Wake Forest is getting ready for year 2 under head coach Dave Clawson. In 2014 Wake Forest was the first team in the ACC since Duke in 2009 to rush for less than 1,000 yards as a team. This lead to an overall record of 3-9 and an ACC record of 1-7 in 2014. Wake was a young team in 2014 and returns 16 starters this season with 9 on offense and 7 on defense.
Offensive Breakdown
Wake returns the top 2 rushers in Isaiah Robinson and Dezmond Wortham, Dezmond lead the team in rushing only playing in 8 games last year. He also had the best yards per carry average on the team at 2.86 yards per carry. Last year Wake was staring 4 new offensive lineman and they hope that a year of experience will improve this groups performance in 2015. The offensive line will be the focus point on improving a young and talented Wake Forest offense. They allowed 48 sacks last year and giving quarterback John Wolford more time to find receivers downfield will improve this team. John Wolford was 9th in the ACC in passing with 2,037 total yards with a 58% completion percentage. His favorite target returns in tight end Cam Serigne who lead the team in receiving yards and touchdown catches. Cam was the second leading tight end in receiving yards in the ACC last next to number one Clive Walford (MIami) and number three Nick O'Leary (FSU). Wake will need more production from the wide receivers in 2015 with only Jared Crump and Jonathan Williams having game time experience from last year. They combine for 40 catches which is less than Cam's catches (54) from last year alone. Wake Forest will see improvement on offense this year behind a much more experienced offensive line.
Defensive Breakdown
Wake was a young and inexperienced group in 2014, but returns 3 defensive lineman, 3 line backers, and 1 defensive back in 2015. Wake 's defensive line is anchored by red shirt junior Josh Banks and senior Tylor Harris. Josh Banks had 4 sacks and an interception last year. They also have experience on the bench this year like red shirt sophomore defensive lineman Duke Ejiofor, who had 2 sacks and 10 solo tackles last year. Wake's returns the 3 leading tacklers from a year ago including red shirt junior defensive back Ryan Janvion, who lead the team in tackles solo and total tackles. The other 2 leading tacklers are red shirt senior linebacker Brandon Chubb and junior linebacker Marquel Lee who look to sure up an experienced front 7 for Wake. Marquel Lee had 4 sacks and 101 tackles last season.
Scheduled Prediction
vs Elon - W
@ Syracuse - W
@ Army West point - W
vs Indiana - W
vs Florida State - L
@ Boston College - L
@ North Carolina - L
vs NC State - L
Louisville - L
@ Notre Dame - L
@ Clemson - L
vs Duke - L
Predicted ACC record (1-7)
Predicted overall record (4-8)
@ Syracuse - W
@ Army West point - W
vs Indiana - W
vs Florida State - L
@ Boston College - L
@ North Carolina - L
vs NC State - L
Louisville - L
@ Notre Dame - L
@ Clemson - L
vs Duke - L
Predicted ACC record (1-7)
Predicted overall record (4-8)
Summary
Wake brings back 16 starters from a tough 3-9 season with a young team that was very inexperienced and young in last year. In year 2 of Dave Clawson you will see improvement as every team he has been a head coach, has seen improvement in year 2 and 3 years of him taking over. Player to watch on Wake is Cam Serigne who is one of the best tight ends in the ACC. I believe a tough road schedule for them will make for a rough season in the ACC, but they could very well upset Duke in the season finale and end up 5-7 overall.