Heel Tough Blog: Wake Forest Preview

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The Tar Heels look to extend their win streak to three games on Saturday when they face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in Winston-Salem. In order to do that, they will have to take down a squad that has been one of the biggest surprises in the ACC this season. Here’s a look at everything that you need to know about this very important game that starts a three game stretch where the team will face in-state foes to close out the season.

Team Breakdowns

Tar Heels

The Tar Heels come into this game as confident as they have been all season, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Offensively, things remain a work in progress as the team searches for consistency from each position group down the stretch of the season. Gio Lopez has had two strong second halves in a row, but needs to get off to a faster start in these final three games if the Tar Heels are going to find their way into a bowl game. He still has some moments where his accuracy isn’t great, especially on deep balls, but when he had to step up and make plays to win the game, he has in the past two weeks. He has been aided by a receiving corps that has seen Jordan Shipp and Kobe Paysour become steady producers over the last four games and the running backs getting involved in the passing game, as well. It would be nice for that slot receiver to finally emerge in this crucial stretch to close the season, but that might be asking a little too much from that young and inexperienced group that plays there. What would also be helpful would be a running game that this offense can rely on from week to week. The Tar Heels' offensive line is a big reason for the struggles because of their inability to consistently win at the point of attack in run blocking situations. While this unit may be pretty beat up due to injuries, guys like Jakai Moore and Daniel King, who have been starting all season, simply need to block better to open up holes for this crop of running backs. In that backfield, there still needs to be a more defined rotation and Demon June needs to get consistent carries, no matter what you are seeing from early in games. Davion Gause also needs to see the majority of the snaps behind him because he is the perfect change of pace and pass catching back that this team needs.

Defensively, the Tar Heels have turned into one of the best units in the ACC over the last four weeks and will look to continue that success against a Wake Forest offense that has struggled to score points in the last few weeks. The Tar Heels will be hoping to dominate up front again led by Melkart Abou-Jaoude and Tyler Thompson off the edge, who will need to be strategic with how they pass rush in this game. The interior of the unit, led by CJ Mims and Isaiah Johnson, will also be looking to continue their success in the run game against one of the ACC most talented running backs. They will be hoping to make things easier for a linebacking corps that is having a strong season overall. Khmori House is coming off of his best performance as a Tar Heel and Andrew Simpson might just be doing the same as they seem to be hitting their stride as this defense is doing the same. The defensive backfield has shown major improvement in recent weeks and is now expecting to get Thaddeus Dixon back from injury either this week or next. The hope is that when he returns, the team puts him opposite of Jaiden Patterson, who has proven since he has taken over for Dixon that he is worth keeping out there. At safety, Will Hardy has found his groove, as well, and is playing maybe the best football of his career.

Special teams is in solid shape and he’s been progressing well throughout the season. Punter Tom Maginness is in the midst of a career year while Rece Verhoff has proved to be mostly reliable this season. The returns haven’t impressed, but they haven’t been bad either.

Wake Forest

The Demon Deacons have been one of the bigger surprises in the ACC this season under first year head coach Jake Dickert. On offense, everything begins with the running game which is led by one of the best running backs in the league in Demond Claiborne. While he might be as dominant as it was thought he could be this season, he is still on pace to run for 1,000 yards and might just be the best running back the Tar Heels have faced this season. They will also have to be prepared for the wheels of quarterback Robby Ashford, who might be struggling through the air, but has the ability to make life difficult on the ground if you don’t contain him the right way. Forcing him to stay in the pocket and win the game with his arm needs to be the approach for the Tar Heels especially with how beat up the wide receiving corps is for the Demon Deacons. Micah Mays Jr., the team’s deep threat, has already been declared out for this game while leading receiver Chris Barnes will be a gametime decision. The offensive line may not be perfect, but it is a group that is better than the last two the Tar Heels have faced despite two starters having allowed double-digit pressures so far this year.

Defensively, this might be the best unit that the Tar Heels have faced so far this season. It all starts up front with a defensive line that has gotten an immense amount of pressure on opposing quarterbacks all season long. The team has four players that have at least 20 total quarterback pressures, led by edge rushers Nuer Gatkuoth and Langston Hardy, who could have big days if the Tar Heels aren’t up to the task. The interior of the unit is also doing a good job of shutting things down in the run game the way that the Tar Heels defensive line is doing. Linebacker might be the weakest part of the unit, but is still in good shape in the hands of Dylan Brazen, Quincy Bryant and Frank Cusano. The secondary on the other hand might be the best unit on the entire team. Safety Nick Anderson is having an outstanding season as both a run and pass defender and corner Karon Prunty might be one of the most underrated players at his position in the entire country. Lardarius Webb is also having a strong season opposite of him, making this a tough secondary to solve.

Special teams are in relatively good shape. Kicker is in good hands with Connor Calvert, who does have some misses, but is mostly reliable and the return games have been explosive thanks to Chris Barnes on kicks and Carlos Hernandez on punts. Punting is the one area they could stand to be better in because Cal Joseph is having a rough year.

