Wake Forest Football: 3 Post-game hot takes after victory

2. Wake Forest football is playing as well defensively as any team in the ACC

On Friday, the Demon Deacons gave up 407 passing yards to Brennan Armstrong and the Cavaliers; talking up Wake’s defense might seem contradictory. However, peek inside the numbers of the game.

First, Virginia could not run the football against Wake Forest’s defense. The Cavaliers totaled just 99 yards on 27 carries. Brennan Armstrong had 33 of those yards on one carry. Also, Virginia never led in this game and was down 20-3 at the half, so Armstrong had to throw to catch up.

The Demon Deacons sacked Armstrong six times and forced three turnovers. As explosive as the Cavaliers offense had been the past two weeks, Wake Forest football did not let Virginia get out of the gates, forcing Armstrong and the passing game to take many underneath passes.

The only other defense that is playing better than Wake Forest right now is Clemson. Despite their loss to North Carolina State, the Tigers have been solid defensively. It is Clemson’s offense that is the reason they are 2-2.

Clemson’s defense is surrendering under 300 yards and 12 points per game. The difference is the Wake Forest defense has played this entire season with a lead, and Clemson’s defense has had to play well to give the Tigers a chance to win.