The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are hoping to take a page from Greek mythology and the legendary Hydra. It was said that when this monster had a head cut off, two would grow back in its place.
Well, the Demon Deacons announced in early August that their star quarterback Sam Hartman -who threw for over 4,200 yards and 39 TDs last season- is going to miss significant time this season due to an undisclosed injury.
Although coach Dave Clawson announced that he believes he’ll return at some point, early season games against Clemson, Florida State and Army -at the very least- got that much harder.
What’s more this is a team that finally broke through in 2021-22, winning its first Atlantic Division title in a generation, posting just the second 11-win season in team history and winning a major bowl in cruising to a Gator Bowl victory.
They did it on the strength of one of the best offenses in the nation. Finishing fourth in total points, averaging 41 PPG and scoring 35 or more in 12 of its 14 games.
Most of the supporting cast returns, but with Hartman out indefinitely, the Demon Deacons hope to grow a couple of strong heads between the play of a couple of sophomore quarterbacks in Michael Kern and Mitch Griffis.
The defense may need to adjust its approach if they are to remain competitive. The unit played on the dangerous edge last year. They were sixth worst in the entire nation in allowing first downs, and they gave up 29 PPG. But they were among the very best at producing turnovers and penetrating the backfield for big stops.
They’ll need to be much better at stopping the run and they’ll need to hope that a couple of key transfers joining the squad are just what the doctor ordered.
2022 Wake Forest Demon Deacons NCAA Football Futures Odds
Odds to win the 2022-23 NCAA Championship: 150/1
Odds to win the 2022 ACC Conferences: +1800
Odds to win the 2022 ACC Atlantic Division: +750
2022 Regular Season Win Total: N/A
2022 Heisman Contenders: Sam Hartman +5000
Official website: godeacs.com
Twitter Account : @WakeFB
Odds to win the 2022-23 NCAA Championship: 150/1
Without the quarterback, all bets are now a major risk for Wake Forest. At the top of the list is any hope of winning it all.
The Verdict: Skip it
Odds to win the 2022 ACC Conferences: +1800
In spite of what I just wrote, there are two reasons to consider Wake Forest as a sneaky good long shot pick in the ACC. The first is that the early season schedule is kind. They open against mid-major VMI, then face a traditionally weak Vanderbilt and a rebuilding Liberty club.
So they’ll have a real chance to get their quarterback situation and their offense settled before Clemson comes calling on September 24th.
That leads us to the second point, which is that there’s a lot of talent on this team, and it’ll be very easy for them to rally around their fallen leader. The bonus there, is that they also have hope that he might be able to return later in the year.
The Verdict: A very long shot, but worth a small investment
Odds to win the 2022 ACC Atlantic Division: +750
Last year they didn’t beat Clemson, but still managed to win the division. The Tigers figure to be a much better team this year, so the absence of Hartman is a big strike against them. But at least their schedule avoids Miami, Pittsburgh and both Virginia teams in the ACC.
Quarterback play is a huge question mark, which makes any bet risky, but again if they can get things settled in those first three weeks, they are a sneaky underdog pick.
The Verdict: A small bet only
2022 Regular Season Win Total: N/A
The absence of Hartman takes this wager off the table.
2022 Heisman Contenders: Sam Hartman +5000
The Verdict: Skip it for obvious reasons
Odds According to Bovada as of August, 2022
Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2022 Schedule
| SEASON | |||
| Date | Time | Opponent | TV |
| 1-Sep | 7:30 p.m. | VMI* | ACCN |
| 10-Sep | 12:00 p.m. | at Vanderbilt* | SECN |
| 17-Sep | 5:00 p.m. | Liberty* | ACCN |
| 24-Sep | Clemson | ||
| 1-Oct | at Florida State | ||
| 8-Oct | Army* | ||
| 22-Oct | Boston College | ||
| 29-Oct | at Louisville | ||
| 5-Nov | at NC State | ||
| 12-Nov | North Carolina | ||
| 19-Nov | Syracuse | ||
| 26-Nov | at Duke | ||
Home stadium: Truist Field at Wake Forest, Winston-Salem, NC
*Non-conference game – All times are in Eastern time
Bet on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 2022 Season at Bovada Sportsbook.
