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Wake Forest Football Preview 2025: Jake Dickert Will Prove the Demon Deacons Can Win

Wake Forest Football Preview 2025: Jake Dickert Will Prove the Demon Deacons Can Win

Miami Herald10 hours ago

As SMU proved last year, and as Duke showed over the last three years, you don't have to be Clemson, Florida State, or Miami to win in the ACC.And Wake Forest showed in the 11-win 2021 that it was possible to win big. And under Dave Clausen, the program showed that going to a bowl game isn't just possible, it should be a given.But it's easy to underestimate the Demon Deacons.
X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFNWake Forest Offense BreakdownWake Forest Defense BreakdownSeason Prediction, Win Total, Keys to SeasonThey don't get the talent that most of the ACC schools can land, and it takes a combination of the right schedule, the right schemes, and the right breaks to pull off winning campaigns. And that's where new head coach Jake Dickert comes in.Thrown into the fire in 2021 at Washington State following the parting of ways with Nick Rolovich, Dickert wasn't amazing, but he kept the program afloat with three bowl appearances in four years.
It helped that he was able to get Cam Ward through the transfer portal, and then John Mateer, but for a guy who spent his career as a top defensive assistant, his teams crank up the offenses.He's one of those coaches who knows how to get wins, but his Cougars collapsed late last season and closed 1-7 in 2023. Don't worry about that.His Demon Deacons have the right schedule and the right schemes, and they should have the right coach to prove that it's possible to win lots of football games again. Wake Forest Offense BreakdownWake Forest Defense BreakdownSeason Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season
© 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

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Wake Forest Football Preview 2025: Jake Dickert Will Prove the Demon Deacons Can Win
Wake Forest Football Preview 2025: Jake Dickert Will Prove the Demon Deacons Can Win

Miami Herald

time10 hours ago

  • Miami Herald

Wake Forest Football Preview 2025: Jake Dickert Will Prove the Demon Deacons Can Win

As SMU proved last year, and as Duke showed over the last three years, you don't have to be Clemson, Florida State, or Miami to win in the Wake Forest showed in the 11-win 2021 that it was possible to win big. And under Dave Clausen, the program showed that going to a bowl game isn't just possible, it should be a it's easy to underestimate the Demon Deacons. X CFN, Fiu | CFN Facebook | Bluesky Fiu, CFNWake Forest Offense BreakdownWake Forest Defense BreakdownSeason Prediction, Win Total, Keys to SeasonThey don't get the talent that most of the ACC schools can land, and it takes a combination of the right schedule, the right schemes, and the right breaks to pull off winning campaigns. And that's where new head coach Jake Dickert comes into the fire in 2021 at Washington State following the parting of ways with Nick Rolovich, Dickert wasn't amazing, but he kept the program afloat with three bowl appearances in four years. It helped that he was able to get Cam Ward through the transfer portal, and then John Mateer, but for a guy who spent his career as a top defensive assistant, his teams crank up the one of those coaches who knows how to get wins, but his Cougars collapsed late last season and closed 1-7 in 2023. Don't worry about Demon Deacons have the right schedule and the right schemes, and they should have the right coach to prove that it's possible to win lots of football games again. Wake Forest Offense BreakdownWake Forest Defense BreakdownSeason Prediction, Win Total, Keys to Season © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

Wake Forest Football Preview 2025: Demon Deacons Season Prediction, Win Total Projection, Top Players
Wake Forest Football Preview 2025: Demon Deacons Season Prediction, Win Total Projection, Top Players

Miami Herald

time10 hours ago

  • Miami Herald

Wake Forest Football Preview 2025: Demon Deacons Season Prediction, Win Total Projection, Top Players

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Key to the Season Stop someone from completing forward Wake Forest pass defense was among the worst in the nation, and only Mississippi State allowed more completed passes. The Bulldogs allowed teams to hit 70.4% of their throws, and the Demon Deacons allowed 70.3%.Wake Forest went 3-1 when teams completed 66% or fewer, and was 1-7 when allowing more. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Key Player Melvin Siani, OT skill parts are good - one of the two quarterback options will step up. None of it matters if the offensive front doesn't keep defenses out of the backfield. Out of all the new parts from the portal, the 6-6, 302-pound Siani from Temple needs to rise up into a starting role at one of the jobs. If he's terrific, the tackles will be a plus, because … Wake Forest Demon Deacons Top Transfer, Biggest Transfer Loss Top Transfer In: Fa'alili Fa'amoe, OT of the best offensive tackles in the portal, the 6-5, 317-pound senior could've gone anywhere. The former Washington State star followed his coach, Jake Dickert, to Winston-Salem and should lock into one of the tackle Transfer Out: Luke Petitbon, C with the offensive line, it wasn't good last year, but some decent parts moved on. The 6-2, 295-pound Petitbon is a veteran center who quarterbacked the front, and now he's handling the gig at Florida State. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Key Game Georgia Tech, Sept. 27Wake Forest won the 2006 ACC Championship 9-6 over Georgia Tech. Since then, the two teams have only played four times, and the Yellow Jackets won all Forest doesn't leave home in September, and then come the road games. At worst, the Demon Deacons will be 2-2. If they beat NC State, this is a shot at the first 4-0 start since 2021.- 2025 Wake Forest Schedule Breakdown Wake Forest Demon Deacons Top 10 Players 1. Nick Andersen, S Sr.2. Dylan Hazen, LB Sr.3. Demond Claiborne, RB Sr.4. Fa'alili Fa'amoe, OT Sr.5. Gabe Kirschke, EDGE Jr.6. Davaughn Patterson, S Soph.7. Quincy Bryant, LB Sr.8. Carlos Hernandez, WR Jr.9. Robby Ashford, QB Sr.10. Matthew Dennis, PK Sr. Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2024 Fun Stats - 4th Quarter Scoring: Opponents 117, Wake Forest 56 - Sacks: Opponents 42 for 227 yards, Wake Forest 20 for 124 yards - 4th Down Conversions: Opponents 10-of-14 (71%), Wake Forest 16-of-25 (64%) Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2025 Season Prediction, Win Total, What Will Happen The Demon Deacons have a decent enough schedule to get back to a bowl don't deal with Clemson, and don't have to face Miami or Louisville. The tough dates against Georgia Tech, NC State, and SMU are at home, and overall, they only leave North Carolina four plenty of work to do, and there's a long trip to Oregon State right in the middle of the season, but Jake Dickert, thanks to his time at Wazzu, certainly knows how to deal with the Beavers. There are three wins - Delaware, Kennesaw State, and Western Carolina - to form a nice base, and while it won't be easy, they should be alive for a bowl game deep into The Wake Forest Win Total At … 5Likely Wins: Delaware, Kennesaw State, Western Carolina50/50 Games: at Duke, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, NC State, at Oregon State, SMU, at Virginia, at Virginia TechLikely Losses: at Florida State 2025 Wake Forest PreviewWake Forest Offense BreakdownWake Forest Defense Breakdown © 2025 The Arena Group Holdings, Inc. All rights reserved.

