Duke football vs. Wake Forest: Scouting report, prediction for ACC matchup
Following a tough two-week stretch, Duke football has fallen outside of the AP Top 25 poll.
The Blue Devils (5-3, 2-2 ACC) return to Durham this week with hopes of getting back on track against Wake Forest (4-4, 1-4) on Thursday night (7:30 p.m., ESPN) at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Duke is coming off back-to-back road losses at Florida State and Louisville. The Demon Deacons have lost four of their last five, including a 41-16 loss to the Seminoles last week in Winston-Salem.
Duke won 34-31 against Wake Forest last season in Durham, but the Deacs have won three of the last four in the series. Here’s a look at some things to watch and a score prediction for the Blue Devils’ latest meeting with Wake Forest.
Duke football coach Mike Elko wants to see response
In the first 19 games under coach Mike Elko, Duke didn’t lose by double digits. Now, the Blue Devils are coming off double-digit losses in consecutive weeks and haven’t scored in six quarters. Duke’s 23-0 loss at Louisville was the first time the Blue Devils have been blanked since a 48-0 loss to Virginia in 2021. Following the loss to the Cards, Elko pointed to a slow start and penalties as some of the main concerns. Duke had 10 penalties for 82 yards and dug itself a 17-0 hole in the first half. That can’t happen this week.
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Blue Devils need more from Riley Leonard, passing offense
If quarterback Riley Leonard isn’t the best version of himself, Duke can’t be the best version of itself. Leonard has battled through an ankle injury since the loss to Notre Dame and the offense has suffered as Leonard works his way back into the mix. He completed 9-of-23 passes for 151 yards and an interception against Louisville. This could be the opportunity for a get-right game. In Duke’s 34-31 win against Wake last season, Leonard had nearly 400 passing yards with four touchdowns. The Demon Deacons are 112th among FBS programs in passing defense this season.
Duke vs. Wake Forest score prediction
Duke 21, Wake Forest 18: The Blue Devils have played well at home and the Demon Deacons haven’t won an ACC game on the road this season. I’ll take Duke’s defense to bounce back and lead the way in a win.
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Duke football vs. Wake Forest: Scouting report, prediction
