BSD Staff Predictions for Wake Forest vs. NC State

Wake Forest hosts in-state rival NC State tomorrow at noon at BB&T Field in the third longest continuous football rivalry in the country. The Deacs are 0-7 coming off of bye weeks in the Dave Clawson era, but the Wolfpack are having a down year.

Without further ado, here are the picks by the BSD staff for tomorrow’s game.

Samurai (6 Correct-Utah State, Rice, UNC, Elon, BC, Florida State; 1 incorrect-Louisville)

Wake Forest 31-NC State 24

I‘m gonna predict it being close and a Wake Forest win, but I don’t expect to relax because that’s what this season is at this point. I’m hoping the backup linebackers can at least sorta fill the hole left by Strnad’s injury. We’ll see though.

Edward (6 Correct-Utah State, Rice, UNC, Elon, BC, & Florida State; 1 incorrect-Louisville)

Wake Forest 38-NC State 28

The Deacs are finally able to break through and get a win after a bye week. This may be their best chance to do so against an NC State team that is struggling. The injuries to Justin Strnad and Luke Masterson really hurt the defense, but here’s hoping that guys prove they are able to step up in a big way in their absence. I will feel much better about this one if Jamie Newman is fully healthy and able to go. If the defense can play at least decently and the fans turn out in big numbers and are loud the whole game, I feel pretty good about our chances.

Elijah (5 Correct-Utah State, Rice, UNC, Elon, & BC; 2 incorrect-Louisville & Florida State)

Wake Forest 28-NC State 24

The Deacs have an in-state rival coming to town. The linebackers are decimated for Wake Forest while the Wolfpack are trotting out a new starting quarterback.

WF will miss Justin Strnad dearly and the defense will rally against the new starter. Look for the offense to hopefully pickup, despite a QB not being set and CBS being out.

Deacs win in a close one because of the nature of rivalry games.

Riley (5 Correct-Utah State, Rice, UNC, Elon, & BC; 2 incorrect-Louisville & Florida State)

Wake Forest 41-NC State 28

Wake Forest will try to prevent N.C. State from flipping the script from the past two years when the Deacs upset the Pack and derailed a really good season. Wake is also trying to win out of a bye week in the regular season for the first time under Dave Clawson. I think this is a fairly overblown narrative in the sense of a small sample size, as well as playing solid opponents, but it’s still something that the Deacs need to take care of. Both teams have been hit with a few injuries over the past few weeks and it will be interesting to see if Jamie Newman gets the go for Wake. He is listed on the Depth Chart with an “or” alongside Sam Hartman. Overall I have a pretty good feeling about this game, as I think State will have a hard time stopping the high-powered offense of Wake Forest, and if Clawson gets the guys to come out of the gates hot then it will be a good day for the Deacs. Big crowd, noon game, really good weather, and an in-state opponent - there are no excuses for low energy and I think the team knows that. Kenneth Walker III has a big day filling in for CBS and the Deacs get up two touchdowns in the first quarter en route to a comfortable win.

Adam (4 Correct-Utah State, Rice, Elon, & BC; 3 Incorrect-UNC, Louisville, & Florida State)

Wake Forest 42-NC State 35

I don’t see very much defense being played in this game, so both teams should put up plenty of points. Ultimately, I think our offense is better so we get the win.

Cam (6 Correct-Utah State, Rice, UNC, Elon, BC, & Florida State; 1 incorrect-Louisville)

Grumpy (3-0)

Bart (1-0)

How do you all think the Deacs will do tomorrow afternoon coming off a bye week? Do you think they can break the bye week curse? Comment below. Go Deacs!