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Wake Forest Football: 2018 Preseason Awards

By Brandon Croce

WINSTON SALEM, NC - AUGUST 31: Wide receiver Greg Dortch #89 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons strides in for a touchdown against the Presbyterian Blue Hose during the football game at BB&T Field on August 31, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images)
WINSTON SALEM, NC - AUGUST 31: Wide receiver Greg Dortch #89 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons strides in for a touchdown against the Presbyterian Blue Hose during the football game at BB&T Field on August 31, 2017 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. (Photo by Mike Comer/Getty Images) /
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CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 29: Matt Colburn #22 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons runs with the ball against the Texas A&M Aggies during the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 29: Matt Colburn #22 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons runs with the ball against the Texas A&M Aggies during the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

X-Factor

Winner: Matt Colburn II

While the Wake Forest football team has one of the deepest wide receiver groups in the ACC, it could be the run game and Matt Colburn that could play a big role in their success.

The suspension of Kendall Hinton for the first three games will put a lot of pressure on Jamie Newman and Sam Hartman, two very inexperienced quarterbacks. The best thing that an inexperienced quarterback can have is a reliable run game.

This is where Colburn will come into play and be a factor for this offense. The senior had an excellent season last year with over 900 rushing yards, averaged 5.4 yards per carry and had seven rushing touchdowns.

Next. No clear favorite in QB battle for the Demon Deacons. dark

If Colburn is able to replicate his performance from a season ago, he not only takes pressure off the quarterback but will force defenses to play closer to the line of the scrimmage. This will give an opportunity for players like Greg Dortch to get over the top and past the opposing defense for big passing plays.

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