ACC Blogger Football Preview Countdown – Atlantic #6: Wake Forest
Posted by Brandon Rink on July 15, 2010 under ACC Football | 
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The Deacs enter the post-Skinner era – who will step up?
Another year, another season removed from that ACC Championship - what will Grobe's boys do in 2010?
Projected Record: 4-8 (1-7 ACC)
Returning Starters: 15 (6 on offense and 7 on defense; 2 on special teams)
Schedule Difficulty in ACC: 11th.
Offense Rides On… Stability at QB. Wake Forest replaces Riley Skinner, who led Wake Forest to its second ACC Championship in the school’s history – it’s safe to say the Deacs are inexperienced wherever you look at the QB position.
Defensive Deficiency: Interior defensive line. The Deacs replace two quality defensive tackles in 2010 with a number of freshman.
Keyword: Execution – Grobe will be doing some wacky stuff on offense with his Demon Deacons, and Wake has had success with doing misdirection and option before – executing these plays will be key in moving the ball and putting up points.
Position by Position Grades (2009 Stats)
QB: C
MVP: Skylar Jones (No stats)
Gotta Step-Up: Brendan Cross (No stats)
RB: B+
MVP: Josh Adams (541 rushing yards and 4 TDs)
Gotta Step-Up: Brandon Pendergrass (339 yards and 1 TD)
WR/TE: B
MVP: Marshall Williams (867 receiving yards and 6 TDs)
Gotta Step-Up: TE Anthony Parker (90 yards and 2 TDs)
OL: C
MVP: C Russell Nenon
Gotta Step-Up: LT Steven Chase
DL: C+
MVP: DE Tristan Dorty (41 tackles[6 for loss], .5 sack)
Gotta Step-Up: DTs Kris Redding and John Gallagher (no stats)
LB: C+
MVP: Matt Woodlief (52 tackles, 1.5 for loss)
Gotta Step-Up: Joey Ehrmann (25 tackles, 5.5 for loss)
Sec: B
MVP: CB Kenny Okoro (38 tackles and 3 INTs)
Gotta Step-Up: SS Josh Bush (25 tackles and 1 INT)
K/P: C
MVP: Jimmy Newman (11/17 on FGs, 5/11 from 30+ yards)
Gotta Step-Up: Jimmy Newman
Schedule Analysis + W/Ls
| DATE | OPPONENT | W/L |
| 9/02 | Presbyterian | W 42-14 |
| 9/11 | Duke | W 21-19 |
| 9/18 | @ Stanford | L 31-17 |
| 9/25 | @ Florida State | L 45-13 |
| 10/02 | Georgia Tech | L 44-21 |
| 10/09 | Navy | W 27-24 |
| 10/16 | @ Virginia Tech | L 28-16 |
| 10/30 | @ Maryland | L 24-20 |
| 11/06 | Boston College | L 27-21 |
| 11/13 | @ North Carolina State | L 42-17 |
| 11/20 | Clemson | L 24-14 |
| 11/27 | @ Vanderbilt | W 24-17 |
Bye Week: at Maryland, October 30.
Toughest Game: at Florida State, September 25.
Key Conference Game: at Maryland, October 30.
Season Hinges on… at Vanderbilt, November 27.
The Why…
Why Sixth?: The Deacs have struggled ever since the improbable 2006 run, and they lose their star 4-year starter Riley Skinner to graduation. Grobe’s offense will feature his talent at the tailback and wide receiver positions with various forms of the option, misdirection and the like. The defense has a chance to be solid with the back seven talented and front four with some questions. Overall, they play a strong schedule and it will bite them with another subpar season in Winston-Salem.
Could be higher if… The offense gels quick as they pull off some upsets at home en route to a postseason trip.
Loading ...Does Wake Forest reach a bowl in their first season in 4 years without Skinner at QB? Or is it another disappointing season in Winston-Salem? Drop your thoughts below…
Previews So far…
Atlantic #5: NC State
Coastal #2: Georgia Tech
Atlantic #2: Boston College
Coastal #5: Duke
Atlantic #4: Maryland
Coastal #3: Miami
Atlantic #3: Clemson
Coastal #4: UNC
Intro to the Countdown
