– Last Updated on June 8, 2018 7:51 am
2017 Football Preview – ACC – Demon Deacons
Looking for 2017 Wake Forest Demon Deacons predictions? The Demon Deacons rebuild that Dave Clawson has done at Wake Forest seems to be a year or so ahead of schedule. They were able to make a bowl game last year, a feat that not many people expected would happen. But now the question is can they use that momentum and build into this year. They are playing a tougher schedule this year, and a lot of people are questioning if they will be able to make it back to a bowl game.
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- 2017-18 College Football Preview – Wake Forest Demon Deacons
- Head Coach: Dave Clawson
- 2016 Record: 7-6
- Wake Forest Demon Deacons Odds to win the 2017 FBS Championship: +50000
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- ***More 2017 NCAA Football Team Season Previews***
So can make a bowl game this year? Or will the schedule and pressure be too much and they take a step back?
2017 Wake Forest Demon Deacons Predictions: Team Strengths
Stars on the Defense: Wake Forest has some stars on the defensive side of the ball, and they are a great start to a defense that should be good again this year.
Last year the defense allowed only 370 yards and 22 points per game, and if wouldn’t have been for terrible games against Clemson and Louisville that number would be even lower.
Jessie Bates was a star safety last year in his freshman campaign for the Demon Deacons. He finished second on the team in tackles. He also had five interceptions and two of those he returned for touchdowns.
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Duke Ejiofor is also a force in the middle of the defensive line that should eat up opposing offensive linemen again this year. The big question along that front is if the rest of the defensive line will step up and cause havoc with him.
Great Special Teams: One of the other big strengths for this team is the Special Teams unit. All ACC Kicker Mike Weaver is back for another go round.
He was 21 for 27 on the field goal attempts last year, and perfect on extra points. He is almost automatic from inside the 40 yard line, and that is a huge weapon for a team that’s offense really struggled last year.
Dom Maggio comes back for his Sophomore year as the punter. He had 72 punts last year and he had an average of 42 yards per punt. His long on the season was 80 yards.
2017 Wake Forest Demon Deacons Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Offense as a whole: The biggest weakness on the team, and the thing that will hold them back this year if they struggle is the offense.
The offense was ranked 124th in total yards last year, and they haven’t really done anything this off season to suggest that will change this year.
Their depth has gotten a lot better, and they were young last year, so they do have another year of experience under their belt, but is that enough for them to step up the play? Or will this offense struggle once again.
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Tough Schedule: The biggest weakness of this team might be the schedule they are playing. They got a touch draw in the ACC.
They have to play Clemson, Notre Dame, Florida State, and Notre Dame all in a five game period.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons Prediction: 5-7
Wake Forest gave them some cushion with their non conference schedule but they have shown they can be upset, and you can’t assume they will be perfect in non conference play.
I think they will three of their first four games, being upset in one of the games. If they can win three of those games that means they will have to win three of four games when they play Georgia Tech, Syracuse, NC State, and Duke.
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I just don’t think that will happen. I think they will win two of those games and that will allow them to get to five wins, but it won’t be enough to make a bowl game.
2017 Wake Forest Demon Deacons Football Schedule
- 8/31/17 6:30 PM ET PRE
- 9/9/17 1:00 PM ET @BC
- 9/16/17 3:00 PM ET USU
- 9/23/17 TBD @APP
- 9/30/17 TBD FSU
- 10/7/17 TBD @CLEM
- 10/21/17 TBD @GT
- 10/28/17 TBD LOU
- 11/4/17 3:30 PM ET @ND
- 11/11/17 TBD @SYR
- 11/18/17 TBD NCST
- 11/25/17 TBD DUKE
What do you think about our 2017 Wake Forest Demon Deacons predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2017!
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