Injury Updates: Week 10

QB Riley Skinner, Wake Forest – The Demon Deacons signal caller was knocked out of Wake Forest’s last game against the Miami Hurricanes and was not able to return. It is unclear if he will be able to play this week against Georgia Tech and is currently considered questionable.

“He seems fine. We didn't practice with him last night. I don't know how much they'll let him do today. He seems to be clear-headed, he doesn't have headaches or dizziness, so hopefully we'll have him by Saturday. I'm hopeful it's more than 50-50 whether he'll play. We've listed him as questionable, with head injuries it really is a day-to-day process. My hope is that he'll play, but certainly his health and well-being are more important than playing Saturday.” – Wake Forest Head Coach Jim Grobe

QB Blaine Gabbert, Missouri – The Tigers’ starting quarterback has been playing through an ankle injury that has been limiting his effectiveness. It does appear he is getting closer to being 100 percent.

“There are a lot of quarterbacks who I think are pretty good players who would just say 'I have limitations moving so I'd rather not play.' They want to get 100% healthy and they might not be healthy for three weeks. But comfort zone they're more worried about making mistakes out there and maybe not looking good because they can't throw as well. But he is just the complete opposite. His attitude is 'Don't even think I'm not going to play, coach.' If you want to be a great quarterback, you have to be a tenacious competitor, and you have to mentally and physically tough as nails. If you lack in any of those areas, you're not going to be a great quarterback. What he is showing me is his toughness. Any great one, that's what they do.” – Missouri Head Coach Gary Pinkel

WR A.J. Green, Georgia – The Bulldogs’ star wide out suffered a “pulmonary contusion” against the Florida Gators on Saturday, which knocked him out of the game. Green is out for this week, although coach Mark Richt has stated he expects his sophomore wide receiver to return on November 14 against the Auburn Tigers:

“We do. We're not 100-percent certain but the history of this type of an injury by the second week everybody has played to this point, so we don't have any reason to think that he won't.” – Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt

TE Michael Palmer, Clemson – The pass catching weapon missed the Tigers’ last game against Coastal Carolina due to a concussion. He is considered questionable for this week’s game against Florida State.

“He will get some [contact] today. We were just in vests last night and today he will do some pad work. He will practice today. He has been cleared. You never know until you see how he responds. Scotty Cooper was cleared and he didn't respond well so you never know. Terrence Ashe will be back. Kantrell Brown (questionable/concussion) is doing much better. They are clearing him to practice this week. They will hold him another ball game because they want to evaluate him after a week of contact.” – Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney

DE Da’Quan Bowers, Clemson – The Tigers’ top pass rusher injured his knee against Coastal Carolina and will likely miss this week’s Atlantic Division clash against the Seminoles.

“He looked pretty good yesterday. He seems to be responding well and in great spirits. He wants to play, but I don't see him playing this week. Beyond that I don't know, if he keeps improving like he has then I think we will get him back quicker than later. Yesterday was a good day for him.” – Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney

MLB Savion Frazier, Tennessee – Tennessee lost their second starting middle linebacker for the season (Nick Reveiz was injured earlier in the season), when Frazier tore his ACL on Saturday in Knoxville against the South Carolina Gamecocks on a collision near the sideline.

“Losing Savion Frazier, we have now lost our second starting linebacker for the season at a position that was already not very deep. Our guys are going to have to do a great job. Our staff is working on different options. We are going to open it up and Herman Lathers and Nigel Mitchell-Thornton will be in there and play a bunch this week at practice to figure out who is the best player. Maybe both of them will end up playing. They are going to have to step up because this is such a valuable position. We saw what happened when Nick Reviez went out. In the transition to Savion Frazier, we played about six quarters of our worst defense. We are going to need guys to step up around them and play better too if we are going to keep up this great defensive run we have been playing lately.” – Tennessee Head Coach Lane Kiffin

CB Trevard Lindley, Kentucky – The senior cornerback injured his ankle against the Alabama Crimson Tide earlier on the season and has not returned to the field, a span of four games. It appears he is close to returning, but could miss at least one more contest:

“He worked out yesterday. He'll try to work out tomorrow and we'll just have to see whether he's ready to play this week or not. I'd say he's questionable to doubtful this week. But there is no swelling in it after running on it yesterday. He went through the pre-game warm-up last Saturday night so he's getting really close, I think, to having a chance to get back out on the field.” – Kentucky Head Coach Rich Brooks

