The first two months of the season looks to be a brutal stretch for Florida State. Six of the seven FBS teams the Seminoles play in September and October made a bowl game a season ago, with the one exception being Wake Forest.
Just as they did in his first year, the Demon Deacons finished 3-9 and 1-7 in the ACC in the second year under head coach Dave Clawson. Improvement however, was noticeable as Wake hung tough with the likes of Indiana, Duke, Louisville and Florida State. The Seminoles needed an interception from Tyler Hunter in the end zone in the final minute to preserve a 24-16 victory in Winston-Salem.
“I think those moral victories are a sign of progress, but I think there are a lot more things Wake fans can point to to show progress,” said Robert Reinhard, a staff writer for Blogger So Dear, SB Nation’s Wake Forest site. “Clawson has done an excellent job of recruiting during his tenure at Wake. He’s signed the two best recruiting classes (on paper) in school history, and has clearly raised the talent level of the roster. Strength/speed numbers are up across the board, and there is depth at nearly every position.
“It’s unfair to judge Clawson’s first two years at Wake Forest based on the on-field results,” said Reinhard. “His entire job the past two years has been about recruiting, and development. He has done a great job of that so far, and I only expect it to continue. He has raised the funds, and Wake now has an indoor practice facility, and that’s helped (him) recruit what is currently a top 45 recruiting class in 2017. He has the well-earned reputation of being a program builder, and has done everything correctly so far.”
The Seminoles will host the Demon Deacons on Oct. 15. Over the last few years, the biggest weakness for Wake Forest has been the offense. In contests in Tallahassee, Wake hasn’t scored a touchdown since shutting out the Seminoles 30-0 in 2006.
“The offense should absolutely be better in 2016,” said Reinhard. “Wake Forest should be very good at the receiver/tight end positions this year. (It) will have a lot more speed on the perimeter, and I believe those receivers are capable of catching jump balls, and also taking short passes, making defenders miss, and gaining significant yardage. Cam Serigne might be the best tight end in the conference, and Cortez Lewis has a legitimate chance to be an All-ACC player.”
Reinhard added that Wake Forest’s play along the offensive line can only get better and he expects improved quarterback play regardless of whether John Wolford or Kendall Hinton wins the starting job. Reinhard also said Wake’s woes in the running game have been more a result of poor play up front than a lack of talent in the backfield.
Another FSU opponent this year, South Florida, went just 6-18 in its first two years under head coach Willie Taggart before going 8-5 in 2015. In Wake’s third year under Clawson, Reinhard thinks a similar turnaround is possible.
“I believe that Wake has the talent, depth, and experience to win 6-plus games and become bowl-eligible,” he said. “I think a the ceiling is 8-4 if everything goes right, but I think 7-5 is probably closer to a more realistic ceiling. I think a realistic ceiling as a program under Clawson is one that can consistently become bowl-eligible. Yes, Wake Forest won the ACC Championship 10 years ago, but that was a perfect storm. FSU and Clemson were not near the power that they are now. Clawson can certainly beat FSU or Clemson on occasion, but to expect them to do that well enough to win an ACC title? It doesn’t seem as likely.”
Mitch White/FSU athletics
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