Old North Banter
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Wake Forest can win the ACC Atlantic

By Christian Candeloro

CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 28: Jamie Newman #12 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons looks on during the first half of the game between the Boston College Eagles and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Alumni Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 28: Jamie Newman #12 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons looks on during the first half of the game between the Boston College Eagles and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Alumni Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /
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The 5-0 Demon Deacons should be considered a co-favorite in the ACC Atlantic.

It’s time we showed Wake Forest the respect they deserve. The Demon Deacons are 5-0 on the season, lifted by wins over Boston College, North Carolina, and Utah State. Wake Forest has a star quarterback in Jamie Newman and has a top-15 passing offense.

With Clemson struggling on the road against North Carolina on Saturday and star quarterback Trevor Lawrence seemingly in a funk to start the season, it’s time to start considering the Demon Deacons as a legitimate contender to win the ACC Atlantic this season.

The team’s success starts with Newman, who is 8th in the nation in passing touchdowns, 10th in passing yards, and is completing an absurd 71 percent of his throws this season. He’s added 160 yards on the ground and three touchdowns, displaying Cam Newton-like power when running the ball.

Newman was named ACC Player of the Week after he went 22-30, 289 yards, four touchdowns all before halftime.

In the Demon Deacons’ 27-24 win over Boston College on Saturday, he was able to add another 345 yards and two touchdowns, once again showing that he is a top talent at the quarterback position.

Looking around the ACC, there are few quarterbacks you’d want more than Newman right now. Lawrence and maybe Bryce Perkins round out that entire list.

The Demon Deacons average over 200 yards per game on the ground and rarely turn the ball over (only three turnovers through four games).

If there is a team to beat Clemson, why can’t it be Wake?

The Tigers needed a last-minute goal-line stop to beat rebuilding North Carolina on Saturday and Lawrence has more interceptions through four games this season than he had all of last season.

The biggest barrier for the Deacs is the fact that Wake Forest will have to travel to face Clemson on November 16th, a tall order for any team.

CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 28: Jamie Newman #12 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons makes a pass during the second half of the game between the Boston College Eagles and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Alumni Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The Demon Deacons defeat the Eagles 27-24. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
CHESTNUT HILL, MASSACHUSETTS – SEPTEMBER 28: Jamie Newman #12 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons makes a pass during the second half of the game between the Boston College Eagles and the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Alumni Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The Demon Deacons defeat the Eagles 27-24. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

Led by the uber-talented Newman and a strong running game, the Demon Deacons have been building towards this moment for years. Three straight bowl wins have foreshadowed the inevitability that eventually Wake Forest would be able to compete with the big dogs of the ACC.

The Demon Deacons have three straight home games and should be favored in all of them. Wake Forest could very well enter the Clemson game undefeated, setting up a massive showdown.

It may not be a flashy pick, but it’s time to consider this Wake Forest squad as a legitimate ACC contender and a threat to unseat Clemson.

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