Week 8 of the college football schedule see Wake Forest playing against Maryland on the road this Saturday. After a less than inspiring win against Clemson, the Deacons really need a strong offensive performance. The team has not really racked up any real strong numbers since the Baylor game on week 1. It is the defense, ranked among the best in the nation that is keeping the team competitive as it is and on top of the ACC standings in the Atlantic division.

Still, they are not exactly playing against a powerhouse team in Maryland. This is a team that seems to win the big games but then fall apart against more lightly rated opponents. So the question is what Maryland team will show up to play.

If Wake Forest was a solid team top to bottom, that would not be a concern but there are some question marks right now. First of all, will Sam Swank be available to kick. He is still nursing a groin injury incurred before the Clemson game which means Shawn Popham will resume the duties. In one respect that is not a bad thing as this is Swank’s senior year and Popham will take over from Swank next year so getting some real game experience could only benefit Popham and the team as a whole. But when the game is on the line, it is good to have a player of the caliber of Swank available to win the game much as he did against Ole Miss.

Rushing was a bit better last week but that was mostly due to Riley Skinner’s improvisation on the option and broken plays. Josh Adams has yet to get his breakout game this season. The receiving corps is still weak and really is not a deep ball threat keeping the Deacons pinned to relatively short yardage plays.

Still as a team, the Deacons have found a way to win in spite of themselves. Indeed, last year, Wake found itself down by 24-3 deficit to win 31-24 in overtime starting from an Alphonse Smith interception touchdown. I would strongly advise the team to avoid those tick plays like they did against Clemson with direct draws to the tailbacks especially in the 5 yard zone. The team needs more touchdowns.

A win against Maryland will put Wake in the dominant position in the Atlantic division en route to the ACC championship game.

Gametime: 12 noon
Television: Raycom Sports