Wake Forest Football

Former Wake Forest Demon Deacons assistant coach Tommy Elrod was fired from his post as one of the team's radio broadcasters on Tuesday after a school-led investigation revealed he attempted to provide or provided information regarding the team's game plan to opponents.

"Based on emails, text messages and phone records, Tommy Elrod, a radio announcer for Wake Forest football games, provided or attempted to provide confidential and proprietary game preparations on multiple occasions, starting in 2014," the school said in a press release, according to SB Nation's Blogger So Dear.

Following Wake Forest's 44-12 loss to the Louisville Cardinals on Nov. 12, the Demon Deacons announced they were launching an investigation after a member of the program found "documents inside Louisville's stadium that showed specific plays the Demon Deacons had never run previously," according to ESPN.com's Andrea Adelson.

After the game, Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino denied his coaching staff was ever made aware of Wake Forest's specific game plan.

"I heard about it right before we got on the plane to leave," he said on ESPN's Mike & Mike, according to the Courier-Journal's Steve Jones. "But I can assure you that we prepare each week the way that you're supposed to prepare, and I like the fact that our team knows how to do that."

On Wednesday, Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich issued a statement on the investigation, per Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports:

#Louisville AD Tom Jurich addresses WakeForest investigation #Wakeyleaks pic.twitter.com/d6quDTa50J

— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 14, 2016

The ACC would also release a statement on Wednesday, per Eric Crawford of WDRB in Louisville:

Protecting competitive integrity is fundamental to the Atlantic Coast Conference. The conference office is in the process of obtaining the internal findings from Wake Forest University. Based on the information provided, and any other information obtained, the league office will perform its due diligence, and as necessary, additional discussions and actions will occur.

"We were contacted by Wake Forest," Army athletic director Boo Corrigan said in a phone interview with Sports Illustrated' Pete Thamel on Wednesday. "We're looking into it."

Corrigan would not elaborate further, per Thamel.

On Thursday, Virginia Tech athletic director Whit Babcock told Thamel the university had been contacted as part of the probe as well. He said the school was "disappointed and embarrassed."

Former Virginia Tech head coach Frank Beamer also released a statement:

Statement from former Head Coach Frank Beamer pic.twitter.com/VUhsaCeF9x

— Virginia Tech Football (@HokiesFB) December 15, 2016

Elrod previously served as an assistant coach for the Wake Forest football team for 11 seasons under former boss Jim Grobe, but he did not return after Dave Clawson took over as head coach in 2014.

Clawson expressed his disappointment in Elrod's actions Tuesday, per the school's press release (via Blogger So Dear):

I am extremely disappointed that our confidential and proprietary game preparation was compromised. It's incomprehensible that a former Wake Forest student-athlete, graduate-assistant, full-time football coach, and current radio analyst for the school, would betray his alma mater. We allowed him to have full access to our players, team functions, film room, and practices. He violated our trust which negatively impacted our entire program. I am glad we have taken steps to ensure it will not happen in the future. At this point, this is a matter for [athletic director] Ron Wellman and others to act on. My staff and I are focused on Temple and preparing the team for the Military Bowl.

Despite Elrod's meddling, the Demon Deacons (6-6) have six wins for the second time in the last eight seasons. In fact, Wake's six wins in 2016 equaled the total the team combined to post during Clawson's first two years as head coach.

Looking ahead, Clawson and Co. will attempt to put the bizarre storyline in the rearview mirror as they prepare for a Dec. 27 Military Bowl clash with the Temple Owls.

If the Demon Deacons come out on top, it will represent the program's first bowl win since Grobe led Wake Forest past Navy in the 2008 EagleBank Bowl.

What a time to be an NFL cornerback. Just on the eve of free agency, cornerbacks Byron Maxwell and Kareem Jackson have already hit it rich. Maxwell has reportedly been offered a $63 million contract by the Philadelphia Eagles, and Jackson is re-signing with Houston for $34 million.

Cornerback is absolutely a premium position in the NFL; along with quarterback, pass-rusher and offensive tackle. Teams will be prioritizing quality cornerbacks in the draft to stay young, cheap and talented at the position.

Wake Forest cornerback Kevin Johnson is one of the top secondary prospects in the 2015 draft class, but he could prove to be a steal nonetheless.