S Zac Etheridge, Auburn – Etheridge injured his neck while making a tackle on Saturday against Ole Miss. According to reports he lost consciousness momentarily in a scary moment. He is up and about, moving his extremities and according to headman Gene Chizik he is expected have full recovery. It is a season ending injury, which could put his career in jeopardy as well:

“We can't really go in that direction because we don't know one way or another. It would be hard for me to say, and we're just going to take everything day by day. It will all work out the way it's supposed to be, but just looking that far down the road right now, medically I just can't answer that” – Auburn Head Coach Gene Chizik

Photos Courtesy of SEC Sports Media

CFI Countdown: #11 California Golden Bears

2008 Record: 9-4 (Pac-10 6-3)
Bowl Game: Won Champs Sports Bowl vs. Miami, 24-17
Location: Berkley, California
Stadium: California Memorial Stadium (72,516)
Head Coach: Jeff Tedford
Overall: 59-30 (8th season)
@ California 59-30 (8th season)
Link to Cal Football Page

Outside of USC—first in scoring defense, second in scoring offense—the 2008 Cal Golden Bears were the most balanced club in the Pac-10 with the second-ranked scoring defense and fourth-ranked scoring offense. Obviously that wasn’t the case when they gave up 42 in the Arizona desert to the Wildcats and were held to three points in Sunny Southern California by the Men of Troy. If they can avoid those mishaps, the third ten-win season and maybe even the first Pac-10 title of the Jeff Tedford era could be in the offing.

When the Bears Have the Ball

Offensive Coordinator: Andy Ludwig (1st season)
Scheme: West Coast Offense
Starters Returning: Seven
Key Losses: C Alex Mack, TE Cameron Morrah, FB Will Ta’uf’ou, OG Norris Malele, QB Nate Longshore

Before we get to all-everything junior tailback Jahvid Best, let’s discuss the quarterback situation. After working wonders with gunslingers (and future first round picks) Kyle Boller and Aaron Rodgers, quarterback guru Tedford has seen ups and downs at the critical position. Junior Riley Skinner won a three-way battle for the starting nod and the best thing that could happen to the Golden Bears is he stays there all season long. Skinner doesn’t lack talent, but has yet to put it together on a consistent basis. Of course, the best pass he may make this season is the shortest one—a hand-off to the explosive Best. The diminutive back needs only a sliver of space to take one to the house as his great moves in the open field and breakaway speed strike fear in opponents. Sophomore Shane Vereen is a very solid backup and should be able to give Best a breather when needed. Their backs can’t be the only playmakers which means they need someone at receiver to step up—whether it is returning starter Verran Tucker, leading returning receiver Nyan Boateng, or talented sophomore Marvin Jones. The line loses center Alex Mack but could be better as a unit in 2009.

Top Pro Prospects: 1) RB Jahvid Best (JR), 2) WR Nyan Boateng (SR), 3) OT Mike Tepper (SR)

When the Other Team Has the Ball

Defensive Coordinator: Bob Gregory (8th season)
Scheme: 3-4
Starters Returning: Eight
Key Losses: LB Zack Follett, LB Anthony Felder, LB Worrell Williams, DE Rulon Davis

Even though they lost three of their four starting linebackers, junior Mike Mohamed—who can play inside or out—may have been the best “sub” in the country. Off the bench as a sophomore, he delivered enough tackles to finish second on the team in that department. His speed and athleticism should make him the top playmaker on the Golden Bears defense. If Mohamed doesn’t emerge as the number one weapon, don’t be surprised if it is super sophomore Mychal Kendricks, another speedy playmaker primed to bust loose. At 300 pounds Derrick Hill anchors the line from the nose position, flanked by big and powerful ends Tyson Alualu and Cameron Jordan. Both bring the size necessary for this scheme, as well the ability to get into the backfield. Saving the best for last, Cal’s secondary will rival any in the Pac-10. Senior corner Syd’Quan Thompson has gotten better each season since his rough freshman campaign, while junior Darian Hagan could be just as good.

Top Pro Prospects: 1) CB Syd’Quan Thompson (SR), 2) LB Mike Mohamed (JR), 3) DL Tyson Alualu (SR)

The Schedule

The Golden Bears have a pair of interesting out of conference games. At home, they’ll try to avenge last season’s eight-point loss to Maryland, while on the road the Bears will venture into Big Ten country to take on the Minnesota Golden Gophers in their new stadium. If Cal is going to be a challenger to USC, these are games that shouldn’t give them too much trouble. They follow up their Minneapolis road trip with a one to the great northwest to take on the Oregon Ducks, with USC at home the week after that. Can they avoid looking past Minnesota to Oregon and looking past Oregon to USC? If they can split the two Pac-10 games, the Bears will have done well. Other games of interest include home contests against Oregon St. and Arizona, as well road games at UCLA, Arizona St., and Stanford. Other than the Evergreen state (Washington, Washington St. & Eastern Washington), the schedule is challenging.

