Florida State at Wake Forest Line

Written by Steve Janus

The No. 23 Florida State Seminoles will look to avoid losing three straight when they go on the road to take on the vastly improved Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The Seminoles come in off back-to-back losses against Oklahoma and Clemson, which has all but ruined their hopes of playing for a National Championship. Florida State will look to get back on track against a Wake Forest team that won three straight since losing to Syracuse in overtime. The Seminoles have won two straight in the series, including a 31-0 home win over the Demon Deacons last year.

Taking a look at the week 6 college football spreads, oddsmakers currently have Florida State favored by 11-points over Wake Forest with the total set at 50 points.

Florida State Seminoles:

While injuries are a part of the game, the Seminoles were really hurting in their last two games. Starting quarterback E.J. Manuel was injured in the third quarter of the Oklahoma game and wasn’t able to play at all against Clemson. Florida State was also without corner Greg Reid, wide out Bert Reed, wide out willie Haulstead, wide out Jarred Haggins, and guard Henry Orelus.

Luckily for the Seminoles they had a bye week after the Clemson game and are expected to get back Manuel, Reid, and there is a chance that wide out Bert Reed will also be able to return.

Clint Trickett filled in for Manuel in the loss against Clemson, and really played an exceptional game given the circumstances. Trickett went 24 of 38 for 336 yards with three touchdowns to just one interception. He did it all with little help from the running game, as the Seminoles managed just 29 yards on the ground. The lack of a running game is nothing new for Florida State this season. The Seminoles are averaging just 79.5 yards per game in 2011.

Manuel brings a much more dynamic presence out of the backfield, as he has the ability to scramble and make plays with his feet when in trouble. Manuel will go up against an improved Wake Forest defense that is allowing just 22 points a game after giving up 35.8 a game in 2010.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons:

The Demon Deacons have been one of the biggest surprises early in the season. Wake Forest won just three games all of last year. If it wasn’t for a 4th quarter collapse that resulted in an overtime loss to the Orange, the Demon Deacons could very easily be 4-0.

Not only has the defense showed some significant improvements, but sophomore quarterback Tanner Price has made some incredible strides in his second season as the starter. Price has thrown for 1,119 yards with seven touchdowns to just two interceptions. He has already tied his touchdown total from 2010 and is just 230 yards away from matching his total passing yards from all of last season.

Chris Givesn is the big threat on the outside for Wake Forest. The junior wide out has a team-high 27 catches for 498 yards and four touchdowns. Sophomore Michael Campanaro and senior Danny Dembry are also worth paying attention to. Each have at least 16 catches for 200 yards and score.

While the passing attack has really picked up the pace this season, Wake Forest still struggles to run the ball. Josh Harris leads the team with just 276 yards and two touchdowns, and the Demon Deacons as a team average just 108.5 a game on the ground.

We will find out just how good the Demon Deacons are this Saturday when they face a Florida State defense that ranks 12th against the run (82.5 ypg) and 14th against the pass (174.5 ypg).

Betting Trends:

Florida State is 5-11 ATS in their last 16 games as a favorite of 10.5 or greater.

Wake Forest is 12-5 ATS in their last 17 games as a home underdog.

Steve Janus went a perfect 5-0 last Saturday and is 13-2 over his last 15 college football plays. Be sure to stop back and see who the expert has picked to win in week 6!

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