Liberty @ Wake Forest preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 30, 2006 ) Liberty 14, Wake Forest 34

Wake Forest fell apart on defense following a 5-2 start last season, surrendering 450.5 yards and 30 points per game during a 1-5 finish. The Demon Deacons should be much improved on that side of the ball in 2012 as they return seven starters, including preseason All-ACC nose guard Nikita Whitlock and All-American cornerback Merrill Noel. Liberty welcomes former Kansas coach Turner Gill into the fold after his two-year stint with the Jayhawks. Prior to his unsuccessful stay in the Big 12, Gill turned around a dormant Buffalo program. He landed on his feet with a Flames team that has claimed four of the last six Big South titles.

TV: 6:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3.com. LINE: None.

ABOUT LIBERTY (2011: 7-4, 5-1 Big South): Picked to finish second in their conference, the Flames landed seven players on the preseason all-conference team. One of those players, WR Pat Kelly, is Liberty’s top returning receiver after finishing 2011 with a career-high 40 catches for 591 yards and three touchdowns. The Flames averaged 35.9 points last season, but may find themselves leaning a bit more on defense in 2012 with four preseason all-conference selections on that side of the ball (Francis Bah, Nick Sigmon, Walt Aikens and Kevin Fogg).

ABOUT WAKE FOREST (2011: 6-7, 5-3 ACC): If the Demon Deacons can overcome four new starters on the offensive line, then junior QB Tanner Price stands a great chance at repeating his efficient play from 2011. Although Price lost top target Chris Givens to the NFL, his departure will be lessened by junior WR Michael Campanaro, who finished second on the team with 73 receptions, and the healthy return of RB Josh Harris. Plagued by a hamstring injury last season, Harris is reportedly flashing the same form that allowed him to rush for 241 yards in a 2010 game against Virginia Tech.

EXTRA POINTS

1. In the midst of its ACC Championship run in 2006, Wake Forest won the only previous meeting between the schools, 34-14.

2. This will be the second consecutive year the Flames have kicked off their season against an ACC opponent after a 43-21 setback at North Carolina State in 2011.

3. Price did not throw an interception over his final 173 pass attempts as the Demon Deacons set a school record for fewest turnovers in a season with 12.

PREDICTION: Wake Forest 34, Liberty 17.