Cal faced a challenging schedule in 2025, involving extensive travel that included playing ACC opponents like Louisville and SMU, alongside non-conference games requiring cross-country trips. Despite these hurdles and inconsistencies that led to losses against teams like San Diego State and Stanford, Sagapolutele's performance offered a bright spot. His decision to stay with Cal, rather than enter the transfer portal after head coach Justin Wilcox was fired, has positioned the team as an intriguing prospect for 2026.
Under new head coach Tosh Lupoi, who is entering his first year, the Golden Bears are expected to adopt a new approach. Lupoi, known as an adept recruiter, has focused on assembling talent on offense and rebuilding the defense with players seeking a change of scenery. The team's schedule for 2026 is considered more manageable than in the previous season, with a lower strength of schedule compared to most ACC teams.
The ACC landscape for 2026 is described as having one elite team, Miami, with several other contenders considered flawed. The conference has seen unexpected success stories in the past, such as Virginia's run to the championship game. Cal is currently viewed as a 40/1 long shot to win the ACC. Sagapolutele is also listed at 65/1 odds to win the Heisman Trophy.