Johnson currently ranks as the second-best cornerback in the draft by CBSSports.com. He’s projected as a fringe first-round prospect. After digging into his film, there is little doubt that he deserves to be considered a first-round lock.

To be a successful cornerback in the NFL, the physical capabilities of the player are important, but they are secondary to the mental aspect. Often times, the 40-yard dash champions fail to make an impact in the NFL despite their immense straight-line speed. Of the eight fastest cornerbacks since 2000 at the NFL combine, only Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie and Johnathan Joseph have had solid careers.

More important than straight-line speed is an unquantifiable trait. Ball awareness is paramount but is not always rewarded with an interception or deflection. There isn’t really one measurement that projects best to the NFL because cornerbacks must be instinctive, quick, smart and technically sound.

That’s the checklist for many of the great cornerbacks in the NFL. Darrelle Revis, Richard Sherman, Brent Grimes, Chris Harris Jr., among some others, each excel in those areas. The next tier of cornerbacks feature at least two or three of those skills, but consistency in technique is often a differentiator.

Evaluating Kevin Johnson is a treat because he often shows at least three of the four main traits. The 6’0”, 188-pound cornerback has many ideal measureables, including 31” arms, elite leaping ability and a short shuttle time. His playing weight of just 173 pounds during the season was evident at times, but he added 15 pounds by the combine. Combined with his instincts, he has the talent of a future starting cornerback in the NFL.

The most obvious place to start with Johnson is his pure coverage ability. Whether or not he can run downfield with a receiver and competently challenge the catch process is the most important thing. Far too many cornerbacks, even at the NFL level, get too grabby and desperate in coverage, but not Johnson, as can be seen below.

Johnson does grab a little on the shoulder pad of Rashad Greene, but it is subtle enough to avoid a penalty. Most importantly, Johnson looks back for the ball at the goal line, which ensures that a flag doesn’t come. Establishing intent to play the ball is critical.

There are also some great indicators of how well Johnson will translate into the NFL early in the play. Off the line of scrimmage, we can see Johnson mirroring Greene perfectly. He doesn’t overcommit on Greene’s first step, which is important to protect against inside routes. Johnson stays balanced and bouncy, and he stays within a step of Greene throughout the route.

When asked to play off the ball and read plays, Johnson shined as an instinctive and confident player. Receivers have a major advantage when the cornerback is playing six or more yards off the ball, since inside routes and comebacks are easier to catch. Unless the cornerback reads the play perfectly, it is almost impossible to get to the ball before the receiver hauls it in.

Above is an example of what can be seen throughout Johnson’s 2013 and 2014 film. He doesn’t always win in these situations, but even the best in the NFL don’t win on every target or snap. Again, playing this far off the line is not an advantageous situation.

Still, we see the quick feet of Johnson and smooth trigger from backpedal to his explosive step downhill. His ability to sink his hips and get back to the ball in a hurry is critical. The physicality at the catch point then forces the incompletion.

Intelligence is another massively important trait. Baiting a quarterback into a throw that is more difficult or dangerous is a masterful play, and Johnson has again exhibited the ability to do just that. Look below for the evidence.

Starting off his man, Johnson reads quarterback Jameis Winston’s eyes and the routes of the slot and boundary receivers. He notices Winston going right to left with his eyes and the slot receiver going past him. With his man stopped underneath, he correctly deduces that the slot man will break behind him on a post-corner route.

If Johnson commits to the underneath route too soon, Winston has an easier throw to the slot receiver over the top—he wouldn’t need to fit the ball into such a tight spot using touch since there would be more room for error. Instead, Johnson waits back as if he’s going to drop with the slot receiver, and Winston tries to thread the perfect pass.

As mentioned before, Johnson played at a paltry 173 pounds during the season. There were times that this was obvious. He wasn’t very good at shedding blocks or overcoming big receivers who boxed him out.

But Johnson still had a physical mindset. He’s a tough-nosed player who needed to bulk up. He did so, and he still may have room for a little bit more weight. The most important part of his weight gain is that his athleticism at the combine was still very good overall after the added size.

Considering his movement skills and advanced instincts for the position, Kevin Johnson will prove to be a first-round value no matter his draft slot. Teams that need secondary help that overlook the former Demon Deacon will look foolish a year from now, as Johnson has all of the talent to become a solid starter in the NFL.

