Sizing Up Wake Forest
11 comments so far
September 5, 2007 by
The Demon Deacons are not the biggest team in the country, but they’ve got some beef where it counts. Wake Forest has excelled at stopping the run both last season and in the 2007 opener. They have a 326-lbs. space-eater at noseguard and some good-sized defensive ends that go 264 and 274 lbs. At 274 lbs. their starting defensive tackle is a bit undersized, but as a fifth year senior he brings veteran savvy. Behind them are a number of options at middle and strongside linebacker that all go 240 lbs. or more. The weakside ‘backer is smaller at 225, but that’s usually plenty at that position.
The Wake Forest secondary is another story. Aside from a 6’2” 220 lbs. free safety, the other three starting defensive backs range from 5’9” to 5’11” and between 179 and 191 lbs. Meanwhile, the Huskers entire stable of “X” receivers (Purify, Swift, Peterson, Holt) go 6’2” or taller and 200 lbs. or more. Even the “Z” receivers (Nunn, Hardy, Erickson, Paul) are all 6’ or 6’1”and 190 lbs. or more. That means the Huskers should have an advantage whether it is extending for high throws or blocking on outside run plays. Add to that the loss of Matt Robinson at defensive end from the pass rush and you can see why the Demon Deacons have struggled to stop the passing game.
Like Nevada, the starting offensive line is smallish (three starters weigh in under 300 lbs.), but they do have a massive right guard that goes 362 lbs. With a big fullback (259 lbs.) and starting tailback (230 lbs.), you’d think they could manage to at least power ahead for a few yards. But last week, they got nowhere against a BC team with a pair of mammoth defensive tackles (both weighed in over 335 lbs.) The Eagles were only slightly better than the Huskers at stopping the run in 2006, so it remains to be seen whether there’s any hope for Wake to get the running game going.
The Demon Deacons new starter at quarterback goes only 6’1” and 180 lbs. If Wake Forest can’t run the ball, you wonder whether he will be able to withstand the pounding that would come with throwing 40 or 50 passes. You’d also think Nebraska’s defensive line could get their hands up and tip a few passes. Their receivers aren’t especially big either. One starter is a Grixby-esque 5’10” 168 lbs. and their “bigger” starter goes only 6’ 204 lbs. So Nebraska’s secondary for the second straight week will be spared trying to match up with taller receivers.
With even the home-field advantage somewhat in doubt (the Deacons play in a small stadium and Husker fans travel well), it’s hard to picture Wake Forest winning the game. The early line has the Huskers by 6.5 and the spread may grow as game time approaches. But you’d still expect a better game than the one against Nevada, if for no other reason than the game won’t be in Lincoln. The Huskers next test is to see if they can take their show on the road and BRN will be there!
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Andrew Sep 05 07
Does anyone have tickets on the Wake side? My tickets for the game will be in section 2 row U. I was reading someother articles that said the Huskers may not travel well, and I was just trying to see if I will be completly surounded by Wake fans.
Scott Sep 05 07
This is going to be fun to watch....an early game on ESPN, first road game of the season, a just above average performance from a much-hyped QB the game before, and fans thinking we've already won the Big 12 North.
I'm anxious to see how this plays out and how we respond after the easy victory against Nevada.
Ryan Sep 05 07
I'd like to hear BRN's take on our receiving corps. They (Nunn & Franz, specifically) looked pretty average against Reno. Thankfully Mo will be back next week, however, he's going to get special treatment from every defense we face. Is the rest of our crew good enough to balance out the offense? A lot of their success depends on Sam's accuracy and ability to not telegraph passes. Is he going to improve enough in time to get W's against Wake and USC?
Darren Sep 05 07
Ryan, I can field your request. In short - it was obvious we missed Purify. That was the #1 area where I feel NU needs to improve in week 2.
While deep, NU's remaining corps hardly strikes fear in to opposing defensive backs.
T Nunn - I love the guy for his effort and contribution. But..The drops and the penchant for coming up "small" in big situations says he's not a #1 WR.
There is a shuffle of depth charting when Mo arrives. This means it is less likely that Hardy even sees the field, and so on.
And, WITH Purify, you not only get Mo's production, but favorable match ups for the rest of the crew. Swift and Peterson get more opportunity because Mo has the safties attention.
Still waiting for a younger guy to "step up", too. Nice to see Paul make a grab. And they tried to get Holt on a deep route.
It's a good group, but they need Mo on the field to be great.
James Moore Sep 05 07
Wake seems to have run out of their magic from last year. Skinner is possibly out for the year and their best DE is probably out for this game too. The Lord's honest truth is that we are Nebraska and they are Wake Forest. No matter how good Wake may be in any given year they should quite honestly never beat us. Important for the guys to be well prepared and come out ready to execute. If they play good assignment football and limit the mistakes they should walk out of Winston-Salem with a comfortable win. For what we all think could be a special year for us requires a business-like, efficient & dominant play on both sides of the line. Texas is vulnerable. If they can only get 21 with McCoy back and a ready Jamaal Charles at home against Arkansas St. then they require a little more scrutiny. Missouri has no defense & Kansas State is still a few years away. We will know if the Order is Restored over the next few weeks. Go Big Red!!!
ze Sep 05 07
We should handle Wake fairly well, that is if NE plays to it's abilities.
The real news today is that Callahan got a 3 year contract extension, and I'm thrilled about that! Nice article in ESPN.com(CFB).
OU7times Sep 05 07
NEBRASKA-34 WAKE FOREST-18
Scott Sep 05 07
To say NU is going to handle Wake easily is probably a little too much confidence, given what has happened to Michigan already and what almost happened to Texas. NU is just as vulnerable against Wake as those teams were to App. St. and Arkansas St. 1995 was a long time ago.......
Ryan Sep 06 07
Nebraska remembers vulnerability - remember ASU in 96, and KU in '05? This year's team has the opportunity to learn the easy way, while model Meechigan learns the hard way.
Greg Morrow Sep 06 07
I'd have thought those wild and crazy Demon Deacon fans would have "toe up" this blog by now, like when Steve had the gall and audacity to mildly criticise their recruiting class.
Large portion of their players are from Florida, they've already established they're a fast team, with a couple of huge guys tossed in.
This is a big stage for Wake Forrest and it's just as important to them for prestige's sake as it for Nebraska.
So, come on guys!
How'bout some friendly (or unfriendly, I don't care) SMACK?!
ze Sep 06 07
GM,
ya think Deac Clones are going to SMACK on our boards after losing to BC last week?....NOT!
They started running for their bomb shelters about Monday afternoon and I'm sure about now they're nestled into them & quite comfy--thanks!
After last spring's smack down from them, their absence now just shows their true colors. Don't they have some yellow in their unis?.......