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Well we're officially one game in the books and the Deacs have a W to their name as well. It was certainly impressive the way Wake Forest took care of business in Week 1 and moved the ball on offense, albeit against a far inferior opponent in Elon. While it is nice to start the season off with a win, the schedule doesn't get any easier from here on out as Wake has a number of difficult games against ACC foes in the coming weeks. Take a peak at how WF's 2015 opponents did in their opening week and who they have coming up on Saturday as well.
The Matchup: @ Syracuse
The Date: September 12
Their Week 1 Performance: W (47-0) over Rhode Island (Home)
Key Note from the Game: Syracuse starting QB and Senior Captain Terrel Hunt tore his Achilles in the first quarter of the Orange’s dominant performance last Saturday. True Freshman QB Eric Dungey will likely start against Wake Forest (10-17 for 114 yards and 2 TD’s after subbing in last Friday) though the Deacs shouldn't expect the Orange to Air-It-Out too much in his first career start.
Week 2 Matchup and Line: Home vs. Wake Forest (Syracuse -4)
The Matchup: @ Army
The Date: September 19
Their Week 1 Performance: L (37-35) to Fordham (Home)
Key Note from the Game: An Army team that lost over two dozen players to graduation last season allowed 445 yards of total offense to the FCS program from NY. Fordham JR QB Kevin Anderson averaged over 20 yards per completed pass against the Black Knights going 15-23 for 322 yards.
Week 2 Matchup and Line: Away @ UCONN (UCONN -7)
The Matchup: Indiana
The Date: September 26
Their Week 1 Performance: W (48-47) over Southern Illinois (Home)
Key Note from the Game: Indiana survived an upset scare from Southern Illinois at Home in Bloomington after a dropped Two-Point Conversion attempt in the endzone with just over a minute left ended the Salukis’ chances. Southern Illinois outgained the Hoosiers in passing and rushing yards and had nearly 700 yards of total offense (659).
Week 2 Matchup and Line: Home vs. FIU (Indiana -8)
The Matchup: Florida State
The Date: October 3
Their Week 1 Performance: W (59-16) over Texas State (Home)
Key Note from the Game: Everett Golson put up solid numbers in his first game for the Noles going 19-25 for 302 yards and 4TD’s despite a run-heavy gameplan in the first half. Despite the dominant scoreline, FSU only forced one turnover in the entire game and led by as little as 4 points midway through the 2nd quarter.
Week 2 Matchup and Line: Home vs. South Florida (FSU -28)
The Matchup: @ BC
The Date: October 10
Their Week 1 Performance: W (24-3) over Maine (Home)
Key Note from the Game: BC was only up 10-3 as late as the 4th quarter before slotting into the endzone two more times to put the game out of reach. With a new QB at the helm for the Eagles, BC might look to be a much more ground-and-pound offense this season (49 rushing attempts to 25 passing attempts against Maine).
Week 2 Matchup and Line: Home vs. Howard (No line)
The Matchup: @ UNC
The Date: October 17
Their Week 1 Performance: L (13-17) to South Carolina (Neutral Site)
Key Note from the Game: UNC QB Marquise Williams struggled taking care of the ball and threw 3 interceptions, including one in the end zone in the closing minutes of the game. NC’s run-game, however, had no trouble finding seams against a talented USC defense and averaged 6.5 YPC and over 200 yards total.
Week 2 Matchup and Line: Home vs. NC A&T (No line)
The Matchup: NC State
The Date: October 24
Their Week 1 Performance: W (49-21) over Troy (Home)
Key Note from the Game: NC State’s defense looked immovable at some points and highly exposed at others, with two of Troy’s three TD’s in the game coming off of 30+ yard passes. The Wolfpack, however, dominated possession with 41:34 minutes of the ball in their hands and 17 more first downs than their counterparts.
Week 2 Matchup and Line: Home vs. Eastern Kentucky (No Line)
The Matchup: Louisville
The Date: October 30
Their Week 1 Performance: L (24-31) to Auburn (Neutral Site)
Key Note from the Game: Despite outgaining Auburn, forcing more turnovers, and slightly leading in possession, the Cards couldn’t put together a full performance to start their season off with a win. Standouts for UL were S Josh Harvey-Clemons (2 INT’s) and RB Lamar Jackson (16 carries for 106 yards and a TD)
Week 2 Matchup and Line: Home vs. Houston (Louisville -13.5)
The Matchup: @ Notre Dame
The Date: November 14
Their Week 1 Performance: W (38-3) over Texas (Neutral Site)
Key Note from the Game: Notre Dame absolutely throttled the Longhorns in the opening week putting up 38 points and holding UT to a measly 163 yards. The post-Everett Golson era looks to be just fine as well, as JR QB Malik Zaire was nearly perfect on the day going 19-22 for 313 yards and 3 TD’s.
Week 2 Matchup and Line: Away @ UVA (ND -13)
The Matchup: @ Clemson
The Date: November 21
Their Week 1 Performance: W (49-10) over Wofford (Home)
Key Note from the Game: Clemson’s offense was efficient all afternoon and Heisman hopeful Deshaun Watson had a solid day despite not putting up sensational numbers (194 yards and 2 TD’s). However, the Tigers suffered a huge blow to their receiving core against Wofford with WR Mike Williams leaving the game with a serious neck injury during a TD catch in the 1st quarter. Williams led the team last season in receiving yards and was 2nd on the team in TD’s and receptions.
Week 2 Matchup and Line: Home vs. App State (Clemson -19.5)
The Matchup: Duke
The Date: November 28
Their Week 1 Performance: W (37-7) over Tulane (Road)
Key Note from the Game: Duke’s rush defense was suffocating against Tulane last week allowing just 25 yards on 23 carries and sacking the opposing QB 4 times. WR Johnell Barnes had a standout game with 11 receptions for 109 yards and TD as well.
Week 2 Matchup and Line: Home vs. NC Central (No Line)
Here are some aggregate stats for the week:
Wake's Remaining Opponents W-L: 8-3
Wake's Remaining Opponents Aggregate Scoreline: 423-192
Wake's Remaining Opponents Favored in Week 2: 10 of 11 (Only Army is an underdog)
Check back again next week to see if Wake's remaining schedule looks harder or easier based on their opponents' Week 2 performances, and as always, Go Deacs!