Ian Wharton is an NFL Draft Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report, contributor for Optimum Scouting and analyst for eDraft. 

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Defense should be the Wake Forest Demon Deacons' stronger side in 2014 with most of the secondary returning and a productive linebacker core emerging.  

First year head coach Dave Clawson and defensive coordinator Mike Elko bring a new system from Bowling Green with them, and the first task will be covering up an inexperienced front line with their 4-2-5 scheme.

Given the inexperience of the line coupled with the strength of the secondary, look for linebackers Brandon Chubb and Marguel Lee to play downhill in an effort to get pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Playing with only two true linebackers in this system means Chubb and Lee would normally roam free in both pocket pressure and coverage, but the dynamic cornerback tandem of Kevin Johnson and Merrill Noel will be relied on heavily in this transition year.

There's no shortage of confidence in that unit either.  "So I’m extremely confident in our defense. In the secondary, we’re trying to push to be the best we can possibly be," Johnson told ESPN's David M. Hale.

He'll get help in that quest from Ryan Janvion, a returning All-ACC Honorable Mention free safety.  With all of the experience in the back of the defense, Clawson's 4-2-5 could look more like a 6-5 system, especially at the start of the season as the defensive line gets in-game reps under its belt.

That line will have to replace Nikita Whitlock, who anchored the unit the last four seasons and had nine sacks in his senior campaign.  Josh Banks had one of the best springs on the team at defensive tackle.  

He should get a starting job and must make an immediate impact by containing the run game.

Next to Banks, sophomore Zachary Allen looks to be a perfect fit for the new scheme.  Clawson has favored speedy defensive ends in the past, so Allen and Lee should provide the explosive first step off the line to hurry the quarterback in passing situations.

On special teams, Wake Forest has been dead last in return yards in the ACC for six straight years. Clawson and new assistant Adam Scheier will work with running back and return man Orville Reynolds to change that shortcoming, and the past makes the outlook favorable.  

Bowling Green returned seven kickoffs for touchdowns in five seasons under that coaching pair.  

Clawson will likely give kicker Chad Hedlund more chances than the last staff from outside of 40 yards as well.  Hedlund was just 1-of-3 from such distance last year, but the Deacs will need to grab points each chance they get if the offense is going to keep the team in games.     

The defense in year one of the new era has a nucleus of talent and experience, and both it and the special teams will need to help out the Demon Deacons' offense for the team to win games.

With the transition comes opportunity, and playmakers will have to rise along the front line to help out a well-tooled secondary.

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A new season brings with it a new coach and system in Winston-Salem.  As the Demon Deacons adjust to life in the Clawson era, fans will also notice the stark contrast between the Jim Grobe option-oriented offense and Clawson's open attack.

Grobe preferred his quarterbacks to be at least efficiently mobile in order to run the option, but whoever is named the starter under Clawson will be asked to be both mobile in the pocket and create positive plays when a young offensive line breaks down.  Both returning backup Tyler Cameron and Kevin Sousa, who originally committed to Michigan as a quarterback before switching positions under Grobe, have the size and skill to shoulder that load.  Two freshmen, John Wolford and Travis Smith, will challenge for the job, but both are smaller than the returners and, while athletic, have the tendencies of more traditional pocket passers.

Given a confident signal-caller, Clawson's offensive model works.  Last year at Bowling Green, his offense ranked in the top 10 in the nation in offensive efficiency by utilizing short routes, run-pass options and an outside running game that attacks the edges of the defense.  The Deacons have the perfect man for that outside attack in speedy Orville Reynolds.

One of the first moves Clawson made during spring practice was moving Reynolds back from wideout to his natural position at running back.  The year at receiver should pay dividends, and the Clawson offense will call for him to both beat linebackers to the edge on the ground and find cushions in zone defenses for short yardage passes.  Look for Reynolds to be Clawson's do-everything man in a first-year offense that remains short on playmakers.

One similarity fans will see between last year and this coming fall will be the consistent and focused use of the slot receiver.  It will be impossible to replace Michael Campanaro, the Deacs' all-time leader in receptions (229), but Virginia graduate transfer E.J. Scott will have an immediate and significant impact.  

