Predictions: Wake Forest-Notre Dame

Nov 5, 2011; Winston-Salem, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons wide receiver Chris Givens (2) runs after making a catch before being pushed out of bounds by Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Harrison Smith (22) during the fourth quarter. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 24-17 at BB

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

November 17, 2012 at 3:30 pm

TV: NBC

Last Meeting: Wake Forest 17-Notre Dame 24

Line: Notre Dame (-24.0)

Lead Editor Andrew Hall: Wake Forest 6-Notre Dame 35

Staff Writer Nick Combs: Wake Forest 7-Notre Dame 29

Staff Writer Tim Colin: Wake Forest 9-Notre Dame 35

Podcast Co-Host Brett Arney: Wake Forest 0-Notre Dame 20

Wake Forest is the most incompetent Offensive football team that Notre Dame has played this season. To illustrate this point, Wake Forest only scored 20 points against Liberty. Wake Forest is averaging 20.1 points per game. Away from home, the Demon Deacons are averaging only 9.0 points per game and 6.5 points against teams ranked in the AP Poll.

The Demon Deacons ranked 114th on the ground in rushing yards with 102.7 yards per game. Again, the Wake Forest rushing attack is a story of being at home and being on the road. The Demon Deacons are only averaging 58.75 yards per game rushing on the road.

Wake Forest performs a little better through the air. They currently ranked 88th, which is 3 spots ahead of Notre Dame. The Demon Deacons are throwing the ball for an average of 207.0 yards per game but only 132.5 yards per game on the road. Overall, the Demon Deacons only average 191.3 total yards per game on the road.

Overall, Wake Forest does not have a lot to threaten Notre Dame’s experienced and talented Defense with. Campanaro is a very talented player but he is only one man. He can quickly be isolated from the game. Another thing that is important to point out is how porous Wake’s Offensive Line is. The Demon Deacons attack is predicated on the passing game. Notre Dame’s Defensive Line should be able to “pin its ears back” and come after Price frequently on Saturday. This will also prevent the ball from getting in Campanaro’s hands. It’s hard to throw a ball from your back.

Wake Forest is currently ranked 71st in scoring defense giving up 28.9 points per game so far this season. The Demon Deacons give up an average of 156.9 rushing yards per game that ranks them at 65th overall in the country. Passing defense is their biggest weakness on defense ranking 100th and giving up 260.9 yards through the air a game this season. Overall Wake Forest ranks 80th in total defense giving up 417.8 yards a game (5.38 yards per play). Notre Dame should be able to exploit their defense, but if they don’t take care of the ball and have excessive penalties then it could be an underachieving game like they had against Boston College.

Overall the Wake Forest defense is below average as a whole, but their three playmakers above are the key to their success. If they can get some turnovers and force Notre Dame into penalties on the offensive side of the ball it could be anyone’s game. I’m sure the game plan will be to attack the middle of the defense with the running attack and Eifert. While taking some shots deep especially on 1st and 2nd down when they are primarily in Cover 2.