Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-0 SU, 1-1 ATS) vs. No. 5 Florida State Seminoles (2-0 SU, 1-1 ATS)
College Football Week 3
Date/Time: Saturday September 15th, 2012. 12:00PM Eastern
Where:Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, F.L.
TV: ESPN
by Jay, Football Handicapper, Predictem.com
Point Spread:Wake +24.5/Florida St. -24.5
Over/Under Total: OFF
Over the past two weeks, the no.5 ranked Florida State Seminoles
have dominated weaker opponents from the FCS by a combined score of 124-3.
This week the Seminoles look to embark in a tougher test when they welcome
the Wake Forest Demon Deacons into Doak Campbell Stadium.
While it will be the first ACC match-up for the Seminoles, Wake Forest enters
fresh off a big ACC upset last week over North Carolina. The Demon Deacons
were double digit point underdogs but pulled out a 28-27 victory when QB
Tanner Price ran for a game winning touchdown with 2:09 left on the clock.
This week the Demon Deacons look to pull off another big upset when they
travel to Tallahassee to battle Florida State for a noon kickoff.
Wake Forest will find their selves as similar double digit underdogs again this week against the mighty talent that is Florida State. Still, the Demon Deacons have an offense that can put pressure on the Seminoles highly touted defense. Last week, QB Tanner Price completed 27 of 38 passing for 327 yards against North Carolina’s defense. Price was not only accurate but he did a great job of getting the ball into the hands of WR Michael Campanaro. Campanaro, the Demon Deacons leading returning receiver from 2011, caught 13 passes for 164 yards last week. Both totals were career highs and needless to say a big factor in Wake Forest pulling off the upset.
Considering the troubles Wake Forest has had running the football, I think they will have to get another big performance from Price and Campanaro this Saturday. Florida State’s defensive line is talented up front and can plug holes in the run game. Therefore, the Demon Deacons need to spread the Seminoles defense and keep them off balance with quick throws. If they can make some plays in the passing game and play solid defense, there is no reason not to think they can contend in this ball game.
After all we really do not know how strong Florida State is at this point in the season. The Seminoles have yet to play a quality opponent and will get their first true test this Saturday. What we do know is that Florida State is extremely talented on both sides of the football. The Seminoles defense has given up just 3 points in two games despite giving backups a lot of playing time. The defensive front of the Seminoles is among the best in the nation. Defensive end Bjoern Werner leads the country with 5 sacks through two games. On the other end of the line, the Seminoles have All ACC DE Brandon Jenkins who can also make big plays as well. The overall talent for the Seminoles defensive line will overwhelm many offensive fronts in the ACC this year. Therefore, keep an eye out to see if Florida State has their way up front and can get quick pressure on Tanner Price.
On offense, Florida State has a pair of talented tailbacks in Devonta Freeman and James Wilder Jr. Both tailbacks have averaged just less than 8 yards per carry on 16 carries so far this season and will be a big focal point for the offense moving forward. QB E.J Manuel can also make a play or two with his feet to add more threat to the Florida State rushing attack. Still, Manuel is a guy that cannot only extend plays but find the open receiver as well. So far this year Manuel has completed 27 of 35 passing for 349 yards with 4 scores and 1 pick. Coach Jimbo Fisher hopes that his star quarterback can stay accurate through the course of 2012. Accuracy has been an issue for Manuel over the last year and it will be interesting to see if he can stay sharp against Wake Forest this Saturday.
Jay’s Pick to Cover the Point Spread:I expect this to be a slow starting game with both offenses playing cautious the first few serious. Florida State’s offense has put up a ton of points so far this year but I am not convinced that they are a top notch offense. I think that odds makers have made overestimated their potential. I like the Demon Deacons in a surprisingly close ball game. Take Wake Forest +24.5
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