Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2017 NCAA Football Preview

College Football Predictions – Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2017 NCAA Football Preview

2016 Recap

2016 Record – 7-6

2016 ATS – 8-5

There you go. Year three of the Dave Clawson era yielded a (surprise ?) winning season. The Demon Deacons sprinted out to a 4-0 start and then held on to finish the regular season 6-6 despite a 1-5 finish. They finished up the campaign with a SHOCK the WORLD upset in the Military Bowl beating Temple OUTRIGHT as double digit underdogs. Job well done.

2017 MEGALOCKS Opening Power Rating

Atlantic Division – #5

Atlantic Coast Conference – To be determined

OFFENSE

Well. It was a start. Wake exceeded 20 points per game for the first time since Dave Clawson became head coach (15,17,20). It appears that the Demon Deacons are finally starting to show signs of life. And even better news ? 9 returning starters.

Wake Forest has two experienced QBs to choose between and both guys are mobile. John Wolford started most of 2016 after Kendall Hinton was injured early in the season. MEGALOCKS ACC INSIDERS tell us that the smart money is on Hinton starting the 2017 campaign. In any event, the Deacs allowed 39 sacks in their last go-around, and the pass protection will have to improve if they want a shot at making a bowl game. The WR group is very experienced but needs to develop a big play threat.

There is a really good 1-2 punch at RB. Matt Colburn and Cade Carney combined for over 1200 yards rushing and 8 TD in 2016. When you include the mobility at QB there is hope for a decent running game in 2017.

DEFENSE

It is time for another wacky MEGALOCKS POP QUIZ. Anyone remember that Wake Forest was ranked #11 in the FBS last year with an impressive 3.15 sacks per game (41) ? Yup. They managed to PENETRATE and get after the QB while holding opponents to an impressive 22.2 points per contest (#3 ACC).

The DL looks to be strong once again. Duke Ejiofor went full BEAST MODE last year picking up 10.5 sacks and 17 TFL. He returns along with Zeek Rodney who missed last season. The back seven only returns 3/7 from the 2016 starting group and they will miss leading tackler LB Marquel Lee. They also have a new DC as Mike Elko moved on to Notre Dame.

SPECIAL TEAMS

The kicking game should be good. PK Mike Weaver connected on 21/27 FG last year and garnered 1st team ACC honors. Dom Maggio is a decent punter. We worry a bit about the return game. Wake was dead last in the ACC last season in punt return average.

Potential ATS Trouble Spots

September 23 – at Appalachian St. Road game against a tough Sun Belt team before back-to-back games against Florida St and Clemson.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

Wake returns 99.47% of their receptions from last season. #FunWithMath

Notre Dame poached the DC from Wake Forest. #BizarroWorld

MEGALOCKS ATS Value Rating (10) 6.0

MEGALOCKS says:

Overall, we give the DEMON DEACONS a 6.0 ATS Value Rating (Above Average) this season.

The schedule is going to be a tough one to negotiate. Playing in the rough and tumble ACC Atlantic Division is not easy these days. There are some winnable games on the docket but not much margin for error if they hope to return to a bowl game.

They still look like a team to be respected against the number. Despite fielding some pretty sketchy teams, HC Clawson has still avoided a losing season ATS (6-6, 6-6, 8-5). The offense will be better. The defense is probably going to be a bit worse. The overall talent and experience level keeps improving. Not many folks call out Wake Forest when crafting their weekly card. That means value on more occasions than not. Be not afraid.

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