Syracuse vs Wake Forest Preview

The Orange and Demon Deacons square off in the regular season finale.

In what could be the conclusion of the 2023 football season, Syracuse takes on a similarly slumping ACC squad in Wake Forest. With this game coming less than a week after the firing of Dino Babers, you have to wonder what headspace this team will be. Game plan install and managing emotions will be just two of the many things interim coach Nunzio Campanile will have to learn on the fly if he wants to extend this season into December for SU. Fortunately for the Orange, not only does Wake share the bottom on the ACC cellar having only one conference win, but they’ve struggled through their own QB uncertainty. 

Both incumbent starter Mitch Griffis and current starter Michael Kern have dealt with injuries, leading to 3rd stringer Santino Marucci leading the Demon Deacons to their lone ACC win over Pittsburgh. Griffis, with under a 60% completion percentage and a pedestrian 9/8 touchdown-to-interception ratio, was pulled by Coach Dave Clauson at the end of the first half in their matchup vs. NC State for Kern. 

Wake Forest has crashed to earth this season with Sam Hartman now being in South Bend after making straight seven straight bowl games under Clawson, and it’ll be interesting to see the level of intensity and focus they’ll come out with them essentially playing for pride. In the NC State post-game presser, Clawson fought back tears in describing the brokenness and lack of discipline his team displayed, as well as putting the blame squarely on his shoulders for how this season has turned out.

Despite the struggles for this Demon Deacon team, they are not completely devoid of talent and Syracuse will not have any time to feel sorry for themselves to get a final win in the Dome for this senior-laden team. Jamal Banks, a preseason first-team All-ACC selection, has been the bright spot for an otherwise dim passing game, having 52 catches for 563 yards and 3 TDs. He has proven more than capable of being a true number one despite inconsistent QB play and the departure of A.T Perry. His body control and large frame make him one of the better jump ball threats in college football. 

Much like Syracuse, the few times this offense has found success this season has come via the run game. In their lone Power 5 non-conference in Week 2 vs. Vanderbilt, Wake totaled 288 rushing yards, with sophomore lead back Desmond Claiborne accounting for 167. The Deacs have two backs over 500 yards this season with an even carry split; Claiborne comes in with 137 carries for 586 yards, and last year’s top rusher Justice Ellison at 109 carries for 510 yards. 

Flipping to the defensive side, Jasheen Davis has been a game-wrecker en route to becoming a ACC Defensive Player of the Year candidate, leading the conference in TFLs with 16 and fifth in sacks with 7.5. DT Kevin Pointer and LB Jacob Roberts round out a very talented front seven unit for the Deacs, and SU will have to continue to find creative ways to spread out and confuse this defense if they want to replicate the success the wildcat offense had vs. Pittsburgh and in the second half vs. Georgia Tech. 

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