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Rookie
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Re: Riddell: A Football Life (NCAA 13)
2012 AP Preseason Poll
1. Alabama
2. USC
3. LSU
4. Oregon
5. Oklahoma
6. Georgia
7. Arkansas
8. Florida State
9. Michigan
10. West Virginia
11. South Carolina
12. Michigan State
13. Kansas State
14. Clemson
15. Virginia Tech
16. Wisconsin
17. TCU
18. Ohio State
19. Nebraska
20. Stanford
21. Boise State
22. Texas
23. Oklahoma State
24. Notre Dame
25. Florida
www.espn.com/collegefootballpredictions - Wake Forest 2012 season predictions
Article by Joe Lagely
February 10th, 2012
Ah, our first ACC team: the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Many were outright shocked when Jim Grobe stepped down (some will tell you fired), and Jacksonville Jaguars QB Coach Chris Riddell was brought in for two years.
Riddell starts from scratch, rebuilding a team that usually sits in the ACC basement, save for 2006. A new coaching staff, tough schedule, everyone is wondering: can Wake Forrest break 6 wins? Read my "Crystal Ball"-esque predictions for my take.
WF schedule:
Week One - 9/1/12, vs. Air Force
Week Two - 9/8/12, vs. UNC
Week Three - 9/15/12, @ FSU
Week Four - 9/22/12, vs. Army
Week Five - 9/29/12, vs. Duke
Week Six - 10/6/12, @ Maryland
Week Seven - BYE
Week Eight - 10/20/12 @ Virginia
Week Nine - 10/25/12, vs. Clemson
Week 10 - 11/3/12, vs. Boston College
Week 11 - 11/10/12, @ NC State
Week 12 - 11/17/12, @ Notre Dame
Week 13 - 11/24/12, vs. Vanderbilt
WEEK ONE: VS. AIR FORCE; WF wins, 19-14
This game should've been against Liberty, but alas, here we are. This game shouldn't be close, right? Well, it will be. I think Wake Forest's defense will hold their own, but a weak offensive line will complicate things for the 'Deacs. If Sheldon Dixon, last year’s starter starts, expect a good performance from him.
WEEK TWO: VS. UNC; UNC wins, 24-10
Say what you will about the scandal ridden UNC Tar Heels, but I think this will be a key, signature win for new coach Larry Fedora.
I think that if UNC’s defense does what it is supposed to, Dixon and John Allen, who many presume will be the workhorse running back, will be clogged down at home, as Wake falls to 1-1.
WEEK THREE: @ FSU; FSU wins, 41-10
Oh dear. Jimbo Fisher and his Heisman candidate QB would be enough to send anyone scared running. But add in the killer D, coached by Mark Stoops? Wake is going to be lucky to score 3 points. Predicting a less than 50% completion for Dixon (if named starter).
WEEK FOUR: VS. ARMY; Army wins, 27-24
Wake is going to get killed by the option, plain and simple. Last year, they struggled, and with what many are saying will be a new defensive scheme, the growing pains will kick in. Wake is going to lose a close one at home, as they fall to 1-3.
WEEK FIVE: VS. DUKE; WF wins, 28-14
This is going to be a crucial win for Riddell and crew. Duke is certainly not the team WF is, and will just outmatched and outchoach. WF gets a win here. Dixon finds his footing here after losing 3 straight.
WEEK SIX: @ MARYLAND; WF wins, 21-17
This is practically Duke, but with a change of scenery. Dixon gets with the new offensive scheme after six weeks, and I think this game is over before the half (if my computer simulation proves right, WF should have a 21-3 Halftime lead.) Yeah, giving up 2 scores after the break and not scoring might not be good, but now, things are 3-3 for the Demon Deacs.
BYE
WEEK SEVEN: @ VIRGINIA; UVA wins, 33-15
The wheels fall off here. The WF DBs are okay, not good, not great. This is going to turn very ugly, as I predict the team will start to depend on them more, facing pass friendly offenses. 3-4, WF.
WEEK EIGHT: vs. Clemson; Clemson wins, 28-0
I know, I know. I must be pretty bold predicting a home team won’t score. But trust me. At this point, while doing my Clemson simulation, they are 5-2, #14 in the nation. To be frank, they’ll be playing mad as hell, and that D-line, seeking to prove itself, will beat up Dixon. I think the WF gives up AT LEAST 4 or 5 sacks, as Dixon struggles to get the ball off with his young O-line getting attacked. WF falls to 3-5.
WEEK NINE: vs. Boston College; WF wins, 10-3
Two coaches. One unproven, one who is most likely going to get fired. One team is decent, good offensively, could be a whole lot better defensively. This is going to be an ugly game, period. This game really is Chris Riddell’s to lose. A loss here, and the hot seat will be scorching, hotter than the Sun. WF is 4-5.
WEEK TEN: @ Boston College; WF wins, 45-42
Wake Forest fans, I’m not against you guys, you just have a tough schedule. And yes, you read that right. I have you beating NC State. Our prediction has NC State 8-1, #16 ranked (shocking, we know), at this point in the schedule, and coming home to a struggling Wake team. I think Wake comes, seeking redemption, and shocks a cocky NCSU team. Dixon will throw for at least 300 yards in this game. WF is 5-5.
WEEK ELEVEN: @ Notre Dame; ND wins 52-3
*Sigh*. National title contender. At home. Top 3 Defense in the country. Red hot offense. This one will hurt. Bad. WF is 5-6
WEEK 12: vs. Vanderbilt; Vand wins, 24-7
James Franklin is going to be gone. Word is a bigger, better schools wants him. Our simulation has Vandy at 9-2 this point in the year. Wake is coming of one of their worst losses in program history. They’re tired. They want this season to be over. And they’ll play like it. This one looks closer than it’ll be.
WAKE FINAL RECORD: 5-7
Don’t be surprised that if this happens, Chris Riddell, the brand new shiny coach, is out of a job. He could just be a transition coach, the guy who bridges between old, and new, that new leading this team to new heights. However, one thing I am certain of, is recruiting. Riddell has already hit the road recruiting, and I am fully confident Wake has a top 25, possibly even a top 20 or even 15 class. That’s my bold take. I think if things go as well as planned, 2013 can be a great bounce back year, with an 8-4 floor.
Last edited by Riddell; 09-11-2019 at 04:18 PM.
Reason: rostering
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05-27-2019, 07:34 PM
