Wake Forest @ Army preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 22, 2012 ) Army 37, Wake Forest 49

Wake Forest must be better in the trenches when it travels to West Point for the first time since 1999 to face Army on Saturday. The Demon Deacons are averaging 2.4 yards per carry through the first three games and have to contend with an Army ground attack that ranks seventh in the nation. The Cadets gave fifth-ranked Stanford trouble before losing 34-20 last week, but their top two running backs - Larry Dixon and Raymond Maples - were injured, and their status for Saturday is uncertain.

Army’s triple-option offense will be a severe challenge for the Demon Deacons, who have held teams to an average of 134 yards rushing. The Cadets have to deal with Wake Forest wide receiver Michael Campanaro, who matched an ACC record with 16 receptions in the 21-19 loss to Louisiana-Monroe last week. The Demon Deacons are averaging 240 yards through the air with senior quarterback Tanner Price.

TV: Noon ET, CBS Sports Network. LINE: Wake Forest -3.

ABOUT WAKE FOREST (1-2, 0-1 ACC): Coach Jim Grobe said earlier this week his team probably relied too heavily on the pass and wants the Demon Deacons to be “the best throw team that happens to run the option.” Josh Harris averaged 4.85 yards per carry in gaining a total of 1,760 over the last three seasons at tailback, but he has been held to 55 yards on 25 rushes early on. Price has thrown four touchdown passes but completed only 58.8 percent of his attempts for Wake Forest, which has converted only 29.8 percent of its third-down plays.

ABOUT ARMY (1-2): Dixon rushed for 220 yards over the first two weeks before being limited to 22 on six carries against Stanford, while Maples is coming off two straight 1,000-yard seasons. Terry Baggett will get the majority of the work if either can’t play after recording 96 yards on nine rushes against Stanford. Angel Santiago has received most of the playing time at quarterback over A.J. Schurr for the Cadets, who have thrown only 38 passes in 2013.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Campanaro’s 183 career receptions are the most by an active ACC player. He also is third in receiving yards with 1,966.

2. Army rushed for a school-record 4,438 yards last season, going over 4,000 for only the second time in its history.

3. Wake Forest is 8-4 in the all-time series against Army, winning each of the last six meetings - including a 49-37 triumph in 2012.

PREDICTION: Army 24, Wake Forest 21