College Football Preview – Army Black Knights vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons

The No. 16 Wake Forest Demon Deacons are currently the team to beat in the ACC. Wake Forest is the only undefeated team left in the conference, and the Demon Deacons are 4-0 against their ACC foes. That has Dave Clawson in the mix to be named the ACC Coach of the Year. Clawson and the Demon Deacons will have a tough test this weekend though as they head to West Point to take on the Army Black Knights.

The Army Black Knights will host the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday, October 23, 2021, at 12 p.m. ET on CBS Sports Network from Michie Stadium in West Point, New York.

College Football Betting Odds

Wake Forest -3

Army +3

Total 52.5

Wake Forest is only a field goal favorite in this game. The Demon Deacons are unbeaten, but they have struggled in their last two outings. They were only able to beat Louisville by three points in Winston-Salem, and they needed overtime to beat Syracuse two weeks ago.

Army started the season 4-0 before losing its last two games. The Black Knights suffered a disappointing loss as a double-digit favorite against Ball State in early October before losing to Wisconsin in Camp Randall last week.

When Army Has the Ball

The Black Knights run the triple option, and they do a better job of it than the other service academies. Army runs the ball on over 90% of plays, averaging 4.7 YPC and 295.0 YPG.

Christian Anderson is expected to start under center once again this week. Anderson missed the last two games due to injury, and Tyhier Tyler wasn’t as effective as the pivot. Anderson is the most effective passer on the team, and he also leads the Black Knights in rushing with 431 yards and five touchdowns while averaging 7.4 YPC. Tyrell Robinson is the home run hitter, averaging 9.1 YPC for Army.

The Demon Deacons have had a hard time stopping the run. Wake Forest is allowing 4.6 YPC and 180.4 YPG on the ground. That ranks among the worst Power Five teams in the country, but the Demon Deacons have at least had two weeks to prepare for the triple option.

When Wake Forest Has the Ball

Sam Hartman is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the country. Hartman is completing 63% of his passes for 8.8 YPA with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions. He is thriving off the Wake Forest mesh scheme that calls for the quarterback to hold the ball as long as possible on RPOs.

Wake Forest is averaging 4.0 YPC on the ground. Christian Beal-Smith and Justice Ellison are both averaging 4.6 YPC as the top ballcarriers, while Jaquarii Roberson and A.T. Perry are the leading receivers. They have made plenty of big plays, helping keep this team unbeaten.

The Black Knights are great at stopping the run. They are allowing opponents to average just 3.0 YPC and 78.0 YPG. They have been susceptible to the pass though, so Hartman could have a big day on Saturday afternoon.

Prediction

This game should go over the total as both offenses amass over 400 yards of offense, but Wake Forest will likely pull it out with the extra preparation.

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