BSD Staff Predictions for Duke

Wake Forest travels to Wallace Wade Stadium to take on the Duke Blue Devils on Saturday in a game which the Deacs must win in order to become bowl eligible.

The BSD staff give their predictions for this game below.

Andrew (7 correct-Tulane, Towson, Notre Dame, Rice, Clemson, Louisville & Pitt, 4 incorrect-BC, Florida State, Syracuse & NC State)

Wake Forest 30-Duke 21

Duke’s lack of an elite talent from the running back position will serve huge dividends for the Deacons defense. Having been trampled by rushing performances seemingly left and right this season, it looks like the team can finally secure their main attention to the air attack. I still believe Blue Devils quarterback Daniel Jones will put up impressive numbers in this one, but I don’t believe it to be enough.

What the Deacons have going for them is looseness. They essentially have nothing to lose and all to win in this one. No one truly expected them to make a bowl appearance starting a true freshman and later a first-time starting quarterback this season. That’s why I can see the Deacons with an emotional edge over the Blue Devils. With a possibility of clinching yet another bowl appearance, there’s a sense of optimism surrounding this injury-riddled team. They have the chemistry and moxey to come out of this one in an upset.

Riley (9 correct-Tulane, Towson, BC, Rice, Clemson, Florida State, Louisville, Syracuse & Duke, 2 incorrect-Notre Dame & NC State)

Wake Forest 27-Duke 24

The past two years have seen teams come into Winston-Salem with their season on the line and clinch bowl eligibility against the Deacs. This year Wake has a chance to pay it forward when it travels to Duke with its season and the Mack Brown Cup (state champion) on the line. There are, SHOCKER, a lot of injury concerns for the Deacs, as Greg Dortch and Matt Colburn are question marks and there are seemingly only 11 players available on the defensive side of things. That being said, I inexplicably think Wake Forest will go in and get the victory against a solid Duke team. Head coach Dave Clawson can go as deep into his bag of tricks as he wants assuming Jamie Newman is comfortable with the plays. I will take Wake in a nailbiter and an upset to secure its third straight bowl berth.

Adam (9 correct-Tulane, Towson, BC, Notre Dame, Rice, Clemson, Florida State, Syracuse & Pitt, 2 incorrect-Louisville & NC State)

Duke 31-Wake Forest 21

The Deacs just have too many injuries.

Elijah (7 correct-Tulane, Towson, Notre Dame, Rice, Clemson, Florida State & Louisville, 4 incorrect-BC, Syracuse, NC State & Pitt)

Wake Forest 28-Duke 27

Wake Forest is on the verge of three straight bowl games. A clear indicator of consistency, Coach Clawson taking the program to three straight bowl games would be very significant. As many key players are on the verge of leaving the program with consistent success, Wake Forest still has a little bit of work to do to get that coveted bowl bid. Duke stands in the way and while their basketball program is all the buzz, their football program has quietly put together a 7-4 season to date, punching their bowl eligibility.

This may be a bit of a pick with my heart over my head.

Samurai (5 correct-Tulane, Towson, Rice, Clemson & Louisville, 6 incorrect-BC, Notre Dame, Florida State, Syracuse, NC State & Pitt)

Wake Forest 24-Duke 21

Edward (9 correct-Tulane, Towson, BC, Notre Dame, Rice, Clemson, Florida State, Syracuse & Pitt, 2 incorrect-Louisville & NC State)

Duke 31-Wake Forest 27

Ultimately, the Deacs have too many injuries and come up just short of making a third bowl game in three years. Duke has dealt with some injuries too, but not nearly as many as Wake. With offensive weapons Greg Dortch and Matt Colburn II questionable for this game, Wake is just about as thin on offense as on defense, which I didn't think was even possible.

Grumpy (7 correct-Tulane, Towson, BC, Rice, Clemson, Florida State & Pitt, 2 incorrect-Notre Dame & NC State)

Rafael (4 correct-Tulane, Rice, Clemson & Florida State, 2 incorrect-BC & Pitt)

Bart (8 correct-Tulane, Towson, BC, Notre Dame, Rice, Clemson, Florida State & Pitt, 3 incorrect-Louisville, Syracuse & NC State)

Rob (8 correct-Tulane, Towson, BC, Notre Dame, Rice, Clemson, Florida State & Syracuse, 2 incorrect-Louisville & NC State)

Cam (4 correct-Tulane, Towson, Clemson & Louisville, 5 incorrect-BC, Notre Dame, Florida State, Syracuse & NC State)

Ned (2 correct-Tulane & Rice, 1 incorrect-Notre Dame)

How do you all think the Deacs will do? Do you think they get to six wins in this one and become bowl eligible?