Wake Forest Opponent Recap: Week 5

It is that time of the week again to check in and see how the Wake Forest opponents both past and future fared in Week 5 of the college football season. This is always more fun after a win, especially a top 25 road win.

Opponent Combined Record in Week 5: 6-4

Opponent Combined Overall Record: 38-16

Future Opponents

(1-3) Army 14—Georgia State 31

The Black Knights continue to struggle and have just 1 win this season over an FCS team. Army followed their gameplan with 354 rushing yards on 69 attempts and 39 minutes of possession, but 3 turnovers kind of killed them. Army has found their way back into 2nd in the nation in rushing yards per game, so the triple option is just as lethal as ever—even if the Black Knights haven’t won a game against FBS teams this season.

(2-3) Boston College 34—Louisville 33 (2-3)

Jurkovec finally had one of those games where he looks as good as people talk him up to be. The senior completed 18 of his 21 pass attempts for 304 yards, 3 touchdowns, and 1 interception—having as many touchdown passes as incompletions is typically a good sign for your team. Zay Flowers continues to be one of the best receivers in the nation with 5 catches for 151 yards and 2 touchdowns. A bigger story in this game is that Boston College managed to actually run the ball with 144 yards on 36 carries, their highest rushing total of the season. I don’t know what is up with Louisville, but it seems like outside of Malik Cunningham, who finished the game with all 4 of the Cardinal’s touchdowns, they just don’t have anything on offense. Their defense also managed to give up 448 yards to a BC team that had barely hit 300 yards one time this season against FBS competition.

(4-1) NC State 20—Clemson 30 (5-0)

At this point, Clemson kind of has the Atlantic Division dead to rights with wins over Wake and State on back-to-back weekends. NC State’s defense is solid, but their offense continues to look pretty pedestrian. The Wolfpack managed just 20 points and 279 yards on the Tigers a week after Wake Forest absolutely torched Clemson for 447 yards (plus a bunch of PI yards) and 45 points. In 2 games against FBS opponents this season, the Pack are averaging just 275 yards of total offense. The Pack have an intriguing matchup against FSU this weekend with both teams trying to bounce back from losses.

(4-1) North Carolina 41—Virginia Tech 10

The Coastal division does not look very good this season, especially with Pitt losing to Georgia Tech this weekend. The Tar Heels have a very good chance to make it to the ACC Championship Game, mostly due to the fact that all the other teams except Duke look pretty awful. I can’t wait until divisions are gone. Drake Maye continues his hot start to the season with a 26-36, 363-yard, 3 touchdown performance.

(5-0) Syracuse 59—Wagner 0

You already know how I feel about teams scheduling UConn AND an FCS opponent, but this one was kind of ridiculous. I understand the financial aspect behind these games, but I really think they need to go. Wagner and Syracuse agreed to play 10-minute quarters in the second half and that should tell you everything you need to know about this game.

(4-1) Duke 38—Virgina 17

I honestly still can’t tell if Duke is good or if the Coastal is just so bad that they look good. Brennan Armstrong looks like a shell of his former self and the Virginia offense is just bad this season. Of course, part of that is due to the fact that Bronco Mendenhall resigned, and offensive coordinator Robert Anae is now at Syracuse. The Cavs are realistically a last second field goal away from being 1-4. Riley Leonard only threw for 129 yards for the Blue Devils, but he really didn’t have to do anything because Duke ran for 248 yards and 4 touchdowns on the Viriginia defense. I guess we won’t know how good Duke is until they play UNC in a couple of weeks.

Previous Opponents

Vandy—Bye

(4-1) Liberty 38—Old Dominion 24

Liberty is putting together another solid season where they could realistically finish with 8 or 9 wins. Old Dominion was that last field goal mentioned above against Virginia away from having 2 wins over ACC teams this season, so this a solid win for the Flames. The 1-point win over Liberty looks better and better every week.

The dreaded triple option attack from Army is up next.

Go Deacs!