While all the recent attention around Wake Forest football has been on the season-ending injury to receiver Greg Dortch, the Deacons did creep one game closer to bowl eligibility by beating Louisville for their fifth win of the season.
A second straight bowl appearance would solidify Dave Clawson’s rebuilding efforts, and continue the program’s momentum on the recruiting trail. Clawson already has new facilities to show off; another bowl bid would legitimize his on-field product as well.
With next season’s schedule looking favorable, Clawson could be shooting for three straight bowl bids — something that has only been done once in program history. That certainly would cement his reputation as a program builder.
However, closing with four straight losses is not out of the question, especially without the team’s top playmaker in Dortch. Missing a bowl game would be a significant setback: In an era where so many programs make a bowl, the Deacons would take a hit with recruits and Clawson’s reputation might slump a bit. It would certainly slow the momentum of what Clawson can sell on the recruiting trail.
The good news is that Wake Forest closes with two home games. The bad news is that they’ve historically been lousy in November: 6-24 since 2009 (2-9 under Clawson).
Let’s assume that the Deacons can’t topple 7-1 Notre Dame on the road. That really gives Wake Forest three games to win at least one.
If the Deacons are going to find that win, they’ll have to do it against three teams that have been solid against the run. That means Wake Forest’s passing attack will have to continue to be a threat, even without Dortch. In addition, two of the three teams — Syracuse and N.C. State — are among the ACC’s top passing attacks, an area that has been a weakness for the Deacons.
Let’s take a quick look at the three matchups
Syracuse:
** What could benefit WFU: Syracuse will have played Clemson, Miami, Florida State before the Deacons and will have Louisville after. Perhaps the Orange might not be fully focused on Wake Forest. Syracuse’s defense also is vulnerable to the pass, allowing the ACC’s third-best completion percentage and fifth-most yards per game. Offensively, they’ve surrendered the most sacks in the league, and the Deacons are fourth in the league in getting to the quarterback.
** What goes against WFU: The Deacons are on the road in what can be tough place to play, and Syracuse is in the same bowl-hunting scenario (four wins currently). The Orange also can throw it well, averaging the second-most yards a game in the ACC.
N.C. State:
** What could benefit WFU: N.C. State will already be bowl eligible and has UNC the next week, so perhaps they’ll overlook the Deacons. Also, this game will be in Winston-Salem, which makes a big difference. While the Deacons have lost 15 of the last 16 meetings in Raleigh, they’ve won eight of the last 10 at home. The Wolfpack defense is the ACC’s worst against the pass, allowing 264 yards a game.
** What goes against WFU: N.C. State throws it well (fourth-best in the league) and has only allowed nine sacks all season. It has a punishing run defense on par with Clemson’s, although Notre Dame just ran all over the Wolfpack. N.C. State lost three defensive linemen to injuries in the game, so the Deacons might not face the same defense.
Duke:
** What could benefit WFU: Duke has four wins, but has lost five straight. Three of its wins are over UNC (1-8), Baylor (0-8) and an FCS team, N.C. Central. Before playing the Deacons, Duke will have an open date, then games against Army and Georgia Tech, so Wake Forest will be the first “normal” offense the Blue Devils will have faced in almost a month. Duke has struggled to throw the ball, ranking near the bottom of the conference at 53.8 percent completion rate and 203 yards a game (5.6 a completion).
** What goes against WFU: The Deacons haven’t won the final game of the regular season since 2010. They’ve lost three times to Vanderbilt, twice to Duke and once to Boston College. However, every one of those six opponents made a bowl game that season.
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