Scott caught 29 passes and three touchdowns in 2012 and will need to be a security blanket for whichever inexperienced quarterback needs to find him on short routes when things break down.  Also helping downfield will be big targets Jared Crump (6'3") and Jonathan Williams (6'4") who both showed they can high point and win balls in the air as redshirt freshmen last year.

One thing is for sure: Everything will look different this year on BB&T Field.  From the players to the coaches to the formations, Deacons fans will get to see something new.  After five straight losing seasons, the change should be welcome.  Progress will be slow, but Dave Clawson has shown his open attack can right the ship given time.

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Tyler Cameron had a difficult spring.  Presumed by many to step into the starting quarterback role following Tanner Price's departure last year, the redshirt sophomore went 9-of-26 for 83 yards with one touchdown and one interception in the Gold vs. Black spring game.  

Cameron's teammate, quarterback-turned-running-back-turned-quarterback Kevin Sousa, outperformed him on the stat sheet with 178 yards on 16-of-32 passing and 50 yards on the ground.  

Not to mention, head coach Dave Clawson remains set on giving two highly touted freshmen, Travis Smith and John Wolford, a shot at the job this fall.

"The quarterback position is fluid. We'll make a decision before fall camp or before the first game. We told the freshmen that we recruited that we would give them a chance to compete, and we're certainly going to give them that chance," Coach Clawson stated, according to Currie McFayden of WakeForestSports.com.

So things are looking pretty bleak for Cameron right?  In the words of Lee Corso, not so fast my friend!  

Cameron will develop into one of the conference's most efficient passers because every snap of fall practice will be pressure packed, the Deacs start off 2014 with arguably the easiest nonconference schedule in the ACC and Clawson is a mastermind at maximizing strengths and minimizing weaknesses for inexperienced quarterbacks.  

Stiff competition for the starting job may be the greatest benefit of all to Cameron.  He remains the "veteran" of the group due to his 24 pass attempts last season compared to Sousa, who played running back and receiver, and the two freshmen have yet to enroll.  If Cameron can capitalize on the competition and improve in the weeks leading up to the season, he'll enter the season confident having earned his spot as the team's offensive leader. 

Should that happen, the dual-threat quarterback will be in a perfect position to exceed expectations by playing to his own strengths in a relatively simple offensive scheme as he grows against weaker opposition leading up to the ACC opener at Louisville on Sept. 28.  

That in-game learning experience will begin on Aug. 28, though, against UL Monroe, a team that beat Wake, 21-19, at BB&T Field last season.  This time, the Warhawks will be without their leader and four-year starting quarterback, Kolton Browning.  

Like the Demon Deacons, ULM also lost its leading rusher and second leading receiver from last year's squad.  The first game of the season will go to the team that can shake the opening day nerves and minimize mistakes.   

WFU's Schedule
Aug. 28	@ULM	Oct. 18	Syracuse
Sept. 6	Gardner-Webb	Oct. 25	Boston College
Sept. 13	@Utah State	Nov. 6	Clemson
Sept. 20	Army	Nov. 15	@North Carolina
Sept. 27	@Louisville	Nov. 22	Virginia Tech
Oct. 4	@Florida State	Nov. 29	@Duke

The following week, the Deacs will take on FCS Gardner-Webb at home followed by dates with Utah State and an Army team that won only three games last year.  Though Utah State figures to be a contender in the Mountain West Conference, The Deacs could very well be favored in each of its first four bouts.  

That means Cameron will have ample time to adjust to a new coach and offense, as well as ample opportunity to flourish as an efficient passer instead of an inexperienced risk-taker.

Managing the growth and emergence of the starting quarterback will be one of Coach Clawson's top priorities this season—and maybe his most crucial in determining the success of his first year.  Good thing he had a similar situation and priority last year and led that Bowling Green team to a MAC title.  

The Falcons' first-year starter, Matt Johnson, threw for 3,467 yards and 25 touchdowns while leading the MAC with a 161.7 passer rating.  If Clawson can guide Cameron to a similar season, the Deacs will be just fine under center, not to mention competitive in every game this year.

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When toe meets leather for the Demon Deacons on Aug. 28 against UL-Monroe, everything will be different. A new season, new starters at quarterback, running back and receiver, and not to mention, a new head coach. In sum, the Deacs exemplify a program in flux following the departure of longtime head coach Jim Grobe.

