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Florida State vs. Wake Forest: Game Preview With TV Schedule





It’s starting to look like the Florida State Seminoles are a national title game-worthy team and it’s yet to be seen who can even make a game close against this team. The Seminoles are 8-0 on the season with the closest win coming by 14 points. In other words, this team is nearly unstoppable.

On the other side of the field, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons are one of the weakest teams in the ACC this season. Wake Forest is just 4-5 on the year with a chance to make a bowl game, but the Demon Deacons have somewhat of a tough schedule remaining, starting with this game against Florida State.

Florida State is one of the strongest offensive teams in the country and that has been due, in large part, to redshirt freshman quarterback Jameis Winston who has 2,502 yards and 24 touchdowns for the ninth-ranked passing offense in the nation. He has a good possibility of being the second freshman to ever win the Heisman. It looks like the quarterback has all the confidence in the world, passing to his favorite target, Rashad Greene, more often than not. Greene has 45 catches for 773 yards and an impressive eight touchdowns.

Wake Forest might be just two wins away from bowl eligibility, but the Demon Deacons have to take down the Seminoles this week at home if they want a better chance — almost impossible to win the final two games with a bowl on the line. Senior quarterback Tanner Price has been the leader on offense, passing for 1,951 yards and 12 touchdowns to go along with five interceptions. Price is also second on the team in rushing with 148 yards and three scores. Michael Campanaro is one of the top wide outs in the conference with 67 catches for 803 yards and six touchdowns.

Defensively, the Demon Deacons rank 20th in the nation in points against per game as well as 56th in the nation in yards allowed per game with just under 400. Florida State ranks fourth in points against and sixth in yards allowed per game — one of the most balanced teams in the nation.

Florida State will travel to Wake Forest to take on the Demon Deacons at 12 p.m. EST on Saturday, Nov. 9. The game will be broadcasted on ABC.

PREDICTION: Florida State 45, Wake Forest 13

Related: Florida State Rightfully Jumps Oregon In BCS Standings

BCS Rankings: Florida State Seminoles Earn No. 2 Spot for Now

Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at .

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Miami Hurricanes Ride Back Of Duke Johnson To Win vs. Wake Forest





The Miami Hurricanes entered their matchup with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons as a prohibitive favorite. The Hurricanes were ranked No. 7 in the nation and had an offense that was averaging 42.1 points per game. However, the Hurricanes were in a battle from start to finish and relied on running back Duke Johnson to carry them to a 24-21 victory in Sun Life Stadium.

The Hurricanes’ offense looked lackluster following a nine-day lay off. The Hurricanes totaled 391 yards and were 6-of-13 on third-down conversions. Wake Forest was able to control the line of scrimmage early in the game and held a 14-10 lead late into the fourth quarter.

However, that is when Johnson took over the ball game. The sophomore seemed determined to carry the load for the offense. Johnson was able to pound the Demon Deacons’ defensive front for tough yards and put the Hurricanes into scoring position. Johnson’s four-yard run with 5:36 left in the fourth gave the Hurricanes a 17-14 lead. Johnson capped off his spectacular day with a one-yard touchdown run that sealed the victory for Miami.

Johnson finished the ball game with 168 rushing on 30 carries (5.2 yards per carry) and two touchdowns. More impressively, was his ability to come up big when his team needed him the most. In the fourth quarter, Johnson was able to rip the Wake Forest defense for 80 of his 168 total rushing yards.

Johnson’s big day solidified him as a legitimate featured back and possible dark horse candidate for the Heisman Trophy. His effort helped  move the Hurricanes to a perfect 8-0 on the season and keep their National Championship hopes alive for another week.

The Hurricanes and Duke Johnson will have another opportunity to make a statement next weekend when the Hurricanes face No. 2 Florida State in Coral Gables.

Joseph Lisi is a writer for www.Rantsports.com, follow him on Twitter @GoForthe2, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.

