ACC Football: 5 storylines to follow during Week 4 action

5. Is Wake Forest Legit?

The Demon Deacons are 3-0 and have climbed the S&P+ rankings to No. 36 in the country. While the offense is only 77th, the defense is up to 17th overall. It’s surprising because it’s Wake, but it’s even more surprising because it started the year at 64th in the nation. Wake has climbed 30 points in a few short weeks with wins against FCS Presbyterian 51-7, Boston College 34-10 and Utah State 46-10.

But now the Demon Deacons are walking into a buzz-saw with games at Appalachian State, against Florida State and at Clemson before a bye week. That’s the S&P+’s No. 51, No. 2 and No. 6 teams,  respectively.

Wake has been driven by its defense as usual but senior quarterback John Wolford has thrown six touchdowns and no interceptions so far in 2017. The senior passer from Jacksonville, Fla., is a four-year starter with 6,100 passing yards on his career and 36 touchdowns, but has had 35 interceptions which have plagued the Demon Deacons for years.

So, is Wake Forest for real? This matchup with Appalachian State will be the true test as the Mountaineers do a lot on offense that can challenge a defense with their multiple personnel groupings, motions, shifts and triple options plays as well as run pass options.

If Wake can flash the speed to keep up with Appalachian State’s jet-sweep game and the discipline to match its option, it will be a great football game. On offense, Wake has to prove it can keep scoring against the 40th-ranked defense per the S&P+.