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2018 Wake Forest game page

WINSTON-SALEM (Sept. 28) – In a half-way
rational world (which the events of the day most assuredly
demonstrate we do not live in), two institutions such as Rice and
Wake Forest would be expected to line up on even terms on the
athletic field, and go toe-to-toe in their game coming up here
Saturday (2:30 CDT).
Similar academic philosophies, commonly small enrollments, generally
equivalent aspirations, if not out out-and-out scholastic peerage,
at least in the same echelon – one could hardly expect any more
evenly-situated athletic opponents.
But here we are, on the eve of tomorrow’s kickoff between the Owls
and the Demon Deacons (huh?) in Winston-Salem, and the contest is
being described by local scribes, and assumed by local hoi-polloi,
as a virtual week off for the local contingent.
Such is the lot with which Rice must face, as it strives to escape
the nadir of a long, downward slide away from major college
athletics relevance.
Now it is true that there is a new management present on South Main,
and differences in approach and style and effort can be seen
already, on the gridiron, in the locker room, and around athletic
climes generally.
Still, after last week’s disappointing loss to Southern
Mississippi,, one could hardly expect any self respecting Power Five
program, either on the field or in the stands, to consider this
week’s opponent in any other way.
And yet there exists at least some evidence to suggest that Old Gold
and Black clad fans populating the bleachers of BBS&G Field here
Saturday might have reason to find their pulse a bit quickened, if
not hopes completely dashed, by the team Coach Mike Bloomgren trots
out in their all-white padded PJs.
Let’s look at this opponent’s record. They’re an even 2-2 on the
season, which comes to the Deacs as a mile disappointment, what with
their 2017 season-capping bowl win over Texas A&M in the Belk Bowl.
The Demon Deacons (quick fact: they’re a Baptist School, kind of a
politcally correct Baylor) managed a 23-17 overtime win over the
Tulane Green Wave in New Orleans to open the season– hardly a shot
heard ‘round the world.
They then added a 51-20 win over powerhouse Towson State, a
Baltimore school that combines sort of the least impressive aspects
of TSU and the University of Houston.
Then, at home for the first time, and in the shadow of an oncoming
hurricane, they lost to Boston College, 41-34 after havi been
favored by a similar tally. The Wake defensive secondary was laid
bare in that loss.
Next came the home game of the year, a bout last Saturday with Notre
Dame – hmm, Catholics versus Baptists – where in the Domers pounded
the home team willy-nilly, taking a 49-13 lead into the fourth
quarter before giving up a couple of garbage-time TDs leading to a
56-27 final score.
The Wake Forest defense was so impressive in that one, that the
result had the team’s defensive coordinator summarily been given the
pink slip, whereupn the WF defense is new being managed by a troika
of defensive assistants.
What we’r trying to say is... these guys put their pants on one leg
at a time, too.
They’ve allowed 97 points across their last two games; sure it was
against BC and ND, but the Rice defensive fails have come against
high-tempo, high-scoring outfitls Houston and Hawaii, as well.
The Golden Domers .\rolled up 556 offensive yards while scoring a\
eight touchdowns against the Southern Baptists. Granted, ho-hum, the
Irish are currently ranked number eight in the nation.
Not that we’d ever wager on our Insitute Boys, one way or the other,
but it’s informative to consider Wake's season success against the
bettors’ point spread. In a nutshell, there hasn’t been any.
The Deacons are 0-4 against-the-spread in their last four games
following an ATS loss, and also 0-4 against the spread in their last
four home games. Continuing....Wake Forest is also 0-4 ATS in their
last four non-conference games and 0-6 against the spread in their
last six games overall.
So it may be best news of all, that those Deacons are a 24.5 point
favorite going into the game Saturday.
Or not.
--PTH
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