Miami Hurricanes vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Despite a loss, a solid season still hangs in the balance for the Miami Hurricanes. While they were hoping that their good start would give them a chance at a BCS berth, it looks like their latest loss will preclude that. Still the Hurricanes know this could be their transition season from dormant to national power in coming years.

Miami (5-2, 2-2) had played one of the toughest schedule in the country in the early part of the season, playing four straight opponents by making it out nearly unscathed with a 5-1 record, the only loss coming in a soggy afternoon road game against Virginia Tech.

The Hurricanes soared to number eight after that stretch, but now sits 10 spots lower after an overtime loss to unranked Clemson, 40-37, at home last Saturday. The loss was costly within their own conference and division as they toppled to fifth place in the Coastal Division.

Miami held the lead seven times but was unable to put their foot on the throat of their opponents as they turned the ball over four times, including three interceptions from quarterback Jacory Harris.

Judging from history, the Hurricanes should get back on track this week as they travel to Winston-Salem, North Carolina to face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4-4, 2-2), who have not beaten Miami since World War II was still raging.

Though their last win in the series was 1944, it spans just five games, since the teams rarely played each other before Wake Forest joined the ACC in 2004, where they have gone 0-3 against Miami as conference rivals.

The Demon Deacons paused ACC play to travel to play Navy and they came out with a disappointing 13-10 loss last Saturday, their second straight. In Wake Forest’s two losses they have not gotten good quarterback play from Riley Skinner, who was 24 of 49 for 255 yards, including a season-low 82 yards against Clemson two weeks ago, with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Skinner has the potential to break out of a slump quickly as he is tied for the conference lead with 16 touchdown passes and is 51 yards away from joining former NC State, now NFL, star Phillip Rivers as the only ACC quarterback to throw for 2000 yards in all four collegiate seasons.

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