Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Florida State Seminoles Preview
There were some years under Jim Grobe where you would have begged to be in this position if you were the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Everyone overlooking a Wake team going down to play a Florida State team with clear holes. A Seminoles team that was bloodied last week, but not knocked out. So they could still hide behind the belief that they were invincible when they were clearly not.
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Not this year. While the Wake defense may be up for this game, the Wake offense has not shown the explosiveness of a Clemson or a NC State while playing the Seminoles. The game must be played, however and that means some random set of turnovers and defensive scores could happen. You just can’t rely on those things all the time.
Date: October 4
Time: 3:30 PM
TV: ABC
Venue: Doak Campbell Stadium (Tallahassee, FL)
Last Time: 2013
Last year’s Florida State offense had some of the same pieces they have this year. Last year’s Wake Forest defense had some of the same pieces. That would not be a good sign considering quarterback Jameis Winston hung 59 on the final Jim Grobe team. There were also big plays by someone named Kelvin Benjamin, but I don’t know where he got to… Wake’s offense was held to 165 yards with seniors at quarterback and running back.
Sep 20, 2014; Tallahassee, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles quarterback Jameis Winston (5) talks with Florida State Seminoles head coach Jimbo Fisher as he warms up in pads during pre game before their game against the Clemson Tigers at Doak Campbell Stadium. Winston was suspended for Saturday s game against Clemson pending an investigation into some alleged lewd comments he made on campus. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Opponent: Florida State Seminoles (4-0)
It has been a straining year for Coach Jimbo Fisher. He has been trying to keep the ’86 Bears disease from infecting his roster with complacence. His star quarterback, who has little to prove on the field, has been doing stupid stuff off of it. His defense has gone south, with his third coordinator in three years not at the helm. The previous two are the head coach at Kentucky and the well paid coordinator for Georgia.
That said, Florida State is still 4-0 with all the weapons on offense that you could want. Whether it is big back Karlos Williams or senior receiver Rashad Greene, the Seminoles can still score. Heck, they managed 23 points against Clemson without Winston in the game. With Winston in the game, the Seminoles boast one of the best production engines in the country.
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The story is the defense. Florida State showed no mercy to opponents last year. This year the defense has given up 31 to Oklahoma State and 41 to NC State. They also gave 500 total yards to the Wolfpack. The Seminoles have not met a team on their schedule yet that could knock them out instead of down, but they will play Louisville and Notre Dame later this year.
It’s a shame that this Wake Forest team, which is growing into its offense, will not be the ones to do it. The Seminoles are ripe for a knockout, but it will not be this week.
Prediction:
Wake Forest has not come far enough on offense to win this one. Their defense will play its guts out, but there will not be enough offense for the Deacs. Jameis Winston and his offense will eventually get too many opportunities and that will make the difference.
ONJ Season Prediction Record: 16-2