Wake Forest @ Virginia preview

Last Meeting ( Nov 8, 2008 ) Virginia 17, Wake Forest 28

Phillip Sims will get his third straight start as Virginia will try to snap a five-game losing streak against visiting Wake Forest on Saturday. Sims, a sophomore, and junior Michael Rocco have created a quarterback controversy for coach Mike London with neither seizing the opportunity to lead the Cavaliers. Rocco replaced Sims in the fourth quarter of last week's 27-20 loss to Maryland and threw a touchdown pass, but London decided to return to Sims this week. The Demon Deacons, losers of two straight, have a clear-cut quarterback in Tanner Price, but the junior has struggled lately. He was 13-for-38 in Wake Forest's 19-14 setback at Maryland on Oct. 6.

TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, ACC Network, ESPN3.com. LINE: Virginia -4.5

ABOUT WAKE FOREST (3-3, 1-3 ACC): Price hasn't received much support from the nation's No. 97 rushing attack at 123.2 yards per game, which will face a Virginia team which allowed minus-2 yards on the ground against Maryland. Senior wide receiver Terence Davis has stepped up since top wideout Michael Campanaro broke his hand against Duke. Davis caught six passes for 100 yards against the Blue Devils and seven for 130 versus Maryland. Wide receiver Tommy Bohanon has only eight receptions, but three are touchdowns. Wake Forest has the worst red zone defense in the ACC, allowing 24 scores in 26 chances, including 18 touchdowns. Defensive tackle Kris Redding has forced two fumbles.

ABOUT VIRGINIA (2-5, 0-3): The Cavaliers, 87th in the nation with 139.6 rushing yards per game, recorded 168 against Maryland, the most allowed by the country's No. 9 rushing defense this season. Virginia will likely try to exploit Wake Forest's No. 102 run defense as it waits for one of its quarterbacks to show consistency. Rocco and Sims have combined for 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions, and Sims was 5-of-17 in the first half with a touchdown and interception against Maryland before getting pulled in the fourth quarter. Kevin Parks leads the running attack with 475 yards (5.1 average) and three touchdowns. Virginia's minus-1.86 turnover ratio is second-worst in the nation to Auburn's minus-2.17.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Virginia averages 23.1 points per game compared to Wake Forest's 23.0, while the Demon Deacons allow 31.0 points to the Cavaliers' ACC-worst 33.0.

2. Parks (67.9) and Wake Forest's Josh Harris (62.8) are fifth and sixth, respectively, in the ACC in rushing yards per game.

3. Virginia leads the series 34-13 and has won 27 of the last 33 meetings, including 11 of 12 at home.

PREDICTION: Virginia 20, Wake Forest 17