ACC Football Power Rankings, Week 5: There’s a Hurricane brewing

13. Wake Forest Demon Deacons (0-2, 0-2)

Wake Forest’s game against Notre Dame was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns. The game might not have gone well for the winless Demon Deacons. Their loss against Clemson was expected; the Tigers are arguably the best team in college football. North Carolina State was a bit more of a head-scratcher.

The Deacons gave up 45 points to a Wolfpack squad who had uncertainty at quarterback and questions along their offensive line. However, Wake’s defense has never had a reputation of being world-beaters. Sam Hartman has been okay at quarterback replacing Jamie Newman, but the loss of Sage Surratt is glaring.

If Wake Forest has any chance of winning games this season, the Deacons must outscore people. The Demon Deacons get Campbell on Oct. 2 before they have both Virginia and Virginia Tech in consecutive weeks.

Wake Forest is going to find it challenging to win against teams who are more physical and can keep the pressure on Sam Hartman. Neither Clemson nor North Carolina State found any problems moving the ball against Dave Clawson’s defense. In a season with a conference, plus one schedule, someone has to take the losses. It might be Wake Forest.