If any team in the ACC will benefit from an easy non-conference schedule, it will be the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. In 2005, they began their season with a loss at Vanderbilt and followed that up with a loss at Nebraska. But in 2006, it looks like the way is paved for the Demon Deacons to get off to a 5-0 start. Both Syracuse and Duke at home in the first 2 weeks of the season should be easy wins.
Wake then hits the road to take on the Connecticut Huskies and an Ole Miss team that’s as bad as it’s been in a long time. With the Liberty back home the following week, Wake Forest will be poised for bowl contention as they should get off to a 5-0 start. The challenge for the Demon Deacons will be if they can win any games at the end of the season. In fact, Wake Forest is 0-8 in games played after November 1 in the last 3 seasons.
It doesn’t look too good for them again this year after Nov. 1, as they have Boston College, Florida State, Virginia Tech and Maryland to finish the season. I think Wake will need at least 1 of their last 4 games to break their losing streak after Nov 1. A win late in the season and a win at NC State on Oct. 15 will be enough for Wake Forest to return to a bowl game for the first time since 2002.
Wake will have more depth than they have since coach Jim Grobe’s first season, especially up front. The Demon Deacons return with 7 offensive linemen who have a total of 84 starts between them. With so much experience up front, they shouldn’t have too much trouble making Micah Andrews look like the record Chris Barclay broke last season. Grobe will ask Ben Mauk to run the offense and you can expect Wake to be a more possession-oriented offensive team. Mauk started last season as No. 1, but his 9 INT vs. 3 TDs forced Grobe to bench him. If he can show this season that he has the ability to shoot the ball efficiently, he’ll really open up Wake’s stellar running game, but don’t count on it.
The defense will need to have a lot of stamina, as a poor passing game could leave them down the field quite a bit this season. However, I expect them to improve a lot as the Demons come back with 8 starters. Linebackers and defensive backs are as solid as anyone in the ACC, but Wake could get hurt in the middle. Hopefully some of the freshmen will be able to step up and give the Demon Deacons a little more depth to throw fresh legs and different looks at opposing offensive lines.
Don’t expect more than 2 league wins from Wake Forest, but they’ll be bowling in 2006 anyway.
