Bet Wake Forest Demon Deacons – Changing Offense, Leaky Defense = No Hope For Wake

2009 Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Recap

Wake Forest surprised some online betting players by winning four of their first six games last year, but a five-game losing skid in the second half of the season was their downfall. Three of those losses came by three points or less, and overall, the Demon Deacons lost five of their seven games by a field goal or less. Their loss to Miami at home was the straw that broke the camel’s back as the Demon Deacons were up 27-14 heading into the fourth quarter.

Riley Skinner ended his career in Winston-Salem on a high note with his best statistical season as a Demon Deacon, ranking in the national top 20 in passer rating, and he had a very able trio of receivers in Marshall Williams, Devon Brown and Chris Givens. However, their sportsbook odds took a beating due to a defense that gave up at least 28 points in five of their last six games. Overall, it was their inability to win close games that doomed the Demon Deacons.

2010 Preview To Bet Wake Forest

Finding a new quarterback will have the biggest effect on the Demon Deacons’ NCAA football betting odds this year as Skylar Jones looks to be the No.1 guy now, but the Wake Forest offense will be more run-oriented this year. If the Demon Deacons can find a quarterback who can throw half-decently, they have Brown and Givens as targets. The offensive line will also have to replace three starters. One of their returning starters up front also missed the spring with injuries, so that has to be looked at. There are seven returning starters back on defense, but given the way they performance in 2009, that may not be the best news.

The Demon Deacons shouldn’t be tested until September 25th’s trip to Florida State, followed by a visit from Georgia Tech. Wake Forest will continue a tricky four-game stretch with a home game against Navy, where they lost 13-10 last season, followed by a trek to Virginia Tech. Late wins at North Carolina State and at home against Clemson could improve their bowl status dramatically. The Demon Deacons had their three-year bowl streak snapped last year, and they would love nothing better than to see some postseason action.

There shouldn’t be too much faith in Wake Forest this year, unless there is a massive improvement in the defense. The offense is going through a complete philosophical change from having Skinner, a great passer, to bleeding a young quarterback into the team behind an offensive line that could be awful. That means there will be added pressure on the defense to hold up their end of the bargain, but how promising is that when you look at last year’s performance? There are just too many questions on both sides of the ball to seriously consider Wake Forest as a legitimate sports betting pick in the ACC.