The Clemson Tigers will follow their game against Florida State with a matchup with Wake Forest in Winston-Salem, N.C.
The Tigers are 16-0 all-time against Wake Forest under head coach Dabo Swinney. However, it has not always been easy.
Two years ago, Clemson needed double overtime to knock off the Demon Deacons.
What can we expect from Wake Forest this year?
OFFENSE
Wake Forest’s unanswered questions start at quarterback. With 2023 starter Mitch Griffis gone, the helm is to be taken by Boise State transfer Hank Bachmeier, who put up over 6,000 yards across three seasons with the program. His competitor, Michael Kern, has been a part of the Demon Deacon’s system for five years.
Regardless, it looks like the QB room will be headed by Bachmeier as the new man running the show.
After losing their top rusher in 2022, Demond Claiborne leads the ground game and is expected to be a big piece for the offense. A powerful and explosive runner, he led the team last year with 586 yards at 4.3 a carry. He will be seeing the field a lot this year.
In addition to losing a big rusher, Wake Forest lost three of their top four receivers from 2023. Huge losses, but not all is gone, with senior Taylor Morin, who averaged 15 yards a catch with over 600 yards, leading the room. Donavan Greene, a promising and talented receiver for the Deacons, returns after significant injuries from the past few years. Tight end Cameron Hite, who got some work in 2023, will most likely be getting a lot more work this year with a smaller array of options available at receiver.
The offensive line for Wake Forest was not nearly as consistent and fluid as it needed to be, and it must see improvement for them this season. Allowing 49 sacks with 4.08 sacks a game and 91 tackles for loss last year, things have to get better if the offense is going to produce. Erik Russell and DeVonte Gordon will lead the line, and hope to establish something up front for the array of other lineman to follow.
DEFENSE
Wake Forest’s defense holds a lot more promise and security than the offense.
Starting with the line, Jasheen Davis and Kendron Wayman run the edges, and they run them well. With a combined 9.5 sacks and 84 tackles, they will be the spark on the line that interior stars like seniors Kevin Pointer and Bryce Ganious, as well as good defensive line depth, can follow.
Dylan Hazen leads the linebacker core, with players like Jacob Roberts and Quincy Bryant following. Fifth year senior and Southern Illinois transfer Branson Combs, who joins the group and is going to add to the already powerful defensive group.
In the secondary, Evan Slouch and Nick Anderson are having to rise up at safety and perform big with the departure of Malik Mustapha, who was drafted this year to the San Francisco 49ers. Kent State transfer Capone Blue is much needed help at cornerback, but the rest of the unit will need help from the younger men.
SPECIAL TEAMS
With Morin and Clairborne working on the return game, and fifth year punter Ivan Mora taking the helm yet again, the kicking game is totally up in the air. After hitting only 14 of his 20 field goal attempts last year, his job is in competition with Caleb Carson and Ben Morgan.
OVERVIEW
Wake Forest has a lot to do this year. With a defensive unit filled with talent and potential, it will need to lean on it while the offense gets its flow.
Both the Tigers and the Demon Deacons are similar. Both have some unanswered questions on offense, with expectations being higher than in 2023, and skepticism with performance at special teams.
These two teams face on Oct. 12 in a crucial ACC game.
— Rich Barnes / USA TODAY Sports
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