Ready for 2009 - Slimshoom's Blog

Slimshoom's Blog

Ready for 2009

Posted on November 11, 2008 at 08:49 PM.

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After a crushing loss in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons are ready to take the field after their second 10+ win season in school history. The first game of the season is less than 24 hours away, as the Deacons will travel to Huntington, Virginia to face Marshall in their season opener.

The rest of the schedule looks like this:

9/5 - vs #23 Nebraska
9/12 - vs North Carolina
9/19 - vs #25 Maryland
9/26 - @ #12 Clemson
10/1 - vs #13 Florida State
10/8 - @ Boston College
10/17 - vs NC State
10/22 - @ Duke
10/31 - @ Virginia
11/7 - vs Western Kentucky
11/12 - vs Army

The Deacons look very good on offense, as they return ten starters, including every starting offensive lineman from 2008.

The starting offense will look like this

QB - Riley Skinner*
HB - Josh Adams*
FB - Kevin Harris*
WR - Marshall Williams*
WR - Casey Hill
TE - J.T. Dixon*
LT - Joe Birdsong*
LG - Russell Nenon*
C - Trey Bailey*
RG - Barrett McMillin*
RT - Jeff Griffin*

*indicates returning starter

The defense took a hit this offseason with a slew of graduations, including every secondary starter, two out of three starting linebackers, and both starting defensive ends, who combined for 18 sacks in 08.

The defense looks like this:

LE - Cedric Hill
DT - Michael Lockett*
DT - Boo Robinson*
RE - Tripp Russell
OLB - Hunter Haynes*
MLB - Matt Woodlief
OLB - Joey Ehrmann
CB - Brandon Ghee
CB - Michael Williams
FS - Erik Clarke
SS - Jordan Williams

*indicates returning starter

Head coach Jim Grobe plans to start two true freshmen on defense, FS Erik Clark and DE Cerdric Hill. DE Raymond Houston, a highly-sought after recruit from Texas, will also see ample playing time.

The Demon Deacons will once again compete in the ACC Atlantic Division and will make another trip to a bowl, but their young defense could cost them some games.

Projected Record: 9-3 (6-2)
Team MVP: QB Riley Skinner
Offensive Player of the Year: WR Marshall Williams
Defensive Player of the Year: DT Boo Robinson
Best Newcomer: FS Erik Clarke