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Spring practices are in the books and fall camps will be here before you know it so that means getting an early jump on the 2006 NCAA football season. Knowing the teams now will save you time in August and Matt Fargo is here to help you get a grasp of what to expect this upcoming year. We go from worst to first in this 2006 College Football Preview.

#50 - Wake Forest Demon Deacons 4-7 SU; 5-6 ATS

Fargo's Take Underachieving is becoming the norm at Wake Forest as some excellent talent has come and gone over the last three seasons without a postseason appearance to show for it. Jim Grobe is in his 6th season as head coach and after leading the Deacons to two winning seasons in his first two years, expectations ran high. Three straight losing seasons have deterred some of those outlooks but this is arguably the best team he has ever had at Wake Forest. He needs a quarterback to step up as well as the defense to become more aggressive to start winning some close games. Over the last three seasons, 11 losses have been by eight points or fewer so getting over that hump is a good start. The Deacons return the most starters of anyone in the ACC so if there is a year for Wake Forest to move up into the upper ranks of the conference, this is the year. The big question is if they can actually play with the big boys. We'll soon find out.

Returning Starters on Offense - 8 Last season was the first since 2000 that the Deacons did not rush for over 200 ypg but they still finished 28th with 197.6 ypg, a very respectable number. The loss of Chris Barclay looks to be devastating for the running game but it isn't going to step back very much, if at all. Micah Andrews takes over at tailback and if his game against Vanderbilt is any indication, as he rushed for 254 yards, he is another star in the making. The offensive line is above average with four starters back so getting some production through the air to provide balance is important. That falls on the arm of junior Ben Mauck, who started last season but was benched after four games. He obviously needs to improve and what could help is the fact that the top three receivers are back as is the starting tight end.

Returning Starters on Defense - 10 Wake Forest wasn't horrible on defense last season but it was bad enough to let some close games slip by. The Deacons were 92nd in the country and last in the ACC in passing defense a season ago but that should change. All four starters return including two senior possible All-ACC starting safeties and one of the nation's best corners in Alphonso Smith. Stopping the run was the strength last season and replacing the interior on the defensive line is a priority. As is generating some sort of pass rush as Wake Forest had just 15 sacks last season. Overall, 13 of the Deacons top 14 tacklers are back this season and if the defense does not show improvement in 2006, it likely never will.

Schedule The schedule sets up well for a quick start but a very tough finish. Wake Forest has the ability to start the year with a 5-0 record if it can win swing games at Connecticut and Mississippi. The three home games over that early stretch are against Syracuse, Duke and Liberty, all sure wins. The ACC schedule then fully kicks in with a tough home game against Clemson followed by back-to-back road games at NC State and North Carolina. The final four games are all difficult with home contests against Boston College and Virginia Tech and road games at Florida St. and Maryland. Miami and Georgia Tech did not make the schedule. The Deacons will somehow have to pull off two upsets in order to become bowl eligible.

You can bet on... With the most starting experience of any team in the conference returning, Grobe is going to likely need to get back to a bowl to retain his job. Another losing season won't be tolerated at the Deacons were flirting with a big move up after his first two years. The first two games of the season will see Wake Forest laying points and that is not a good thing. The Deacons are just 1-9 ATS as a home favorite over the last two seasons including going 0-5 against the number the last two campaigns. They are also just 3-9-1 ATS in non-conference games over the last four years making the games at Connecticut and Mississippi even more difficult. Overachieving is a must for Wake Forest as there is little margin for error in 2006.

About the Author

Matt Fargo is a documented member of the Professional Handicappers League. Read all of his articles at www.procappers.com/Matt_Fargo.htm