Grobe left Wake Forest as the all-time leader in wins at the school, but five straight losses to close out the 2013 campaign and a lack of experienced talent will make treading in the ACC a strenuous task for new head coach Dave Clawson.

The former head coach of Bowling Green brings with him a reputation for building programs, though, and the Deacs' first hurdle will be buying into a new philosophy and system. The defense will switch from a 3-4 system to Clawson’s 4-2-5 zone-based scheme. While roving linebacker Marquel Lee will be a perfect fit, the Deacs lack an obvious answer for a second, equally versatile linebacker, and the transfer of James Looney leaves the line vulnerable at best.

Thus, the Deacs will rely on what should be the team’s greatest strength in 2014—the secondary. The cornerback tandem of Merrill Noel and Kevin Johnson will be second to none in the ACC. If an inexperienced offensive line can find a way to pressure opposing quarterbacks, the secondary should be able to lock down most of the passing attacks it faces. 

On offense, the Deacs may need to begin fall practices with name tags. Michael Briggs of RantSports.com sums up the obvious gaps with a positive spin:

“The Deacs will replace their leading passer, two leading receivers, top two rushers and two starting offensive lineman. The good news? Those players led the team to a 14th-place finish in the conference in total offense, 13th in scoring, 13th in rushing and 11th in passing.” 

Clearly, a breath of fresh talent may be just what Clawson needs to begin the rebuilding process. Last year’s backup quarterback Tyler Cameron was in prime position to become the starter, but an inconsistent spring has the Deacons searching for alternative solutions.

Two incoming 3-star recruits, Travis Smith and John Wolford, are poised to make immediate impacts should Cameron continue to struggle. Regardless of who lines up under center, Wake will need consistent play from the position if it hopes to flourish in year one of the Clawson era.

This first year could very well be one of progress that doesn’t translate to scoreboards on Saturdays, but as Clawson has shown in his previous stints at Fordham, Richmond and Bowling Green, building an eventual conference champion takes time.

The non-conference slate features an away date with a tough Utah State squad, but if the Deacs can take care of business against the likes of Gardner-Webb and Army at home and steal a couple conference wins, a 6-6 season would be monumental as the program looks to turn things around.

Follow @ColinSylvester

Recruiting rankings courtesy of 247Sports.com.

Bowling Green coach Dave Clawson has agreed to take over Wake Forest's football program, the team announced. 

The school continued with a statement from Wake Forest Director of Athletics Ron Wellman:

"We are very pleased to have Dave Clawson leading our football program," said Director of Athletics Ron Wellman. "Dave is a proven winner and leader and has had great success at every institution he has coached. Dave has rebuilt every program that he has coached and has led each institution to a conference championship. He has developed a national reputation as a builder of programs. Dave[apos]s expectations for our program and players are extremely high. We have much to look forward to with his leadership of our program."

Scott Swegan of BGSUFalcons.com confirmed Adam Scheier will take over as interim head coach for Bowling Green

Bowling Green State University Director of Athletics, D. Christopher Kingston, has announced the appointment of Adam Scheier as Interim Head Football Coach. The decision comes after Dave Clawson agreed to become the head football coach at Wake Forest University Tuesday. Scheier will lead the Falcons in the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl on Dec. 26.

Swegan continued with a statement from Scheier:

"I am honored to serve as Bowling Green's interim head coach," Scheier said. "The opportunity to lead this group of young men as we put the finishing touches on this special season is both humbling and exciting. This team and in particular, this group of seniors, has established a championship culture here at BG and I am confident that we will represent BGSU and the MAC well at the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl."

Sports Illustrated’s Pete Thamel was first to report the news on Monday, Dec. 9:

Former Wake Forest head coach Jim Grobe resigned after going 4-8 for his fifth straight losing season. Wake Forest athletic director Ron Wellman, a Bowling Green alum, is hoping Coach Clawson will be able to accomplish what he did at Fordham and Richmond and drag an academically focused school out of its losing ways.

Clawson is widely regarded as an excellent program builder and recruiter, and he’s found great success in his last three coaching stints. He inherited a Fordham program that had wallowed through 10 straight losing seasons and overhauled the recruiting process. He ended his tenure going 24-6 and won a Patriot League championship in 2002.

After coaching spells with Richmond and Tennessee (as the Vols' offensive coordinator), Clawson took over as the head coach of Bowling Green before the 2009 season.

