2015
Wake Forest
College Football
Betting Preview
Schedule and Odds
Entering Dave Clawson’s second year as Wake Forest’s head coach, the team is still in rebuild mode and not much should be expected from them yet again. Their over/under is set at 3.5 wins (at Sportsbook.ag) along with another last-place finish in the Atlantic division.
For an offense that was the worst in the nation a year ago yardage wise and only scored 14.8 points per Game, the unit is looking up. Sophomore John Wolford is back at quarterback for his second year and things should only get better for him. The offensive line, which was a major problem last year, plans on starting three redshirt freshmen, although Clawson likes where the group is at, led by a couple experienced guards. They’ll need to show some kind of improvement because the Demon Deacons only averaged 1.3 yards per carry as a team last year: 383 carries for 479 yards. Not good enough. Isaiah Robinson is back to lead that group, as is tight end Cam Serigne, who was actually the nation’s leading pass-catching TE in 2014 with 54 receptions, 531 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman. Wide receiver won’t have much experience, but freshmen Tabari Hines and Cortez Lewis separated themselves in the spring.
The defense also returns a decent amount of starters, although they lose a couple top-level players at cornerback. This group was at least average last year and a reason why they finished with one Conference win, a 6-3 double-overtime victory over Virginia Tech.
Even with a big blow to the secondary, Wake Forest’s front seven is loaded with six returning starters. That includes nose tackle Tylor Harris and stud linebacker Brandon Chubb. Chubb was second on the team in tackles last year, with returning strong safety Ryan Janvion the leader in that department. The defense was decent a year ago and should be able to build on that even after losing some NFL talent. With multiple playmakers returning, they should keep things interesting in more than one ACC Game this year.
However, getting past that three-win mark is another question. Two big early road Games will decide just how many wins the Demon Deacons will get as they travel to Syracuse and Army in September. Both are winnable, but neither will be easy, especially after getting creamed by Syracuse last year and only beating Army by three points, both at home. It doesn’t help Wake Forest that they don’t have any favorable home Games. Their best chances for ACC wins include that early Syracuse meeting and a trip to Boston College in October. Otherwise, home opportunities include NC State and Duke.
It won’t be easy for Clawson and Wake Forest this season, but a bowl Game probably isn’t expected just yet from this team anyway.
2015 Wake Forest Football Schedule
Sept. 3 vs. Elon
Sept. 12 at Syracuse
Sept. 19 at Army
Sept. 26 vs. Indiana
Oct. 3 vs. Florida State
Oct. 10 at Boston College
Oct. 17 at North Carolina
Oct. 24 vs. NC State
Oct. 30 vs. Louisville
Nov. 14 at Notre Dame
Nov. 21 at Clemson
Nov. 28 vs. Duke