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Wake Forest Football: Rice Preview

By Christian Candeloro

WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 30: Wake Forest Demon Deacons players celebrate after a win over the Utah State Aggies after their game at BB&T Field on August 30, 2019 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Wake Forest won 38-35. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA - AUGUST 30: Wake Forest Demon Deacons players celebrate after a win over the Utah State Aggies after their game at BB&T Field on August 30, 2019 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Wake Forest won 38-35. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /
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Who: Wake Forest Demon Deacons (1-0) at Rice Owls (0-1)
When: Friday September 6, 2019 – 8 P.M. EST
Where: Rice Stadium – Houston, Texas
TV channel: CBS Sports Network
Live stream: Fubo TV
Line: Wake -18
Weather: Clear, 90°at kickoff

Last Week: 

Wake Forest defeated Utah State 38-35

Rice lost to Army 14-7

One Player to Watch on Rice:

MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 20: Wiley Green #5 of the Rice Owls drops back to pass in the first half against the FIU Golden Panthers at Ricardo Silva Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 20: Wiley Green #5 of the Rice Owls drops back to pass in the first half against the FIU Golden Panthers at Ricardo Silva Stadium on October 20, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Redshirt Freshman QB Wiley Green (7-14, 62 yards passing vs Army)

This will be the fifth start of the redshirt freshman’s career. He started three games last season and the opener against Army, accounting for four total touchdowns and four interceptions. The Rice offense is a slow, grind it out attack, relying heavily on the run game to drive the offense. Still Wiley’s development is a key component of the Owls’ season. Keeping him on his heels will be important for the Wake defense.

If Wake Forest Wins:

It’ll start 2-0 for the fourth straight year and give the team momentum heading into a week three showdown with ACC Coastal foe North Carolina.

If Wake Forest Loses:

It would be a massive upset and make us seriously reconsider the ceiling of this team. Rice is much improved from last year, but this is not a game the Demon Deacons should lose.

WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 30: Kendall Hinton #2 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons makes the game-winning touchdown catch against the Utah State Aggies during the second half of their game at BB&T Field on August 30, 2019 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Wake Forest won 38-35. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
WINSTON SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA – AUGUST 30: Kendall Hinton #2 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons makes the game-winning touchdown catch against the Utah State Aggies during the second half of their game at BB&T Field on August 30, 2019 in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Wake Forest won 38-35. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Prediction:

The Demon Deacons dispatched a much better Utah State team last week in a thrilling win and will follow it up with a safe (but not easy) win over the Owls on Friday night.

Wake Forest 41 Rice 20

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