Previewing Wake Forest

Previewing Wake Forest, it’s hard to see how this is going to be much of a match up.  Pittsburgh had some very good players who put it together for a great game to take the Irish to the brink and Boston College had the motivation of the Holy War to make the games at least competitive.  The Demon Deacons are a below average looking team with not a lot going for them against the third ranked team in the country.  With wins coming against the likes of Liberty (by three points), North Carolina (by one point), Army, Virginia and Boston College, it’s hard to believe they will be striking fear into the hearts of the Fighting Irish this weekend.  Meanwhile, taking beatings of 52-0 from Florida State and 37-6 from N.C. State should help the confidence of any undefeated 10-0 team.

Statistically, this 5 -5 Wake Forest team is very non-intimidating.  As I scroll down their collective numbers from this season compared to their opponents’ numbers, Wake Forest has simply underperformed.  Head to head, the Demon Deacons lose (to name a few) the following statistical categories cumulatively - scoring/points per game, first downs (both rushing & passing), yards rushing, yards passing, total plays run, and time of possession.  They do have the edge in a few categories, including 4^th down conversions (53%), red zone scoring (91%) and red zone touchdowns (74%).  Even though these are impressive, it’s like being too little too late.
 

Individually, the Wake Forest players are no more impressive or intimidating.  Starting at quarterback, Price has a 55.4 completion percentage with 1,965 yards (196.5 yards per game), 12 touchdowns and 6 interceptions.  Good, but not great stats ten games into a season with a .500 record.  Initially, you are impressed with seeing he has gained 164 yards rushing until you slide down the page and see he has also lost 174 yards on the ground for a net of -10.  Note: Price does have two rushing touchdowns.  The running game is as solid as any decent team in the FBS, with two primary backs - Harris (607 total yards, 4.5 yards per carry with 5 TD’s) and Martin (394 total yards, 4.2 yards per carry with 5 TD’s).  They have mixed it up on offense by having five different players throw at least one pass including one from a receiver (who connected for a touchdown) and four (three completions on four passes) by a running back. 
 

It’s on the defensive side of the stat sheet that Wake Forest makes themselves look more respectable and helps make sense of the 5-5 record.  Their defense boasts 68 tackles for a loss, 23 sacks (for 170 yards) 9 interceptions, 10 fumble recoveries and 1 blocked kick.
 

We all know stats only tell part of the story, but for Wake Forest it’s no best seller.  The Irish may not beat the Demon Deacons by 50 points (although they could), but they definitely have more on their sideline and in their huddle to beat this team on Saturday afternoon in South Bend, giving the Notre Dame seniors a well-deserved send off on Senior Day.
 

Bonus Wake Forest Notes:
 

This is only the second meeting of Wake Forest and Notre Dame, and will be the first in South Bend, making them the 70^th different team to face the Irish in South Bend.
 

If Tyler Eifert has five catches on Saturday, he will pass Ken MacAfee to become Notre Dame leader in receptions by a tight end.