Syracuse Football: Initial game analysis of Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Paul A. Esden Sr gives us the lowdown on all things involved with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Here’s the details on this road matchup.

The ninth game of the 2018 Syracuse Orange Campaign is against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

Once again I have to address the elephant in the room… what in the heck is a Demon Deacon?!?

"“It turns out that Wake Forest was originally founded as a Baptist college. In 1923, the Wake Forest football team defeated rival Trinity (later renamed Duke University). In the following issue of the school newspaper, the editor of the paper, Mayon Parker (1924 Wake Forest graduate), first referred to the team as “Demon Deacons,” in recognition of what he called their “devilish” play and fighting spirit. Henry Belk, Wake Forest’s news director, and Garrity liked the title and used it often, so the popularity of the term grew. Well after that it stuck.” Now we know…."

We enter this game with our Orange ranked in the USA Today, AP and College Football Playoff and the most wins (for a season) that we have had in recent history. The ‘Quest for 6’ has been ACHIEVED.  Now we need to take a few minutes to revel in it and then get back to the task at hand which is winning games.  We enter another unfamiliar arena as we are favored by 5 points to win the game, with the ESPN matchup predictor giving the OITNF a 65% chance of winning this matchup.

Let’s get to work by looking this year’s numbers to date:

• Total Offense: SU (17th) vs Wake Forest (37th)
• Rushing: SU (42nd) vs Wake Forest (17th)
• Passing: SU (22nd) vs Wake Forest (80th)
• Total Defense: SU (89th) vs Wake Forest (120th)
• Rushing: SU (70th) vs Wake Forest (107th)
• Passing: SU (102nd) vs Wake Forest (115th)

Key insights for Syracuse:

• This is another game that Syracuse needs to keep the pedal to the metal, the foot on the opponents throat and in the ancient words of Mortal Kombat ‘FINISH HIM’. This is not NC State, Clemson or some of the other powerful teams still left on our schedule (Notre Dame/Boston College). This is a game we should WIN and need to WIN so that our moment in the sun of being a ranked team doesn’t fade into the sunset. Wake Forest is a team with a bipolar disorder. They are a team that can go toe to toe with some of the best teams in the country as they did with Boston College and Notre Dame (at least for three quarters) and then they can get embarrassed by Clemson 63-3 and be dominated by a woeful Florida State. The Orange need to stay on their toes and execute.

Keys insights for Wake Forest:

• Similar to my comment above Wake Forest is a team that  struggles with their identity at times. They went blow for blow with Notre Dame before fading down the stretch so they are capable of slinging the ball down the field.
• The other shoe is they have a solid rushing offense. Louisville is not at the top of the ACC this year but they have talent and Wake ran for 368 yards. Player for the Orange defense to watch for is Matt Colburn who had the game of his life against the Cardinals rushing for 243 yards and 3 touchdowns. This could have been a result of a snub as Louisville pulled a scholarship offer away from Matt within 48 hours of signing day. What do they say about karma?
  • Our defense which has struggled at times needs to prevent him from getting on track.  This will be key to an Orange victory.

So now after I have looked at the numbers, some key insights and now is the time for the prediction. I know that I have said this is a game that we cannot afford to lose many times this year and I will not disappoint you on this.

For the Orange to stay relevant and keep our momentum going we need to play the game we all know we can. I see Dino getting the boys ready and winning this game going away 45-10.  Remember to be loud, be proud, BE ORANGE.