After a superlative season last year that saw them with a 9-4 record and a Meinke Car Bowl win, a more mature team is ready to step onto the field with several pre -season polls putting them around 23rd - 24th position and the third highest ranked team in the ACC. Rivals have them at 24th, USA Today Coaches poll has them at 23rd, and Sporting News has them at 24th overall.

A college football team is one that is by neccessity has to rebuild itself every year. The great programs have been able to do for decades but with teams from colleges that are not among the elite football colleges, it is usually the case that a star player would carry the team to great heights for a year or two but then the team fades away when the player moves on. While Wake Forest has had its share of notables over the past several years, it remains foremost a team effort where everyone makes a contribution but no player could consider themselves indispensable.

So while stars like Steve Justice and Ken Moore have moved on, there are others to take their place. There may be a shift in emphasis this year. Whereas the offensive line was top notch last year, this year the defensive line looks to be the best in the ACC anchored by cornerback Alphonso Smith and linebacker Aaron Curry. Whereas the big plays centered on Kenny Moore with his ability to run, receive and return kicks, the offense may see more of the running option centered on Josh Adams and newcomer Brandon Pendergrass. But commanding it all will be junior Riley Skinner. Not the flashiest of quarterbacks nor one equipped with a bazooka for an arm but is steady in the pocket and is quick enough to read the field in front of him to make the best of the situation.

So all of the pieces are in place for another successful season this year by Wake Forest. Unlike last year’s start which had them facing Nebraska and Boston College early, the Deacons will have two games against weaker ranked teams before meeting a rebuilding Florida State. Week 5 will be critical as that will be the game against Clemson, touted by all sources as the team to beat in the ACC. Ff the team can pull out a victory there at home, then their chances to win the ACC championship again will look very good.