Time is flying this season. We are already up to our eighth game, and this weeks opponent is the Demon Deacons of Wake Forest. This game is huge for Maryland as one more win gets them to Bowl Eligibility, and this is a home game where they are favored. This weeks guest blogger is RAJohnston from Blogger So Dear, a Wake Blog. Be sure to check it out as we get closer to the game for some really good insight on the Deacs. Thanks again for taking the time to answer our questions and good luck this week.
1. Even though Wake has struggled lately, I give Jim Grobe a great deal of respect. There were a couple of games where everyone in the stadium knew what was coming, and the Deacs still were able to run the ball right at Maryland. How has the offense fared with Tanner Price under center?
Thanks for the kind words about Coach Grobe. I think Tanner Price is the guy for the job at QB for the Deacs. He has looked very poised, albeit most of it not from “under center”. Price is a lefty, and can put a lot of zip on his throws. Once the guys get adjusted to his throwing style and power (if they haven’t already), he will be a fantastic QB. His game against Navy was very representative of how he can manage a game and just wear a defense down.
2. I always thought Josh Adams was going to be a star after his freshman year, but it seems as if that might have been his best season. What has stopped him from taking the next step for Wake now that he is in the middle of his senior year.?
Josh Adams did look very good his freshman year. He is a great guy on and off the field to have. It seems that the majority of his problems stem from a couple of things. First of all, he often takes too long evaluating the line and which way to go. This brief hesitation gives the defense a lot of time to get into the backfield and stop him. Adams also tends to run too much to the sidelines instead of north/south. If he will trust his reads and just hit the hole a split second faster, he will be able to replicate the success of his freshman year.
3. Wake has give up some points. I am not sure Maryland wants to get into a shoot out, but if they needed to score a lot of points where can the Maryland offense have an advantage?
Honestly Chris, I would be surprised if Maryland doesn’t score at least 35 points this Saturday. Our defense this year has been horrendous. The only reason that our passing defense numbers (and total defense for that matter) aren’t worse, is because we have played Navy and Georgia Tech. Both of those teams took their time on possessions, yet when it mattered still beat us with long drives, with two non-throwing QB’s in Dobbs and Nesbitt. I think the passing game is where Maryland should try to attack. Wake Forest has to get more pressure up front or O’Brien will absolutely kill us. Our secondary is weak as is, but when we get no pressure on the QB, it makes for a pretty hopeless situation.
4. What unknown Player on Wake should we keep an eye on?
Although he is quickly becoming known around Winston-Salem, Michael Campanaro is a name that most fans in the ACC have not heard before. He is a wide receiver/flanker for us, and he has ELITE speed. He is currently showing his talents on kickoffs for us (25.18 ypr, ranking 50th in the country and 2nd in the ACC). Camp is not getting a lot of time on offense, and that has been a point of frustration for fans that I have seen. I do think he should get more looks on offense, and would certainly not be surprised if he took a kick back on Saturday. God knows he will get enough opportunities…
5. Where do you think Wake might have an advantage over the Terps?
I think that Wake Forest should try to exploit the rush defense of Maryland. I know that the Terps have a decent rush D, ranking 51st in the country, and 4th in the ACC, at a shade over 143 ypg. That being said, Josh Harris had a breakout game against Virginia Tech (20 rushes for 241 yards, 2 tds). I fully expect Harris to get at least 15-20 touches every game the rest of the year. If he gets those number of touches, he should rush for at least 90-100 yards on Saturday. The offensive line is much improved, and I think we should be able to get at least 150 yards, if not 175-200 on Saturday.
6. What is your prediction for the game?
Ahh, this is a tough question for me to answer. It is hard for me to pick Wake Forest right now because of our inability to play anything that resembles even remotely good defense. That being said, I think there are a few things working in our favor this weekend. Maryland is coming off a big win @ BC and is riding high coming back to College Park. Wake Forest is coming off a bye-week, where by everything that I have heard has simply been a hell week in practice. I think we will be itching to hit somebody, and our defense eager to prove all the critics wrong. I am going to make a very, very bold claim here and say that our defense really steps up this week. Improved defense + Josh Harris gaining 125+ yards/2 TDs gives the Deacs the upset 31-27. It would not shock me if either team scored 50 points though.
Best of luck this weekend Chris, and thank you for having me to discuss the game!
Thanks again for taking the time to answer. Also, be sure to
check this out for my responses to the Blogger So Dear’s questions about the Terps.
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October 26th, 2010 at 12:32 pm
MD’s favored by 5 1/2. My money would be on Wake this week. But not to win. I think our Terps win this one but it’s going to be close. I’m expecting a lot of back and forth but MD eventually holds on and wins, 38-35. And the close game gives 2 or 3 of our older alumns in town for homecoming minor heart attacks.