Wake Forest @ Florida State preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 14, 2009 ) Florida State 41, Wake Forest 28

A renewed commitment to the running game was coach Jim Grobe’s resounding answer to a disappointing 2009 season in which Wake Forest didn’t have a 100-yard rusher in any single game for the first time in 14 years.

So far, so good, but the Demon Deacons will face their stiffest test yet Saturday when they resume ACC play at Florida State. Wake had no problems imposing its way in wins over hapless Duke and Presbyterian. But doing so in the Seminoles’ home opener at Doak Campbell Stadium is another matter entirely.

The Deacons are no strangers to high-scoring affairs, and this is shaping up as another such contest.

Their “flexbone” offense is predicated on misdirection and resembles the Grobe teams that paced the ACC in rushing four times from 2001-05. That means an FSU defense that ranks 17th nationally against the run will need to remain disciplined and hold their gaps if they are to avoid being victimized by the big play.

Wake Forest enters the game ranked 12th in the nation in scoring at just under 44 points per game, and seventh in rushing offense at 283.7 yards per game. The 131 points scored by the Demon Deacons is the school’s highest total in three straight games since 1939.

Now if only Grobe’s club could play any semblance of defense to go with it.

Stanford torched the mistake-prone Demon Deacons for 535 total yards in last week’s 68-24 thumping in California. The 68 points were the most Wake Forest has surrendered since yielding 72 to Florida State in 1995, and the fifth-highest total in school annals.

The Cardinal consistently did as they pleased, taking advantage of an inexperienced secondary to score touchdowns on its first eight possessions.

The Demon Deacons rank a paltry 111th in pass defense at 294 yards per game, 116th in scoring defense at 43.0 points per game and 108th in total defense at 461 yards allowed per game.

That should excite Florida State senior quarterback Christian Ponder. Seminoles tailback Chris Thompson is fresh off a strong performance against BYU that saw him rush for a career-high 123 yards and a touchdown. Backfield mate Ty Jones added 95 yards in the 34-10 win.

But it was a stingy FSU defense that stole the day after registering eight sacks and 10 tackles for a loss and allowing 191 total yards.

Wake Forest has won three of its last four against Florida State, including its last two trips to Doak Campbell Stadium. The Demon Deacons are 50-18 in Grobe’s 10-year tenure when they score 24 or more points.

The Seminoles haven’t won an ACC opener since edging Miami, 13-10 in 2006.