Wake Forest (+5) at Florida State 7 pm ET
Wake Forest has beaten Florida State in back-to-back years for the first time in series history. Can the make it three years in a row?
For Florida State, this is an important encounter trying to rebuild image and stature, while trying to prove they should be in the discussion for the ACC Atlantic race.
Two years ago, Wake Forest handed the Seminoles one of their worst and most embarrassing defeats, clobbering them 30-0 as eight-point underdogs, handing coach Bobby Bowden his first-ever home shutout.
Bowden’s squad can take a quantum leap forward by beating the Demon Deacons on Saturday. It’s been encouraging to Seminoles backers and fans to see them bury teams like Western Carolina and Chattanooga, just like yesteryear.
First year quarterback starter, Christian Ponder has been poised behind a youthful offensive line and been steady in Jimbo Fisher’s offense. On defense, Florida State has not been tested and will still be without starters due to academic suspensions. The ‘Noles are 15-5 ATS in home games after allowing 14 points or less in two straight games.
Wake Forest was out-gained and for the most part outplayed by Mississippi at home in a thrilling 30-28 last second non-cover win at home. That contest exposed weaknesses in Jim Grobe’s outfit that must be solved to advance to the ACC title game.
The rushing game netted a mere 81 yards against the Rebels, which won’t do against faster defenses. The pass rush never got close to a sack against Ole Miss as they threw for 253 yards and four touchdowns.
Thankfully, Wake still has Riley Skinner on their side as the signal caller, as he did his usual Houdini act in saving the Deacons. The Demon Deacons are 7-0 ATS after failing to cover the number. Coach Grobe has upgraded the talent to unbelievable heights at Winston-Salem and is a striking 17-9-1 ATS as road underdog.
What Wake Forest has shown the ACC and Florida State in particular, is they have closed the talent gap and is manufacturing better football players. Florida State might be 10-2 straight-up against the Deacons even after losing the last two, nevertheless they are 3-9 ATS.