Pivotal Point

If the Golden Bears are to improve on their nine wins from a year ago they must become road warriors, or at least stop being road pushovers. Cal was a perfect 7-0 at home in 2008, but an abysmal 1-4 on the road, dropping games at USC, Arizona, Oregon St., and Maryland. Their lone win away from home was against a 1-11 Washington St. squad. This year they face six road tests, playing more than half of their conference games away from home. In 2006 they lost at Washington, Stanford, UCLA, and Arizona—four of the sites for this year’s trips. The last time they won more than half their road games came in 2005, when they went 3-2.

CFI Final Analysis

Headman Jeff Tedford built his reputation as a quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator, both at Fresno St. and Oregon where he tutored several quarterbacks to the pro ranks before taking over as the head coach for the Golden Bears. He basically picked up where he left off, building a strong offense in Berkeley. This year it is the defense that is the sure thing, as Cal should be strong against both the run and the pass with playmakers at every level. But will they get enough offense? Is Riley the answer at quarterback? Will a number one wide receiver emerge? Is the O-Line going to step up? The 2009 Golden Bears will get enough affirmative answers to give USC a run for their money.


College Football Insiders Top 25 Countdown:
The Next 25 (26-50) Plus 18 Bowl Teams
#25 West Virginia Mounainteers
#24 Tennessee Volunteers
#23 Clemson Tigers
#22 Pittsburgh Panthers
#21 Michigan St. Spartans
#20 Utah Utes
#19 Oregon Ducks
#18 Florida St. Seminoles
#17 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
#16 Boise St. Broncos
#15 North Carolina Tar Heels
#14 Penn St. Nittany Lions
#13 Mississippi Rebels
#12 Oklahoma St. Cowboys

Photos Courtesy of GoldenSports.com

Eagle Bank Bowl Notes: Wake Forest 29, Navy 19

Redemption City:

The first time these teams met Riley Skinner threw four interceptions in a Wake Forest loss – arguably the worst performance of his career considering the junior signal caller had just seven interceptions total on the season. On Saturday he completed all 11 of his pass attempts for 166 yards (15.1 yards per pass attempt) and the game-winning touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

Skinner played a smart conservative game. Several times with his receivers covered down field, Skinner tucked the ball and ran rather than forcing a pass into coverage. Punting isn’t always the worst thing.

Down 13-0 late in the second quarter, Skinner opened it up completing passes of 21 and 30 yards to senior wide out D.J. Boldin (four receptions, 66 yards) while leading the Deacs on a 98-yard drive to close out the half. With the score 13-7 early in the third quarter, Skinner connected on a 32-yard pass to tailback Kevin Harris coming out of the backfield after faking a hand-off to Alphonso Smith. This set up a Josh Adams touchdown and gave Wake its first lead of the day. Trailing again in the fourth quarter, the junior quarterback spotted a wide open Chip Brinkman 44 yards down the field to position the North Carolina school for the game-winning score. Three plays later Skinner found tight end Ben Wooster in the back of the end zone. Throughout the game, Skinner did an excellent job of moving his feet in the pocket and buying more time for his receivers to get down the field.

The Demon Deacons improved to 19-3 when Skinner does not throw an interception. They are just 7-8 when he throws an interception.

Aaron Curry Is A Beast:

Going up against the triple-option offense of Navy was not the ideal setting to scout Aaron Curry’s vast array of skills. Nevertheless, the senior stood out as the best football player on either squad. The Butkus Award winner did a great job of being disciplined and taking care of his responsibilities – if his duty was to take the pitchman, he took the pitchman, and if he was assigned the quarterback, he hit the quarterback.

Curry was unstoppable as a pass-rusher. Even though he didn’t record a sack, whenever the Midshipmen dropped back to pass (which wasn’t often), Curry was able to pressure the quarterback, often laying a lick. The strongside backer used his strength, speed and spin moves to overwhelm would-be blockers. Whenever a back was asked to block Curry, who was explosive running down ball carriers, it was game over. He even looked good when he put his hand down on the ground.

The future first round pick may have made just four tackles (one TFL), but no one had a bigger impact on the game.

