Staff Predictions Virginia

Wake sits at 5-3, still just one win removed from a guaranteed bowl berth for the first time since the 2011 season when the Deacs played Mississippi State in Nashville. I believe the entire staff missed the correct pick last week - an Army upset in Winston-Salem. Can the crew bounce back and correctly analyze this week’s matchup against the 2-6 Cavaliers who put a scare into Louisville late into the 4th quarter? Let’s check it out:

Bridgers: Wake 24-17

After last weeks awful performance, Wolford has a redemption game and Clawson decides to run the ball again as the defense leads the Deacs to bowl eligibility.

Chris: Still down on the Deacs, think we drop again in an ugly, low scoring contest, 13-10, UVA. With Hinton still out, Wolford turns the ball over too much and the Deacs struggle to put points on the board.

Riley: I don't really know what to expect anymore. Advanced metrics like Wake more than Vegas does (around 8 points), but I'm not sure what our game plan will be after last week. Hopefully the coaching staff realizes we can consistently move the ball with our two strong running backs to take the pressure off of Wolford. UVA has a lot of injuries in their receiving corps, so that bodes well for our secondary.

I'll be optimistic and take the Deacs in a higher than expected scoring affair 27-24 to reach the 6 win plateau and go bowling.

Samurai: Wake 30-17. The entire team comes out mad after last week's debacle, the coaching staff adjusts, and the offense doesn't gift wrap things as much for UVA. Yes, I anticipate a high scoring affair for the Deacs.

Grumpy: I'll say 20-17 Deacs. This just feels like one that comes down to the wire. Hopefully the team proves me wrong by playing with some fire and urgency and gets us a stress-free win. Ultimately, we just need to win, even if it's by one point. I really don't want to be on a three game losing streaking heading into the Louisville/Clemson games.

Jake: I'll take the Deacs to win in true Wake Forest fashion by a count of 10-6. The Wake defense continues to carry the load and against a traditional offense Duke Ejiofor, Marquel Lee and Jessie Bates will have more opportunities to make game altering plays. The offense gets put in a good position by a turnover and Carney capitalizes for Wake's TD. Wolford just needs to take care of the ball and play field position.

Rob: I don't recall Wake Forest playing a football game last weekend, so we should be extremely well rested coming off the coveted double bye. In all seriousness, I think last week's game was humbling and will set Wake up to have more focus in practice this week. I'm optimistic that Wake gets back to what made them successful early in the season - running the ball, and converting some shorter to intermediate passes. The advanced stats like us, but I'll be extremely #nervous for this one. I will take OUR DEACS to win 20-17.

Bart: Yep let’s try this again.

Wake goes for bowl eligibility for the second consecutive week at home as a favorite. Hinton is still out it seems and so the offense will have to cobble a little something together that they've been unable to get going the last few weeks. Will Wake do it this week? I say, yes, but with hesitation. Deacs will need to pound the rock, something I think Coach recognized publicly this week, and I think feeding Carney and Colburn will take some pressure off Wolford in the pocket. Shorter passes, back shoulder throws to the sideline, and quick hitters will allow Wolford to stay comfortable in the offense and the occasional deep ball can be thrown up for big play potential.

Defense shines as two teams with low-powered offenses struggle to get much going. Wake wins 17-13.

There you have it, the BSD crew for the most part anticipates Wake will in fact go bowling. Will we be sad when this one ends or will we be looking forward to a December matchup with at least someone? What do you guys think? As always, go Deacs!