The new NCAA Football season has finally arrived. For every team it marks a rebirth full of hope and optimism, where every team starts with an even chance at glory. However, in college football, not every team is built equally. There are juggernauts like the Ohio State Buckeyes, the defending National Champions at the FBS level, and then there are teams like the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, who are trying to pull themselves up from a disappointing 3-9 campaign last year. They start a new season against the Elon Phoenix Thursday night.
Wake is led by head coach Dave Clawson for the second year. It has been his goal thus far to rebuild the Deacons into a legitimate contender in the ACC. In the NCAA, similar to the pros, a daunting task like that takes time. Clawson knew this when he accepted the job. Each game has a learning curve and the goal every week is improvement.
The Elon game this week is a chance for the players to gain confidence. The opponent from a lower division will be heavy underdogs like the Deacons will be for most of the season when conference play starts. Seniors like linebacker Brandon Chubb will have to lead and get this team motivated to play every game to the best of their abilities, and not just against lowly Elon or in upset opportunities against Florida State, but against every opponent that comes their way.
This game against Elon can show a lot of what Wake Forest will be able to offer this season. Will the run game improve? Can John Wolford make strides as a Sophomore quarterback? Can David slay Goliath in Winston-Salem or will the Demon Deacons start their season with an expected win?
Elon is an FCS school but they’ll give the Deacons all they have. It’s finally time to play some football, let the games begin.