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Wake Forest vs. Miami: Game Preview With TV Schedule

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The Miami Hurricanes are quickly gaining steam in ACC play. Not many people believed that this team could contend at the beginning of the season, but they have proven many doubters wrong. As a 6-0 team through eight weeks, the Hurricanes are already bowl eligible and looking for BCS bowl status.

On the other side of the field, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons are coming off a big win against the Maryland Terrapins and two straight victories overall. They are just 4-3 and could use a big win against Miami with a tough schedule remaining for the 2013 campaign.

Miami has a pretty solid offense that mixes the pass and the run well. Duke Johnson leads the run game as a sophomore with 655 yards and four touchdowns on just 92 carries. Backup running back Dallas Crawford doesn’t have nearly the same amount of yards as Johnson, 256, but his touchdown rate is much higher as he has nine. Stephen Morris leads the pass offense with 1,272 yards and nine touchdowns, but he needs to improve on his eight interceptions and sub-60 percent completion rate.

Wake Forest doesn’t excel in any aspect of the offense particularly, but the pass game is a bit stronger than the rushing attack. Ranking 72nd nationally in pass yards per game, senior quarterback Tanner Price is having one of his best seasons as a collegiate quarterback. Passing for 1,472 yards and 10 touchdowns with a 60.2 completion percentage, his highest in four years, he has the Demon Deacons thinking bowl game. His favorite target, Michael Campanaro, has helped him out in reaching the solid numbers he has so far in 2013, catching 55 passes for 704 yards and five touchdowns.

Defensively, the Demon Deacons are not what you would call an easy team to score on. They rank 24th in the nation by allowing just over 20 points per game and 60th in the nation by allowing just over 400 yards per game. Miami ranks 11th in the country, allowing just 17.2 points per game, and 35th in the nation with 370 yards allowed per game.

Wake Forest will travel to Miami to take on the Hurricanes at 12 p.m. EST on Saturday, Oct.26. The game will be broadcasted on ESPNU.

PREDICTION: Wake Forest 14, Miami 34

Connor Muldowney is a columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Connormuldowney, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google. You can also reach him at .

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Nikita Whitlock Critical for Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Maryland Terrapins





The Wake Forest Demon Deacons have put themselves in a precarious position as they attempt to get back to the bowl season in 2013. Losing early, winnable games against the Boston College Eagles and Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks has the Deacons at 3-3 at the midway point with a rough ACC schedule still in front of them. If they want to get to six wins, they need to pull off the upset this weekend against the Maryland Terrapins which means nose tackle Nikita Whitlock must come to play.

Whitlock has undoubtedly been the defensive MVP for Wake Forest through the first six games. The senior defensive lineman ranks No. 3 in the ACC in tackles for loss (11.5) and No. 7 in sacks (5.0). He is third-leading tackler for the team with 40 total tackles this season and has forced two fumbles, recorded four quarterback pressures and even blocked a kick. He’s been doing it all for the Deacons in the middle and he’ll need to do even more on Saturday.

Maryland’s offense has taken off this season thanks to the stability under center provided by C.J. Brown. He was knocked out of the Terps’ loss to the Florida State Seminoles with a concussion and missed Maryland’s next game against the Virginia Tech Hokies, but when healthy and on the field he has been dynamic for the Terps. He’s improved his passing ability this season, completing 63.7 percent of his passes this season for 1,125 yards and seven touchdowns, but it’s his athleticism that has been a difference maker in 2013. In just four and a half games, Brown has rushed for 286 yards and six touchdowns.

Making Brown uncomfortable in the pocket and containing his ability to pull it down and run with it will be the for the Wake Forest defense this weekend. Pressure up the middle from Whitlock will help to close down some of his running lanes up the middle and lead to some opportunities for negative plays for the Deacons’ D. Whitlock has to get a push up the middle and collapse the pocket to keep Brown from getting into a rhythm, but luckily for Jim Grobe, his big nose tackle is just the guy to get it done.

You can follow me on Twitter @Teeblerone, on Facebook and on Google

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