Wake Forest football has opened the season in a decisive fashion, bashing its first three opponents by a combined score of 131-27.
But while that start certainly helps set up the potential of a bowl game, it doesn’t mean that the Deacons are worry-free. So as Wake heads into a rivalry game this weekend against Appalachian State, what are the biggest issues to watch before a potential killer five-game stretch in the middle of the season?
That stretch opens with a home game against Florida State, followed by a trip to Clemson. After an off week, the Deacons travel to Georgia Tech, host Louisville and then visit Notre Dame.
The theme across all of these games will be the improvement in the athletes that the Deacons will face compared to their opening stretch. Those little increases in speed and strength will present some challenges for Dave Clawson’s team.
It’s important to score the ball
On offense, the Deacons will need to figure out how to widen the field. Although Clawson has added more speed to the Deacons’ attack, it hasn’t necessarily translated into being able to attack multiple zones.
The running game continues to improve under Clawson, going from setting negative records in his first two seasons to being in the top half of the ACC after three games this year. But that running game has existed almost solely between the tackles.
Redshirt freshman Arkeem Byrd adds an element of speed that Cade Carney and Matt Colburn don’t have. But Clawson hasn’t put Byrd on the edge yet: For example, his two touchdown runs of more than 50 yards were both inside plays that he broke open.
Wolford, FTW
In the passing game, John Wolford has completed 64 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and no interceptions. But Wolford’s throwing areas are pretty predictable: a short horizontal zone around the line of scrimmage and vertically over the middle.
Of Wolford’s six scoring passes, five have been over the middle: three to tight end Cam Serigne, one short post to Greg Dortch and one middle screen to Dortch. The sixth was a beautifully thrown fade to Dortch, but only from nine yards out.
Whether it’s related to game plan, arm strength or vision lanes, Wolford just hasn’t attacked the outside of the field. That will get even harder against a stronger pass rush, as those passes take longer to develop.
While this isn’t to say that the Deacons can’t win without widening the field, good defenses will start to key on those middle run and routes and take them away. Does Wake Forest have enough speed to get outside or enough line strength and throwing power to complete those passes?
Perhaps Clawson and offensive coordinator Warren Ruggiero will find creative ways to stretch the field. In the running game, maybe it’s a few more orbit sweeps with Dortch (who has carried twice so far) to keep defenses honest. With Wolford, maybe they’ll roll him out a little more. While that cuts the field down, it also changes the potential throwing lanes.
The other side of the ball for Wake Forest football
On defense, the biggest worry seems to be almost the opposite of the offense’s challenge: Can the Deacons keep up with teams who have a more sophisticated passing attack, which will apply pressure all across the field?
By the numbers, the Deacons look stellar against the pass. They’re fifth in the country in passing efficiency defense, tied for ninth with five interceptions and have only allowed opponents to complete 40 percent of their passes.
But those numbers may reflect the passing woes of Wake’s opponents more than the Deacons’ defensive strength.
Wake Forest football appears to have two weak spots so far, although more could be exposed. Rover linebacker Demetrius Kemp and cornerback Amari Henderson have been underwhelming against weaker competition.
The Deacons have been saved by their pass rush, which has made things difficult for opposing quarterbacks. Against better offensive lines, that rush won’t be quite as effective, and coverages will have to last longer. Quarterbacks and receivers will be faster and more talented.
The Deacons may get a break that Florida State and Notre Dame will field inexperienced quarterbacks, and Georgia Tech will rarely throw the ball. Still, Wake will have to prove that it can cover for longer periods and across more of the field.
Because Wake Forest football has blown out its first three opponents, it’s been difficult to gauge much about the Deacons. But all that is about to change as the meat of the schedule arrives for Dave Clawson and company.
Read More
All of the skills: Wake Forest’s Greg Dortch quickly turned into 1 of the ACC’s top athletes