If any team in the ACC will benefit from an easy non-conference schedule it will be the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. In 2005, they started off their season with a loss to Vanderbilt and followed that up with a loss at Nebraska. But in 2006, it appears that the way is paved for the Demon Deacons to get off to a 5-0 start. Both Syracuse and Duke at home in the first 2 weeks of the season should be easy victories.

Then Wake goes on the road to face the Connecticut Huskies and an Ole Miss team that is as bad as theyve been in quite some time. With Liberty back at home the following week, Wake Forest will be setting good for bowl contention as they should be off to a 5-0 start. The challenge for the Demon Deacons will be whether they can win any late season games. In fact, Wake Forest is 0-8 in games played after November 1st over the past 3 seasons.

It doesnt look too good for them again this year after Novermber 1st as they have Boston College, Florida State, Virginia Tech, and Maryland to finish out the season. I do think that Wake will take at least 1 one its final 4 games to break its after November 1st losing streak. One late season win and a win at N.C. State on October 15th will be enough to get Wake Forest back to a bowl game for the first time since 2002.

Wake will have more depth than theyve had since coach Jim Grobes 1st season, especially up front. The Demon Deacons return 7 offensive lineman which have a total of 84 starts among them. With that much experience up front, they shouldnt have much trouble at all making Micah Andrews look like the record breaking back that Chris Barclay was last season. Ben Mauk will be asked by Grobe to manage the offense and you can expect Wake to be more of a possession oriented offensive team. Mauk started last season as the number 1, but his 9 INTs against 3 Touchdowns forced Grobe to bench him. If he can show this season that he has the ability to throw the football efficiently, it will really open up Wakes stellar ground attack, but dont count on it.

The defense will need to have plenty of endurance as a poor passing game could leave them on the field quite a bit this season. I expect them to be much improved though as the Demons return 8 starters. The linebackers and defensive backs are as solid as any in the ACC, but Wake could get hurt up the middle. Hopefully some of the underclassmen will be able to step up and give the Demon Deacons some more depth to throw fresh legs and different looks at opposing offensive lines.

Dont expect more than 2 league wins from Wake Forest, but theyll be bowling in 2006 nonetheless.