2008 Wake Forest College Football Predictions

Wake Forest returns a solid group that has won 20 games the past two seasons. Another solid year is a given, but early dates with Florida State and Clemson could keep the Deacs from a second ACC title in three years. Find out if Wake can get it done in Jimmy Boyd's 2008 Wake Forest Demon Deacons predictions and season preview.
 

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Offense

Riley Skinner is a winner and he'll be taking the snaps for the Demon Deacons once again in 2008. The junior has already tied Wake Forest's record for wins by a starting QB with 18 and will shatter it by the time he graduates. He led the nation with a 72.4 percent completion rate last season. It would have been even higher if we could count the 13 completions he had to the other team. He'll have to pull that number down this year. Skinner will be joined in the backfield by running back Josh Adams, who was voted ACC Rookie of the Year after rushing for 953 yards and 11 touchdowns. The offense will be missing the ACC's leading receiver, Kenneth Moore, who caught 98 balls a year ago. No one on the roster will be able to fill his shoes, but the Deacs will call on Chip Brinkman and D.J. Boldin often in 2008.

Defense

Wake Forest's defense is well-know for its big play abilities with cornerback Alphonso Smith and outside linebacker Aaron Curry providing most of the fireworks. Smith intercepted eight passes last season and returned three of those for scores to give him an ACC record-tying four for his career. He is such a big play threat that plans are for Wake to work him into the punt return game and into spot duty at wide receiver. Curry matched Smith in terms of scoring from the defensive side of the ball, returning interceptions for touchdowns from 57, 77, and 84 yards. The Deacons added two more fumble recoveries for scores to make them the best big play defense in the conference. Wake returns its secondary from 2007 intact as well as steady nose guard Boo Robinson and middle linebacker Stanley Arnoux.

Special Teams

Sam Swank was voted MVP of the 2006 title season by his teammates. He is already Wake's all-time leading scorer and is a phenomenal 9-of-12 on kicks from 50 yards and beyond. It's safe to say that he'll be playing on Sunday's. With the graduation of Kenneth Moore and Kevin Marion, the Deacs will need to find some new punt and kick return options to help shorten the field.

Prediction – 2nd ACC Atlantic

Head coach Jim Grobe has built this program to the point of being a perennial contender, but it doesn't appear that Wake will be able to capture its second ACC title in three years this season. It will likely take some time to find the options to replace star wideout Kenneth Moore so it is unfortunate that Wake Forest must play at Florida State and against Clemson early in the season.

Jimmy Boyd's college football predictions will have you up to speed on all the best teams in the best conference across the country before week one even hits. This way you can go into the season ready to beat the college football odds instead of feeling out the teams for a couple weeks. Crush your book all year long with Jimmy Boyd's NCAA football picks.

July 4th, 2008