Sports > August 21, 2008

By Martin Rickman | Staff writer

After their magical 2006 Orange Bowl run, the Demon Deacons needed to prove their success was more than just a fluke. They did so with nine wins and a victory over UConn in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Players warm up before the Florida State game last season. The Deacs will travel to Waco, Texas, to take on the Baylor Bears for the first game Aug. 28. (Old Gold & Black file photo)

The Deacs have a new test this year: living up to expectations. Nationally-ranked at No. 21 in the Coaches Poll, the Deacons are expected to succeed this season, something at odds with their usual underdog persona.

Wake’s season is completely dependent upon depth – at the receiver and offensive line positions especially. However, with Jim Grobe at the helm, there is no question that this team will be as prepared as possible when they face the Baylor Bears on Aug. 28.

1. Defense under Lambert

The bad news: Successful Defensive Coordinator Dean Hood left in the off-season to become the new head coach at Eastern Kentucky and DE Jeremy Thompson was drafted by the Green Bay Packers. The good news: The Deacons have a very competent replacement in Brad Lambert, who was previously the linebackers coach, and the team returns almost all of their starters from last year.

Don’t expect a drastic change in the makeup of the defense, which has been the Deacs’ core strength the last two seasons. The team is built around senior stars in cornerback Alphonso Smith and linebacker Aaron Curry as well as incredible depth with players like LBs Stanley Arnoux and Hunter Haynes, DBs Brandon Ghee, Chip Vaughn and Kevin Patterson and defensive linemen like sixth-year player Matt Robinson, Anthony Davis, John Russell and redshirt junior Boo Robinson, who plugs the middle of the line at almost 330 lbs.

2. Offensive Line

Replacing the best center in the ACC is not an easy task to begin with. Replacing the best center in the ACC, as well as three other starters from last year, is a treacherous proposition. Filling in for center Steve Justice, who was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts, will be junior Trey Bailey. The Deacs also lost Louis Frazier and Matt Brim to graduation, as well as Chris DeGeare to academic ineligibility.

This is where Grobe’s redshirting tactics will really be tested as young players will be forced to play veteran roles. The team has Barett McMillian returning at guard, as well as Joe Birdsong and Jeff Griffin on the line. All three fourth-year juniors have starting experience and could keep the line in tact. The fear, though, is if any of those guys get hurt, as behind them is nothing but youth.

3. Recievers

With consistent, accurate passer redshirt junior Riley Skinner gunning it to him, Kenny Moore broke Torry Holt’s ACC record for receptions in a season last year. After being drafted by the Detroit Lions, Moore’s leadership, experience and skill set will definitely be missed, as will the speed of kickoff returner and receiver Kevin Marion. Hoping to minimize the damage is a group of talented but somewhat inexperienced receivers.

Chip Brinkman has been a solid, cool-headed player his whole career at Wake and after catching 27 balls last year, he may be asked to take on a bigger role.

So will DJ Boldin, younger brother of NFL star Anquan Boldin, who had a huge catch in last year’s Meineke Car Care Bowl win over UConn. Jordan Williams will be a deep threat for the Deacs, as he played as a true freshman and has the height and speed to be a real playmaker this year.

The talent is there, but the question is: who will step up? After losing John Tereshinski and Zack Selmon to graduation, the tight end position is also a big question coming into the Baylor game. Ben Wooster will be asked to fill the role, but there is not a great deal of depth behind him.

4. Two-headed monster at RB

Probably the most exciting thing to look for against Baylor will be the Deacon RB attack. ACC Rookie of the Year Josh Adams rushed for almost 1,000 yards last year. His strong downhill running and speed earned him 11 trips to the end zone and he also had 34 receptions.

Sharing the attack will be redshirt freshman Brandon Pendergrass, arguably the Deacs’ highest rated recruit from the 2007 class. Pendergrass is extremely quick, with swiveling hips and a strong, low center-of-gravity. If the offensive line can open up holes for them, the two will be extremely powerful weapons in the Deacon offense.

5. Handling the Hype

Wake Forest comes into the game ranked 23rd in the USA Today Preseason Coaches Poll. Last year, the opening game at BC was talked about as potentially determining the division. In the long run, that loss to BC ultimately kept the Deacs out of the ACC Championship and allowed BC to play Virginia Tech for the ACC title. The Deacs started last year 0-2 coming off their 2006 ACC Championship and Orange Bowl appearance.

If Grobe has anything to do with it, the team will not have a letdown in Waco.