Mismatch:

You don’t think football is a game of match-ups? The Demon Deacons went with a surprise starter at tailback in junior Harris. Harris entered the game with 40 yards on nine carries on the season and had accumulated just 100 yards over the last two seasons following his 393 yards as a freshman in 2006. The 230-pound back outweighed eight of Navy’s starting defenders, with only the three down linemen tipping the scales more than the Wake tailback. In fact, nose guard Nate Frazier is the only Navy starter that checks in at over 250 pounds.

Harris rumbled for 136 yards on 24 carries in all, although he was stuffed twice on third-and-one in the contest. Even against the undersized Navy line, the Wake Forest offensive line struggled in short yardage situations just as it had all season. Backup Adams did his best work in the red zone, twice crossing the goal line. The 2007 ACC Freshman of the Year suffered through an injury plagued sophomore campaign.

Alphonso Smith Sets Record:

When an errant Kaipo-Nao Keheaku-Enhada pass fell into the waiting arms of Alphonso Smith, the Bronko Nagurski finalist became the Atlantic Coast Conference’s all-time leading interceptor with his 21st career theft. Smith’s accomplishment on defense made up for his fumble on offense. Taking a reverse, the senior cornerback displayed his deft running skills, but did not protect the ball fumbling the pigskin into the hands of Navy defensive back Rashawn King, who scooped it up and strolled in from 50 yards out to give the Midshipmen a 10-0 first quarter lead. Smith (one tackle) had some trouble shedding blocks and one could imagine going up against a triple-option offense is not something the lockdown cover corner was looking forward to.

More Defensive Notes:

* Senior free safety Chip Vaughn (team-high eight tackles) made several plays particularly when he was allowed to roam free. He is a very good open field tackler, capable of delivering a solid blow with his 215-pound frame. However, whenever a blocker got his hands on Vaughn, the senior had major problems getting disengaged.

* The same could be said for senior middle linebacker Stanley Arnoux (seven tackles). He made some plays when the offensive line kept him untouched, but he can be blocked.

* One defender who seemed to flourish playing the triple-option was junior cornerback Brandon Ghee (six tackles, 1.5 TFLs) – he was beating blocks, getting penetration and making plays in the backfield.

Navy Notes:

* Fullback Eric Kettani, who didn’t have a big day as a runner, had trouble the couple of times he was asked to block Mr. Curry. Kettani ran for 50 yards on 14 carries (3.6 yards per carry) after busting loose for 175 yards versus the Demon Deacons in the regular season. He fell 18 yards short of 1,000-yard season. Shun White broke off a 39-yard run on Navy’s first offensive play, but was quiet after that (14 carries, 71 yards). Their most effective runner was Kaheaku-Enhada who ran for a season-high 83 yards on 15 carries (5.5 yards per carry) and had their lone offensive touchdown.

* Frazier was Navy’s best defender, displaying excellent quickness for a man of his size. The junior doesn’t have much closing speed if the play goes outside the tackles, but has the ability to disrupt a play from the interior. Also keep an eye on freshman Jabaree Tuani, an undersized but quick defensive end. He is likely better suited to play in a 4-3 defense rather than the 3-4 scheme the Midshipmen employed this season.

* Notable Service Assignments: Kaipo-Nao Keheaku-Enhada and Rashawn King will serve in the Marine Corps (Ground). Eric Kettani, Shun White and wide receiver Tyree Barnes will serve on Surface Warfare units.

Photo Credit: College Press Box, Brian Westerholt of Sports on Film

O'Brien Quarterback Award Marquee Match-up for Week Seven

FORT WORTH, Texas (October 8, 2008) - The 2008 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award® (The O'Brien) Match-ups for week seven feature six O'Brien Watch List candidates. The O'Brien continues to highlight weekly match-ups featuring O'Brien candidates as they compete for the prestigious award honoring the nation's best quarterback in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). Fans can show their support by visiting www.VoteOBrien.org and casting their vote. The top three candidates in the Fan Vote will automatically be added to the Semifinalist List announced October 27.

Marquee Match-up: Texas vs. Oklahoma
Saturday, October 11 at 11 a.m. (CST) on ABC
Saturday more than 90,000 fans plus ESPN's College GameDay will fill the Cotton Bowl Stadium to watch Colt McCoy and the Texas Longhorns take on Sam Bradford and the Oklahoma Sooners. Both quarterbacks will put their undefeated records (5-0) on the line as they enter the 2008 Red River Rivalry. McCoy, a junior, has accounted for 20 touchdowns this season. In addition to completing more than 79 percent of his passes, McCoy leads the Longhorns in rushing yards with 317. The 5th ranked Longhorns enter this game after defeating the Colorado Buffaloes on the road last week.

