Dave Clawson has turned Wake Forest’s program into a respectable one. The Demon Deacons have played in a bowl game every year since 2016 and won 19 games in the past two seasons. Betting on how Wake Forest will do this season is ultimately up to how the Demon Deacons transfer out of the Sam Hartman era.
Harman, who transferred to Notre Dame to play quarterback, rewrote a lot of Wake Forest’s record book under center. The Demon Deacons are hoping to develop Mitch Griffis into a strong option at quarterback.
Let’s see if the Wake Forest Demon Deacons have what it takes to back the betting odds to win the National Championship.
Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2023 Season Betting Guide | MyBookie College Betting Preview
Wake Forest Demon Deacons | Atlantic Coast Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season
School: Wake Forest University
Head coach: Dave Clawson | 19th season
Home field: Truist Field at Wake Forest | 31,500
Wake Forest Odds to Win Championship: +42000
Hartman’s Departure Leaves a Hole
There is no doubt that Hartman leaving the program has had a significant impact on how Wake Forest is viewed nationally. The over/under for the Demon Deacons has been set at six games, with the over being priced at -120. Wake Forest is priced at +6000 to win the Atlantic Coast Conference.
Griffis is a big concern for Wake Forest. While he was OK in his lone start against VMI last season, he is only 5-foot-11 and doesn’t have a lot of experience.
Reason for Optimism
Wake Forest has some experience returning at key spots. Michael Jurgens is a sixth-year offensive lineman who will be a guard for the first time. Donation Green and Jahmal Banks will return at wide receiver and will supply Griffis with targets.
In addition to Hartman departing, Wake Forest also lost deep-ball threat A.T. Perry, who was drafted by the New Orleans Saints.
Early Part of the Schedule Isn’t Too Grueling
Wake Forest will have a chance to work players into new positions well before ACC play starts. The Demon Deacons open up the year against FCS opponent Elon and will also play SEC bottomfeeder Vanderbilt. While the Commodores won’t be a guaranteed win, Wake Forest will have a chance to be competitive against them at home.
The matchup with Old Dominion in Week 3 could be a tricky one. The Monarchs have been punching above their weight class for the past several seasons and have toppled teams like Virginia Tech.
ACC Play will Test Wake Forest
The Demon Deacons will be tested heavily during their first five ACC games of the schedule. Wake Forest will have to take on defending champion Clemson on the road Oct. 7. The Demon Deacons will also have to take on Pitt, which won the ACC two seasons ago, and Florida State, which is highly ranked, in back-to-back weeks at home in late October.
You Again?
Seeing Hartman take advantage of the transfer portal after putting up big numbers at Wake Forest had to be crushing for the Demon Deacons. Seeing Hartman depart for a team that is on the schedule is even tougher. Wake Forest will travel to South Bend on Nov. 18 to play the Fighting Irish and Hartman.
National Championship Prediction
This is a year when Wake Forest will be in search of its identity as a program. The Demon Deacons will struggle to navigate through a difficult conference schedule. There are also one or two pratfalls potentially out of conference. Wake Forest will finish below the win total.
NCAA National Championship Pick: Bet Wake Forest Demon Deacons to Win
MyBookie Betting Lines for the Game
2023 Wake Forest Football Schedule
| Week | Date | Opponent | Venue | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All times ET | ||||
| 1 | Sep. 2 | Elon Phoenix | Allegacy Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | 7:00pm ET |
| 2 | Sep. 9 | Vanderbilt Commodores | Allegacy Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | 11:00am ET |
| 3 | Sep. 16 | at Old Dominion Monarchs | S.B. Ballard Stadium, Norfolk, VA | 12:00pm ET |
| 4 | Sep. 23 | Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets | Allegacy Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | TV TBA |
| 5 | Sep. 30 | OFF | ||
| 6 | Oct. 7 | at 9 Clemson Tigers | Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC | TV TBA |
| 7 | Oct. 14 | at Virginia Tech Hokies | Lane Stadium, Blacksburg, VA | TV TBA |
| 8 | Oct. 21 | Pittsburgh Panthers | Allegacy Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | TV TBA |
| 9 | Oct. 28 | 3 Florida State Seminoles | Allegacy Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | TV TBA |
| 10 | Nov. 2 | at Duke Blue Devils | Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham, NC | 7:30pm ET |
| 11 | Nov. 11 | NC State Wolfpack | Allegacy Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC | TV TBA |
| 12 | Nov. 18 | at 13 Notre Dame Fighting Irish | Notre Dame Stadium, Notre Dame, IN | 3:30pm ET |
| 13 | Nov. 25 | at Syracuse Orange | JMA Wireless Dome, Syracuse, NY | TV TBA |
| 14 | Dec. 2 | ACC Championship | Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC | 8:00pm ET |
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