2017 BELK BOWL – WAKE FOREST vs TEXAS A&M
WAKE FOREST -3 TEXAS A&M (66)
MEGALOCKS LINE – Wake Forest -4
Sagarin ratings – Wake Forest -4
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: Wake Forest 34.5 Texas A&M 31.5
The Game
Nothing says Happy Holidays quite like Belk.
We are in for some sweet ACC vs SEC action on Friday afternoon as Wake Forest takes on Texas A&M. The Deacons had another good season under HC Dave Clawson and appear to be on the verge of becoming an ACC playaaaaa. They would love to finish up the 2017 season with a win over an SEC squad to get to 8-5. The Aggies will move on next year without HC Kevin Sumlin (JIMBO time) and will have an interim HC for this game. Texas A&M had a pretty average campaign (7-5) without a signature win and will try and capture some momentum for 2018.
The Match-Up
Wake Forest offense vs Texas A&M defense
This offense is sneaky good. They are #44 in the FBS rushing and #35 passing. Senior QB John Wolford let the ACC in passing efficiency (25-6 TD to INT) and also ran for over 600 yards and 10 TDs. Matt Colborn is a solid RB (754, 10 TD), and overall, the Deacons do a fine job of mixing up the run and the pass. Their most exciting WR G Dortch was injured earlier in the season but they have still rolled along. WR Tabari Hines has 5 TD receptions and TE Cam Serigne (8 TDs) is a dangerous target in the red zone. In fact the key match-up of the game just might be how the Aggies hold up in the red zone (#115 red zone D vs #7 red zone offense). Texas A&M was pretty average on defense this season (#64 total defense, #64 run D, #94 pass efficiency D) but REALLY did a good job of getting penetration (#1 SEC in sacks per game, #2 TFL/game). Wake does a decent job keeping the QB clean and Wolford has great mobility. The Deacons have a very diverse attack that is tough to defend. We expect Texas A&M to have trouble stopping these guys for most of the game unless they can really get the pass rush heated up.
Texas A&M offense vs Wake Forest defense
Our SEC DEEP INSIDERS tell us we should expect both QBs in this game. Nick Starkel can really MATRICULATE in the passing game and Kellen Mond provides some mobility whilst being less reliable throwing the football. Wake Forest will provide a test for the passing game as they are ranked #26 in pass efficiency defense (16-13 TD to INT; 55% completions) whilst ranking #7 in the FBS in TFL per game and #56 in sacks per game. Texas A&M has a great shot to control the game running the football as Wake is ranked #93 vs the run and has displayed a SOFT UNDERBELLY for most of the season. The Williams/Ford RB combo banged out over 1,200 yards on the ground and 18 TDs. The ability to be balanced is there. They just need to take care of the football.
Motivation / Intangibles
Wake Forest – They have a shot to beat an SEC school close to home (Charlotte) and keep the positive momentum of the program going into 2018.
Grade – Very Good to Excellent.
Texas A&M – It’s always tricky trying to read the vibe of a team with an interim HC. Hard to imagine they get super fired up to play Wake Forest.
Grade – Below Average.
MEGA BOWL BITES
Wake Forest boasts victories over 5 (!) bowl teams….Texas A&M has just one (South Carolina)….Wake is tied for #1 in the FBS for fewest turnovers lost (8)…..Texas A&M can use the punting game (#2 net punting; #1 punt returns) to create field position and points.
Summary
Wake just might have the minerals to take this one. They certainly have the coaching edge for this game and the more experienced QB. We worry a bit about their run defense.
Conclusion
Official play: None
Best play on the game. Wake Forest -3 for at least small potatoes.