Five games that will decide if Dabo Swinney, Clemson return to College Football Playoff
Five games that will decide if Dabo Swinney, Clemson return to College Football Playoff

Yahoo

time2 days ago

  • Yahoo

Five games that will decide if Dabo Swinney, Clemson return to College Football Playoff

CLEMSON — Clemson returned to the College Football Playoff in 2024 for the first time in three seasons. The next step will be reaching its first national championship game since the 2019 season. The Tigers made the CFP after winning the ACC championship against SMU. They earned the No. 12 seed and lost to No. 5 Texas in the first round 38-24. Advertisement Clemson coach Dabo Swinney's team returns a wealth of experienced starters, including quarterback Cade Klubnik, and it added new defensive coordinator Tom Allen for 2025. ESPN's Football Power Index projects Clemson will win nine or 10 regular-season games, with a 34% chance to win the conference; a 47.3% chance to make the CFP; a 6.8% chance to make the national championship; and a 2.8% chance to win it all. Here's a look at which games could be the difference between making and missing the College Football Playoff in Swinney's 18th season. Clemson football schedule 2025: Expected results Before getting into the key games, here are the expected results for Clemson. Advertisement The Tigers should defeat Troy, a Group of Five program, and Furman, an in-state FCS school. They will face eight conference opponents and should defeat Syracuse, North Carolina, Boston College and Duke. If they lose any of those games, the margin of error becomes slimmer. A matchup that just missed the cut of being key-game consideration is Clemson vs. Florida State on Nov. 8. The Seminoles should be much improved after their disastrous 2024 season (last in the ACC), but Clemson likely will be able to handle them with relative ease. MORE: House settlement approves revenue sharing. Here's how Clemson will pay players Clemson vs. LSU on Aug. 30 This game (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC) is one of the marquee matchups of Week 1. It will be a rematch of the 2020 national championship game, which LSU won 42-25, and a battle between top-10 teams as both feature prominent coaches, Swinney and Brian Kelly, and quarterbacks who could be first-round selections in the 2026 NFL Draft: Klubnik and Garrett Nussmeier. Advertisement This game could be a résumé booster if they need to get an at-large bid for the CFP. Each also is looking to earn a Week 1 win for the first time in years. Clemson has not won a season-opening game since 2022; LSU has not won one since 2019. DraftKings Sportsbook has Clemson as a 3-point favorite. Clemson at Georgia Tech on Sept. 13 The Yellow Jackets are primed for a leap in Brent Key's third full season as a coach. They showed fight despite their 7-6 record in 2024, including their eight-overtime loss to Georgia to close the regular season. They also return sixth-year quarterback Haynes King. It is the Tigers' first time at Georgia Tech since 2020. They have won the past nine matchups, and this will be both teams' first conference game. The result will set the tone for how it will perform in ACC play. Clemson vs. SMU on Oct. 18 Clemson will face SMU in a rematch of last year's ACC championship. The Tigers won 34-31 on Nolan Hauser's 56-yard field goal. Advertisement ESPN's FPI projects the Mustangs as the third-best team in the conference in 2025, predicting them to win eight or nine games, with a 10.8% chance to win the ACC. They lost key contributors from their roster but return quarterback Kevin Jennings, who threw for 304 yards, three touchdowns and one interception against Clemson in the ACC title game. Clemson at Louisville on Nov. 14 Coach Jeff Brohm's team nearly ruined Clemson's CFP chances last season after it beat the Tigers 33-21 for the first time ever. The Cardinals lost quarterback Tyler Shough but added Southern California transfer Miller Moss to replace him and retained experienced players. This game is on a Friday and is the Tigers' final regular-season ACC matchup (with South Carolina and Furman after that). They are 4-0 in road games at Louisville, including a 30-24 win in their last game in 2021. They must avoid another mishap in their bid to make the conference championship game. Clemson at South Carolina on Nov. 29 The Palmetto Bowl will take center stage in Columbia, South Carolina. The Gamecocks shocked Clemson last year, winning 17-14 behind quarterback LaNorris Sellers' late-game heroics. He returns for a potential final showdown against Klubnik. Advertisement South Carolina is looking for its first CFP bid, and a win against Clemson will boost its résumé. Still, Clemson has won each of its past five road games at Williams-Brice Stadium. Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@ and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00 This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football schedule 2025: Key games for Dabo Swinney, CFP hopes

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