We open as a dog

[Seadog73]

Saw elsewhere Wake is favored by 6.

[coachinwaiting]

It seems a little small to be honest. WF was the #22 team in preseason rankings and they won game 1 convincingly. I would much prefer they were a 19 point favorite to breed some overconfidence in their squad.

[charlestonalum]

If we can pass effectively we have a shot, but Wake even with their backup qb can really pass: i don't think their prolonged handoff game will work. We will have to continue good ball security ( no turovers) and/or have good luck as we have so far with fumbles. Wright has not made bad decusions when passing and that may be the thing he has improved the most so far. We have a shot: 6 points or less either way is my guess.

[nyyankeeDore]

It seems a little small to be honest. WF was the #22 team in preseason rankings and they won game 1 convincingly. I would much prefer they were a 19 point favorite to breed some overconfidence in their squad.

The line is moving toward your preferred place - 9.5 points on Monday morning.

[Johnmn555]

I was expecting about 12.

[cc11316]

Yeah, I was expecting double digits as well and TBH Vandy would be lucky to cover. How does this defense stop a formidable offense? It may be a shootout with an O/U of 100 points.

[coachinwaiting]

If it should climb to 14.5 or more, I’ll take VU to cover.

[geeznotagain]

If we can pass effectively we have a shot, but Wake even with their backup qb can really pass: i don't think their prolonged handoff game will work. We will have to continue good ball security ( no turovers) and/or have good luck as we have so far with fumbles. Wright has not made bad decusions when passing and that may be the thing he has improved the most so far. We have a shot: 6 points or less either way is my guess.

Like your optimism, but question your judgment. It's been effective against defenses far better than ours. We'll see. I have a son who graduated from Wake, and I keep up with them fairly closely.

[Showingold]

Rumor that their QB1 will be making his return on Saturday.

[charlestonalum]

Rumor that their QB1 will be making his return on Saturday.

If true, that tells you how close Wake thinks it is: they would not risk an early return if super confident of a win.

[NWOHDore]

If it's any consolation, the defending Super Bowl champions are opening at home as 2 point dogs.

[alathIN]

Rumor that their QB1 will be making his return on Saturday.

If true, that tells you how close Wake thinks it is: they would not risk an early return if super confident of a win.

Apparently it was a blood clot.
Unlike, say, an ankle injury, it's not something that's prone to re-injury or a lower risk of recurrence by sitting him another week. If it's resolved, it's resolved.

[alathIN]

Considering the program Lea et al inherited, I'd say beating a good FCS team and a bad FBS team with some aspects of the game looking really good and some iffy/questionable aspects - then losing to a top 25 team - would constitute the program progress "on track."

If they can somehow pull out a win against a top 25 team, that would constitute progress way ahead of schedule. I will be pleasantly surprised if that happens.

[buffy]

We're clearly improving. It will be another season before that translates to more wins.

[coachinwaiting]

We're clearly improving. It will be another season before that translates to more wins.

That may be the most logical and level-headed thing said on the subject.


There's no place for that kind of heresy in sports!

[alathIN]

We're clearly improving. It will be another season before that translates to more wins.

I think it will translate to "more" as in "more than last year." I think we can beat NIU, and maybe eke out an SEC win over someone who's having a bad year. So 1.5x or 2x last year's win total. Low bar, I know, but technically it is "more."
This is quibbling really. In principle I agree with you.
I think we are a least one season away from beating a top 25 team, or any SEC team that isn't imploding.

[TnValleyDore]

Like Geez, I'm the dad of a recent Wake alum and have watched a lot of their games the last few years. It's still very early, but right now one would have to expect Wake to again be a legit Top 25.

That said, mobile QBs can give their rather average defense fits, so Wright could have another big game and help keep Saturday's game close for a while. But I don't see how VU can keep up with them for 60 minutes - especially after watching the second half vs. Elon. (I do think Elon is a pretty good FCS team). Wake has a lot of weapons - the receivers are extremely talented and the running game can be sneaky effective. At least as important, Clawson has built a program and culture that works for Wake that serves as an example of where Lea wants to take us. Clawson's Wake teams win the games they are supposed to win and know how to make plays to win close games. No doubt Lea learned a few things coaching under Clawson for two different stints. I do see improvement already. But, as others have stated, it will likely take a year or two to really starting seeing the results.

[nyyankeeDore]

It seems a little small to be honest. WF was the #22 team in preseason rankings and they won game 1 convincingly. I would much prefer they were a 19 point favorite to breed some overconfidence in their squad.

The line is up to 13.5 points Friday evening.

[mathguy]

We're clearly improving. It will be another season before that translates to more wins.

After the Hawaii win I posted on Facebook: "I don't want to get overly optimistic about the season, but when in the first game you are a 9 point favorite and you win by 53, it's time to start thinking ... maybe we can actually go 2-6 in the SEC this year!"