"We'll have everybody in America talking about the game next week, and that's what we all want," said Texas Head Coach Mack Brown after last Saturday's game. "It's fun. It's what Texas and OU have wanted forever, and we have got it back."

Bradford, a sophomore, has also accounted for 20 touchdowns this season. With 1,665 passing yards, his quarterback rating of 204.97 ranks second in the nation. The No. 1 Sooners will fight to keep their top ranking in this much-anticipated game.

"It's the same with a lot of the big rivalries; it's the tradition and the history," said Oklahoma Head Coach Bob Stoops during his weekly press conference. "It's more than just bragging rights now. It's an inside track, or one up on the other guy, on your way to a championship, hopefully."

These two quarterbacks have both been highlighted previously as O'Brien Quarterbacks of the Week due to their high level of performance. Both lead powerful offensive units with hopes of a Big 12 Title and will duel for conference supremacy Saturday in Dallas, Texas.

Head-to-Head O'Brien Match-ups (based on start times)
These O'Brien Watch List quarterbacks will clash in this week's games.

* Clemson (Cullen Harper) at Wake Forest (Riley Skinner)
Thursday, October 9 at 6:30 p.m. (CST) on ESPN

* Arizona State (Rudy Carpenter*) at USC (Mark Sanchez*)
Saturday, October 11 at 2:30 p.m. (CST) on ABC

* Pending Injury

About The O'Brien Fan Vote
Fans can now register and vote for The O'Brien Fan Vote online at www.VoteOBrien.org to show their support for their favorite college quarterback. Fans will be able to choose from any of the 119 FBS quarterbacks beginning on Tuesday, September 2, leaving room for the possibility of a quarterback who is not on the Watch List to win the award. The top three quarterbacks who garner the most votes will be added to The O'Brien Semifinalist List, and the Fan Vote will then count as 5% in determining the Finalists and Winner. The 2008 Winner will be announced during The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show airing December 11 on ESPN. The recipient will be honored February 16, 2009, at the 32nd Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

O'Brien Quarterback Award Marquee Match-up for Week Five

FORT WORTH, Texas (September 24, 2008) - The 2008 Davey O'Brien National Quarterback Award® (The O'Brien) Match-ups for week five feature six O'Brien Watch List candidates. The O'Brien continues to highlight weekly match-ups featuring O'Brien candidates as they compete for the prestigious award honoring the nation's best quarterback in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS).

Marquee Match-up: Alabama at Georgia
Saturday, September 27 at 6:45 p.m. (CST) on ESPN
John Parker Wilson and the Alabama Crimson Tide will square off with Matthew Stafford and the Georgia Bulldogs in this SEC battle between the hedges. Both quarterbacks direct powerful offensive units and have an undefeated 4-0 record on the line. Wilson takes the Crimson Tide to Athens with the momentum after a 49-14 win over Arkansas last week. This six-foot-two senior from Hoover, Ala., has thrown for 542 yards and five touchdowns this season in addition to one rushing touchdown. Stafford and the Bulldogs return home after a 27-10 victory over Arizona State. Stafford completed 16 of 28 passes for 285 yards and one touchdown in last Saturday's match-up and hopes to capitalize on the chemistry with running back Knowshon Moreno this week. This will be the first time the two have gone head-to-head while both were undefeated with a top 10 ranking since 1942.

Head-to-Head O'Brien Match-ups (based on start times)
These O'Brien Watch List quarterbacks will clash in this week's games.

* Purdue (Curtis Painter) at Notre Dame (Jimmy Clausen)
Saturday, September 27 at 2:30 p.m. (CST) on NBC

* Navy (Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada) at Wake Forest (Riley Skinner)
Saturday, September 27 at 2:45 p.m. (CST) on ESPNU

About The O'Brien Fan Vote
Fans can now register and vote for The O'Brien Fan Vote online at www.VoteOBrien.org to show their support for their favorite college quarterback. Fans will be able to choose from any of the 119 FBS quarterbacks beginning on Tuesday, September 2, leaving room for the possibility of a quarterback who is not on the Watch List to win the award. The top three quarterbacks who garner the most votes will be added to The O'Brien Semifinalist List, and the Fan Vote will then count as 5% in determining the Finalists and Winner. The 2008 Winner will be announced during The Home Depot ESPNU College Football Awards Show airing December 11 on ESPN. The recipient will be honored February 16, 2009, at the 32nd Annual Davey O'Brien Awards Dinner at The Fort Worth Club in Fort Worth, Texas.