The Falcons saw incremental improvement each season, ending with a dominant victory in the MAC title game last week to clinch the school’s first conference title since 1992.

Wellman was at that championship game and saw Coach Clawson’s team demolish the previously undefeated (and nationally ranked) Northern Illinois Huskies 47-27.

That performance clearly made an impression, as Clawson was named head coach just three days later.

The former Bowling Green coach beat out Ball State’s Pete Lembo for the job, and Clawson will bring his knack for player development and program expansion to Wake Forest in an effort to make the program a relevant name in ACC football.

With the 2013 college football season rapidly approaching, fans are craving any and every taste of what is to come in what should be an invigorating year.  As we inch closer to the action kicking off on August 29, I'll release schedule analysis for a new ACC school every other day.  For now, let's take a look at the Wake Forest Demon Deacons:

Outlook

Aug. 29—Presbyterian

Sept. 6—at Boston College

Sept. 14— Louisiana-Monroe

Sept. 21—at Army

Sept. 28—at Clemson

Oct. 5—NC State

Oct. 12—Open

Oct. 19—Maryland

Oct. 26—at Miami

Nov. 2—at Syracuse

Nov. 9—Florida State

Nov. 16—Open

Nov. 23—Duke

Nov. 30—at Vanderbilt

Schedule obtained from the official website of Wake Forest athletics

Only seven years separate Wake Forest from its last ACC Championship, but that 11-3 season has become a distant memory in Winston-Salem.  The last winning season for the Demon Deacons came in 2008, and while the real fury of the fanbase is directed toward the basketball program, people aren't exactly doing backflips over the state of the football program.

Believe it or not, Jim Grobe is actually the most tenured coach in the ACC other than Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer.  While he is in no real trouble of losing his job, Wake fans are tired of losing seasons and ready for another big year.

Wake Forest plays one of the more rigorous schedules of anyone in the Atlantic Division, which hurts when you consider that the Deacons aren't championship contenders in the first place.  But while there won't be any kind of magical run like in '06, don't bet against the Gold and Black to put together their best season in five years.

Best-Case Scenario

After fielding dreadful scoring offenses for the better part of the last decade, Grobe reverts back to the run game that yielded him success in his early years at Wake.  Although running back Josh Harris was recently ruled ineligible for his senior season, the newly added schemes catch the opposition off guard and lead to some early wins for Grobe's team.

Tanner Price enters his fourth season as the starting quarterback, and Michael Campanaro is one of the best pass-catchers in the conference.  That duo, combined with the rushing attack and a defense that returns eight starters, drives the team to a 4-0 record to start off 2013.

Heading into the year with a whopping 31-10 record against in-state opponents, the Deacs continue that trend with wins over NC State and Duke.  As the experience on defense pushes Wake Forest to the right side of the turnover ratio, Grobe's squad accumulates eight wins and finds itself finishing in the top half of the division.

Worst-Case Scenario

Unable to get a head start against mediocre competition early on, the Demon Deacons face an ugly season from beginning to end.  Without Harris in the backfield, the offense is unable to get anything done on the ground.

With no running backs to open up the passing game, Price's stats continue to drop from the level they were at during his impressive sophomore year.

The good news going into the season was that the defense returned a lot of contributors.  The bad news during the year is that those players weren't all that great before, and they show little improvement over the course of 12 games.

Spring injuries linger into the fall.  Clemson, Miami, Florida State and Vanderbilt abuse Wake, while more evenly matched teams also have their way with the Deacs.

The animosity toward the basketball team spills over to the gridiron after a 3-9 season in 2013.

Bottom Line

This is a tough schedule.  It's hard to imagine the Deacons stealing even one game between Clemson, Florida State, Miami and Vanderbilt—and a road trip to Boston College will by no means be a given.

On the positive end, Wake Forest hosts matchups against NC State, Duke and Maryland, and it's not at all a stretch to believe that all three of those could be wins.  Presbyterian is the cupcake, and Army and Syracuse simply don't have a lot of talent.

If Grobe's team wins the games it should win, then look for Wake to surpass the .500 mark.

Also check out:

Schedule analysis for NC State

Schedule analysis for Maryland

Schedule analysis for Syracuse

Follow me on Twitter at @MarkCCarroll