2018 Opponent Series: Wake Forest - Oct. 6

Over the next two weeks, we will be giving you an inside look at every opponent on Clemson's schedule. The road to a fourth straight ACC Championship and another College Football Playoff trip begins September 1 against Furman.

2018 Opponent Series

• Sept. 1 vs. Furman
• Sept. 8 @ Texas A&M (Premium)
• Sept. 15 vs. Georgia Southern
• Sept. 22 @ Georgia Tech
• Sept. 29 vs. Syracuse

Wake Forest was 3-9 in Dave Clawson’s first two years in Winston-Salem. Since then, the Demon Deacons have had two consecutive winning seasons, and both ended in bowl wins. Will the steady progress continue in 2018? Clawson is optimistic it will.

“I think if you look at the history of Wake Forest football, there's been flashes of success, but I think that we've built something that we can sustain created a regional and a national narrative that Wake Forest is a place that people aren't surprised when we go to bowl games,” Clawson said.

The Deacs have the pieces in the puzzle to make another run at a bowl game this season, but will have to replace quarterback John Wolford, who threw for 3,192 yards and 29 touchdowns in 2017.

All signs pointed towards redshirt junior Kendall Hinton being the starter, but according to JournalNow.com, he will be sidelined the first three games. 

© Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports

Kendall Hinton against Clemson in Death Valley in 2017.

The defense from the Deacs will begin up front as redshirt senior defensive linemen Zeek Rodney and Willie Yarbay return. The focus in the spring for Wake Forest has been cutting down on big plays and the high scoring shootouts, like the Belk Bowl against Texas A&M last year.

“On defense, it's a whole unit. It's not just one specific group,” Yarbay said at the ACC Kickoff. “Not the safeties, not the linebackers, not the D-line. We all have to get better. If we want to cut down on passing yards, we need to get to the ball faster.

"If we want to stop the run, we've got to get to the ball faster and got to get off blocks. It's really everybody. It's not just one specific group that can change one thing.”

One thing that is sure to help Wake Forest is a record five-game homestand early in the season. They will also participate in three Thursday night games, two on the road.

During the five consecutive games at BB&T Field, the Deacons host Towson on Sept. 8, open ACC play with Boston College on Thursday, Sept. 13, then host Notre Dame (Sept. 22), Rice (Sept. 29) and Clemson (Oct. 6).

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Head coach: Dave Clawson, fifth year

Last season: 8-5 overall, 4-4 in ACC play; defeated Texas A&M 55-52 in Belk Bowl

Returning starters: 8 offense, 6 defense
 

Players to Watch

• Matt Coburn (Running back, Sr.) - The former Dutch Fork standout from in Columbia started in 7 games last year looks for another strong year as he rushed for 904 yards in 2017.
• Zeek Rodney (Defensive linemen, RsSr.) - The Rock Hill, S.C. native looks to cap off his career in Winston-Salem as he started in ten games in 2017 and had 15 tackles.
• All three quarterbacks competing for the starting job - With Kendall Hinton suspended for the first three games, it will be interesting to see who emerges at quarterback. Once Hinton returns, can he climb back into the starting role?

2018 Schedule 

Aug. 30 (Thurs.) - at Tulane

Sept. 8 - vs. Towson

Sept. 13 (Thurs.) - vs. Boston College

Sept. 22 - vs. Notre Dame

Sept. 29 - vs. Rice

Oct. 6 - vs. Clemson

Oct. 20 - at Florida State

Oct. 27 - at Louisville

Nov. 3 - vs. Syracuse

Nov. 8 (Thurs.) - at NC State

Nov. 17 - vs. Pittsburgh

Nov. 24 - at Duke

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