FSU vs Wake Forest Preview: Don’t Trust The Wake Forest Quarterbacks
The Demon Deacons Have Used Three Different Quarterbacks This Season
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons will look to become the first team to knock off the Florida State Seminoles this season.
Wake Forest has some momentum after earning a 21-17 win over Pittsburgh last weekend to end a three-game losing streak. However, the offense doesn’t have the same firepower as Florida State.
The Seminoles added 38 points against Duke in their recent win and at least 31 points in every game this NCAAF season.
If Wake Forest wants to win this NCAA football game, the offense will likely have to explode.
Despite being on the road, Florida State is sitting at -20 against Wake Forest. Meanwhile, the total is 53.5, with the expectation that we’ll have a higher-scoring game.
Let’s look at the FSU vs Wake Forest preview for this exciting ACC matchup.
Florida State Seminoles vs Wake Forest Demon Deacons 
Day/Time: Saturday, October 28, 12:00 p.m. ET, 9:00 a.m. PT
Location: Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium
Streaming: ABC
FSU vs Wake Forest Preview
The Florida State Seminoles are massive favorites against the spread, with the total currently above 53.
Florida State has won seven straight games to begin the year. However, they’ve covered in five of those seven games. The latest cover came against Duke after earning a 17-point win as 13.5-point favorites.
The total for Seminoles games has also gone Over in five of seven games. However, the Seminoles have recently traded Overs with Unders, with last week’s Duke matchup going Over 49 with a total of 58.
On the other hand, Wake Forest is 3-4 against the spread, despite being 4-3 straight up. The Demon Deacons last covered against Pittsburgh as 2.5-point underdogs after a four-point win.
However, the total hasn’t hit the Over once in Wake Forest games. It’s gone 0-5-2 this season. The first two totals pushed, while the next five went Under.
Although Florida State is a heavy favorite, Wake Forest has defeated Florida State three straight times, including in 2022, with a 31-21 win. The Demon Deacons were six-point underdogs in that game and won outright by ten.
Jordan Travis is Having Fun
The Florida State quarterback, Jordan Travis, has had an admirable season. He’s currently in the Heisman conversation. However, he’s not a potential finalist at this time.
Still, he’s thrown for 1,750 yards with 15 touchdowns and only two interceptions. His QBR of 82.7 is good for 10th in college football.
Travis has also rushed for another five touchdowns. He’s added 50 carries for 176 yards, averaging another 3.5 yards per carry this season.
Against Duke last weekend, Florida State struggled to find offense early on. But in the second half, he ultimately took over the game. He used a 96-yard touchdown drive to push Florida State ahead of Duke.
Travis is a true leader for Florida State. It’s expected as a sixth-year senior, but not every sixth-year senior holds his own. Travis has. And now he’s got Florida State in the College Football Playoff conversation. That sounds pretty fun to us.
The Third-Stringer Coming Through!
The Wake Forest Demon Deacons were down to their third-string starter at quarterback on Saturday against Pittsburgh.
Mitch Griffis and Michael Kern were inactive and didn’t dress for the game. Therefore, Santino Marucci got his first career start as a redshirt sophomore.
He didn’t have the most iconic game ever. He only went 12-for-21 for 151 yards. He also threw two interceptions. But his touchdown pass will be one he’ll remember for a while.
Marucci added a game-winning late touchdown pass with seconds remaining to Cameron Hite to help Wake Forest escape Pittsburgh at home.
The offense was outshined, but Wake Forest found a way. Thanks to Marucci, they’re 4-3 on the season and still smelling a bowl appearance.
It’s unclear if he’ll start next week’s game against Florida State.
Don’t Trust Wake Forest’s Offense
No matter who plays quarterback for Wake Forest, it would be best if you didn’t trust him on Saturday against Florida State.
Florida State has allowed just 200.7 yards per game in the air this NCAAF season.
Mitch Griffis could be back next week. He had been starting for Wake Forest until the Demon Deacons switched to Michael Kern due to his performance. However, Kern got hurt, and Griffis became the quarterback again.
Once he went down, Marucci got the call. Each quarterback has thrown an average of no better than 7.5 yards per attempt. Griffis has nine touchdown passes on 169 attempts. Kern has no touchdowns on 22 attempts, and Marucci got his first touchdown pass in the final seconds against Pittsburgh.
None of these quarterbacks will excite.
It’s a shame because Wake Forest has a solid offense. They’re just missing a quarterback. The Demon Deacons have two running backs averaging at least 4.6 yards per carry with at least 76 attempts. They’ve also got four receivers with at least 16 catches. Each receiver has averaged more than ten yards per catch.
Wake Forest doesn’t have anyone reliable at quarterback.
Can We Expect Florida State to Score 31+ Points Again?
As stated in this FSU vs Wake Forest preview, Florida State has scored at least 31 points in every game this season. The offense has added nearly 450 yards per game behind Jordan Travis. But it’s also due to Trey Benson’s 6.5 yards per carry on 75 attempts this season.
The offense is elite and scoring at a very high rate.
However, they’re facing a Wake Forest defense that has been underappreciated. Wake Forest will have its moments where it’ll allow 30+ points. However, the defense is excellent in the secondary and is playing well against the run, keeping teams to 128.3 yards per game.
It’s unlikely Wake Forest will have much success offensively against Florida State, no matter which quarterback they have. So when Florida State’s got a solid lead with its NCAA football scores, the Seminoles can settle down and run the rest of the clock out.
For those following NCAAF scores and odds, analyzing the college football spread for this game is crucial.
Florida State is the best team in the ACC college football standings. That won’t change this week. But we’re more comfortable taking the Under 53.5 for our college football betting lines best bet.
For NCAAF betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