Team Stats

Tar Heels

Off. PPG: 19.4 (T-123rd)

Off. PYPG: 178.0 (113th)

Off. RYPG: 115.1 (115th)

Off. TYPG: 293.1 (130th)

Off. 3rd Down %: 33.3% (119th)

Off. 4th Down %: 76.9% (6th)

Off. Red Zone TD%: 50.0% (T-118th)

Tackles For A Loss Allowed: 51.0 (T-75th)

Sacks Allowed: 13.0 (T-32nd)

Def. PPG: 21.3 (37th)

Def. PYPG: 218.7 (68th)

Def. RYPG: 102.6 (T-15th)

Def. TYPG: 321.2 (28th)

Def. 3rd Down %: 41.5% (94th)

Def. 4th Down %: 68.4% (123rd)

Def. Red Zone TD%: 37.9% (4th)

Tackles for A Loss: 52.0 (T-61st)

Sacks: 27.0 (13th)

Interceptions: 6 (T-73rd)

Turnover Margin: -3 (T-97th)

Penalties Per Game: 5.8 (T-47th)

Penalty Yards Per Game: 52.7 (T-61st)

Wake Forest

Off. PPG: 23.3 (T-99th)

Off. PYPG: 215.6 (87th)

Off. RYPG: 141.1 (86th)

Off. TYPG: 356.7 (91st)

Off. 3rd Down %: 35.7% (106th)

Off. 4th Down %: 50.0% (T-81st)

Off. Red Zone TD%: 34.5% (134th)

Tackles For A Loss Allowed: 43.0 (T-40th)

Sacks Allowed: 12.0 (T-26th)

Def. PPG: 20.3 (30th)

Def. PYPG: 188.2 (29th)

Def. RYPG: 137.1 (50th)

Def. TYPG: 325.3 (34th)

Def. 3rd Down %: 36.3% (T-46th)

Def. 4th Down %: 31.6% (T-6th)

Def. Red Zone TD%: 50.0% (T-16th)

Tackles for A Loss: 63.0 (T-21st)

Sacks: 19.0 (T-64th)

Interceptions: 4 (T-111th)

Turnover Margin: 0 (T-68th)

Penalties Per Game: 8.0 (T-131st)

Penalty Yards Per Game: 72.2 (134th)

Keys to the Game

-Win the Line of Scrimmage

-Win the Turnover Battle

-Score When You Get to the Redzone

Injury Report

Tar Heels

OUT- Aidan Banfield (undisclosed), Evan Bennett (undisclosed), Kaleb Cost (undisclosed), Thaddeus Dixon (upper body), Cort Halsey (undisclosed), Tyler Houser (undisclosed), Christo Kelly (undisclosed), Chad Lindberg (arm), Henry Martello (undisclosed), Deems May (undisclosed), Chinedu Onyeagoro (undisclosed), Peter Pesansky (undisclosed), Kamarion Thomas (undisclosed), Peyton Waters (undisclosed), Laderion Williams (undisclosed)

Wake Forest

OUT- Uber Ajongo (undisclosed), Chris Barnes (undisclosed), David Egbe (undisclosed), Sascha Garcia (undisclosed), Josh Harrison (undisclosed), Rohan Macneill (undisclosed), Micah Mays Jr. (undisclosed), Elijah Oehike (undisclosed), Nathan Pahanich (undisclosed), Brandon Smiley (undisclosed), Wesley Stroebel (undisclosed), Rushaun Tongue (undisclosed), Ian VerSteeg (undisclosed), Luke White (undisclosed), Ashaad Williams (undisclosed), Braxton Winston III (undisclosed)

Projected Starting Lineup

Tar Heels

Offense

QB# 7 Gio Lopez, So.

RB#35 Demon June, Fr.

WR-X# 1 Jordan Shipp, So.

WR-SL# 9 Javarius Green, RFr.

WR-Z# 8 Kobe Paysour, Sr.

TE#19 Jake Johnson, Jr.

LT#66 Jordan Hall, So.

LG#73 Will O’Steen, Sr.

C#58 Austin Blaske, Sr., Sr.

RG#52 Daniel King, Sr.

RT#55 Jakai Moore, Sr.

Defense

DE# 8 Smith Vilbert, Sr.

DT# 6 D’Antre Robinson, So.

DT#92 CJ Mims, Jr.

DE# 9 Melkart Abu-Jaoude, Jr.

WLB# 7 Khmori House, So.

MLB# 2 Andrew Simpson, Sr.

CB# 1 Thaddeus Dixon, Sr.

SS# 5 Gavin Gibson, Sr.

FS#31 Will Hardy, Sr.

CB#29 Marcus Allen, Sr.

NB#21 Kaleb Cost, Jr.

Special Teams

PK#90 Rece Verhoff, Sr.

P#96 Tom Maginness, Sr.

KOS#90 Rece Verhoff, Sr.

LS#42 Spencer Triplett, Sr.

H#96 Tom Maginness, Jr.

KR#27 Jaylen McGill, Fr.

PR#31 Will Hardy, Sr.

Wake Forest

Offense

QB# 2 Robby Ashford, Sr.

RB# 1 Demond Claibrone, Sr.

WR-X# 4 Sterling Berkhalter, Sr.

WR-Z#11 Reginald Vick Jr., Jr.

WR-SL#10 Chris Barnes, RFr.

TE#84 Eni Falayi, Sr.

LT#71 Melvin Siani, So.

LG#73 George Steih, So.

C#70 Devin Kylany, Sr.

RG#77 George Sell, Sr.

RT#79 Fa’alili Fa’amoe, Sr.

Defense

DE#10 Gabe Kirschke, Jr.

NT#94 Zach Lohavichan, Sr.

DT#52 Dallas Afalava, Jr.

EDGE#11 Langston Hardy, Sr.

WLB#24 Dylan Hazen, Sr.

MLB#21 Aiden Hall, Jr.

LCB#20 Lardarius Webb, Sr.

SS#45 Nick Andersen, Sr.

FS#23 Braylon Johnson, So.

RCB# 3 Karon Prunty, Sr.

Special Teams

PK#90 Connor Calvert, RFr.

P#91 Cal Joseph, Fr.

KOS#97 Caleb Carlson, Jr.

LS#32 Will Cobb, Sr.

H#91 Cal Joseph, Fr.

KR#10 Chris Barnes, RFr.

PR# 8 Carlos Hernandez, Jr.

Game Information

Kickoff Time: 4:30 PM ET

TV: The CW

Radio: Tar Heel Sports Network