Monday, September 18, 2006

Weak Forest? No.

I left a comment on this at Heismanpundit's site. Here's something to look out for:

Wake Forest. Undefeated in November.

Seriously.

Look at their schedule. The Demon Deacons are 3-0, and have a really manageable schedule ahead of them.

Next weekend they travel to Ole Miss, who just crapped the bed against Kentucky and got blown out by Missouri. The Rebels are reeling.

The next weekend they've got 1-AA Liberty. Yes, the ACC hasn't had much luck against 1-AA opponents this year, but Wake should be able to handle it.

October 7th Wake takes on Clemson in Winston Salem. Yes, Clemson will be a big favorite, but look at the history. Clemson has not played well in recent years against Wake. The last two visits to Wake have ended up as losses for the Tigers. In 2003 Wake pounded Clemson 45-17. Even when the game's in Death Valley, the Deacons have played Clemson close, with the last two final scores within a single possession. Of course Clemson will be favored, heavily. But don't sleep on this one. It is not beyond the realm of possibility for Wake to beat Clemson.

The next two matchups are starting to look very reasonable.

Wake plays NC State on October 14th. Then, after a bye, the Deacons take on North Carolina. Both are on the road, but both NC State and UNC have already played very poorly at home this season (NC State against Akron, UNC against Rutgers, Virginia Tech and Furman).

I would not be surprised to see Wake Forest unbeaten when they play Boston College in Winston Salem on November 4th. Unbeaten on November 4th. Seriously. And even then, don't be surprised if Wake leaves atop the Atlantic Division. Wake has won 2 of the last 3 against BC. Last year, when the Eagles won in Chestnut Hill, Wake blew a 9 point lead in the last 3 minutes. That was a poor Wake team against a good BC team.

Could it be possible that Wake goes to Tallahassee on November 11th with the division title on the line as a 9-0 team ranked in the top 20? Wake Forest in Jacksonville, with a few odd fumbles away from the BCS?

Madness.

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