The Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-6, 2-4 ACC) head to South Florida to face the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes (9-1, 5-1 ACC) at Hard Rock Stadium this upcoming Saturday. For Miami, this game has significant implications. A victory would inch the Canes one step closer to securing a berth in the ACC Championship Game and keep their College Football Playoff aspirations alive. Wake Forest, on the other hand, needs to win out to achieve bowl eligibility with a 6-6 record.
The Hurricanes suffered a surprising 28-23 defeat to Georgia Tech before their bye week, marking their first loss of the season. Despite the setback, Miami remains an offensive powerhouse, leading the nation in scoring at 45 points per game. They are also highly efficient on third downs, converting a remarkable 55% of their attempts, the best rate in college football.
Quarterback Cam Ward continues to make his case for the Heisman Trophy, amassing 3,494 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, and only six interceptions. Ward’s connection with wide receiver Xavier Restrepo has been lethal. Restrepo has 55 receptions for 934 yards and 10 touchdowns, including four scores in the past two games.
Defensively, Miami has shown vulnerability, particularly against the run. They allowed Georgia Tech to rack up 271 rushing yards in their last outing. The Hurricanes will need to tighten their defensive front to avoid giving Wake Forest’s ground game a chance to control the tempo.
The Demon Deacons are coming off a narrow 31-24 loss to North Carolina, their second consecutive defeat. Running back Demond Claiborne has been a bright spot, with 919 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. Claiborne is key to Wake Forest’s chances, especially against a Miami defense that has struggled against the run.
However, quarterback uncertainty looms, as starter Hank Bachmeier left last week’s game with a shoulder injury. Wake Forest also struggles defensively, allowing 32.5 points per game, the second-worst in the ACC. Their secondary has been particularly problematic, permitting opponents to complete nearly 70% of their passes.
Key Matchups
Miami’s Passing Game vs. Wake Forest’s Secondary: The Hurricanes’ dynamic aerial attack, led by Cam Ward and Xavier Restrepo, is primed to exploit a Demon Deacons secondary that has struggled mightily, allowing nearly 70% of opponent passes to be completed. Look for Miami to take advantage of mismatches downfield early and often.
Wake Forest’s Ground Game vs. Miami’s Rush Defense: Wake Forest’s success hinges on running back Demond Claiborne, who has been a consistent offensive weapon. Miami’s defense, however, has been inconsistent against the run, allowing 271 rushing yards to Georgia Tech in their last outing. The Hurricanes’ linebackers must step up, particularly Francisco Mauigoa, who has had difficulty replicating his stellar run-stopping form from last year. If Mauigoa and the linebacker corps can’t contain Claiborne, it could be a long afternoon for Miami.
Miami’s Defensive Line vs. Wake Forest’s Quarterback: Miami’s defensive line must find a way to disrupt the Demon Deacons’ quarterback, especially with starting QB Hank Bachmeier nursing a shoulder injury. The defensive ends, Rueben Bain and Nyjalik Kelly, have not had the impact Miami hoped for in ACC play, struggling to turn pressures into sacks. If Elijah Alston returns this week, he could provide the spark Miami desperately needs in the pass rush. The Hurricanes will aim to turn pressures into sacks to limit Wake Forest’s passing game and force the Demon Deacons into tough third-down situations.
Prediction
Miami has had two weeks to stew over their loss to Georgia Tech. Expect Miami’s offense to explode against a clearly outmatched opponent as the Hurricanes aim to secure their 10th win of the season. With their sights set on reaching and winning their first-ever ACC title game, the Hurricanes are focused on making a statement as they push for a College Football Playoff berth. That journey begins this week, and I see the ‘Canes coming out with a dominant performance in a blowout victory.
Miami 48,
Wake Forest 20
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