CFI RANKINGS: #21 WAKE FOREST DEMON DEACONS

2007 RECORD: 9-4; ACC: 5-3
Won Meineke Car Care Bowl vs. Connecticut 24-10
LOCATION: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
STADIUM: BB & T Field (31,500)
HEAD COACH: Jim Grobe
OVERALL: 46-39 (7 seasons)
AT WAKE FOREST: 79-72-1 (13 seasons)

The Demon Deacons won nine games (including their bowl) last season, which was actually a step back for the ACC school—now that’s progress. They won 11 games in 2006 on their way to an ACC title and their 20 wins over the past two seasons are six more than their previous two-year best. If QB Riley Skinner can stay healthy, they could reach double digits in wins and challenge for the ACC Title.

WHEN THE DEACS HAVE THE BALL

OFFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Steed Lobotzke (6th Season/8th at Wake Forest)
OFFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 6
KEY LOSSES: Kenny Moore, Steve Justice, Micah Andrews, John Tereshinski, Luis Frazier, Chris DeGeare (INELIGIBLE)

The two-year run the Deacons are on has come with Skinner under center. He stepped in seamlessly for the injured Ben Mauk in ’06 and when Skinner was out of the lineup in the early part of last season, it showed. While he is not overly impressive in terms of his measurables, Skinner gets the job done. While he will miss his favorite target (Kenny Moore), there are high hopes for the receiving corps. The passing attack would benefit from spreading the football around a little more. The running game is solidified with sophomore RB Josh Adams as the primary ball carrier and red-shirt freshman Brandon Pendergrass expected to push for playing time. The offensive line should be fine with three players returning with starting experience.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) RB Josh Adams (SO), 2) OT Joe Birdsong (JR)

WHEN THE OTHER TEAM HAS THE BALL

DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR: Brad Lambert (1st Season/8th at Wake Forest)
DEFENSIVE STARTERS RETURNING: 9
KEY LOSSES: Jeremy Thompson

When most people think of Wake Forest, a speedy playmaking defense doesn’t necessarily come to mind…but that is exactly what they had in 2007, and the Deacs return nine starters in 2008. Linebacker Aaron Curry led the team in tackles for a loss using his speed to knife into the offensive backfield. He also had four interceptions—returning three for scores--proving he is indeed a three-down linebacker. Not to be outdone, All-ACC corner Alphonso Smith returned three of his record-setting eight interceptions to paydirt as well. How many teams can say they had a pair of defenders do that? Smith is a lockdown coverman, but opposing teams don’t have the luxury of picking on the other guy—junior CB Brandon Ghee is a solid coverman in his own right. The only missing piece going into the season is a premier pass rusher.

TOP PROSPECTS: 1) LB Aaron Curry (SR), 2) CB Alphonso Smith (SR)

THE SCHEDULE

Wake Forest’s out of conference games should not pose a great threat—after opening up at Baylor, they play host to Ole Miss, Navy and Vanderbilt (regular season finale). In conference play, they take on Atlantic Division foe FSU before the ‘Noles are back to 100 percent (suspensions), while division favorite Clemson comes to Winston-Salem. They also play Virginia and Boston College at home, where the Deacs will have a chance to avenge two of their four defeats from ’07. They do play Maryland and Miami on the road following their contest against Clemson—easily their toughest three-game stretch of the season.

PIVOTAL POINT

The Offensive Line: Wake returns three players with starting experience—LT Joe Birdsong, RT Jeff Griffin and RG Barrett McMillin. The trio combined to make 20 starts last season. There are high hopes for junior C Trey Bailey, but he is replacing an All-American in Steve Justice. How this group performs will dictate how explosive the rushing attack of Adams/Pendergrass will be. More importantly, they are charged with protecting Skinner. The signal caller was injured in the ’07 opener versus BC and missed the following games against Nebraska, both losses.

CFI FINAL ANALYSIS

For those of you that simply refuse to believe the Clemson Tigers will finally win an ACC title, the Demon Deacons give you a team to hang your hat on. The pieces are in place for Wake to make a run at a second conference championship in three seasons—the quarterback plays mistake-free winning football, they have a balanced offense and a difference-making defense. What is there not to like? Making another BCS game may be too tall an order, but Jim Grobe is proving he has built a program with staying power.

Credit: Collegiate Images