Florida State Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2017

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons turned a corner in 2016. They went 6-6 in the regular season, qualifying for their first bowl game since 2011. Head coach Dave Clawson managed to win game number seven in the Military Bowl over the Temple Owls, but 2017 will have its challenges.

This season’s schedule is a lot more difficult and the outcome could be totally different from last season. The Demon Deacons return eight starters from their offense which ranked 118th in the FBS in scoring (20.4 points per game) in 2016. Quarterback Kendall Hinton is back from injury but he could split time with senior John Wolford.

Wolford threw for 1,774 passing yards, nine passing touchdowns but he also threw 10 interceptions. He threw two against the Seminoles last year in their 17-6 defeat. Wolford also ran for 521 rushing yards and six touchdowns a season ago.

Wake Forest returns just five starters on defense from 2016. They will be without four of last year’s six top tacklers this season but luckily one of those returners is defensive end Duke Ejiofor.

Ejiofor was fourth in the ACC in sacks last season (10.5) and represents the Demon Deacons biggest strength. The rush defense could give the Seminoles some issues, but they may be overmatched in this one.

The Demon Deacons have a lot of question marks on defense this season. The defensive line will excel but only for so long, especially against a team like the Florida State Seminoles.

Final: Wake Forest 13, Florida State 31 (4-1, 3-0 ACC)