Get off the field against this Wake Forest offense
This Wake Forest offense is no joke, regardless of the level of competition they’ve faced so far this season. They’re currently10th overall in total offense in the entire NCAA, averaging 515 yards per game.
They also play at an extremely fast pace, sitting at 10th in total plays ran – which could present a big challenge to Louisville’s lack of depth defensively. Teams have had success running the hurry up against Louisville’s defense so far this season, they’ll need to force Wake Forest into shorter drives to throw them off of the consistent offensive rhythm that they’ve displayed so far this season.
Wake Forest’s quarterback, Jamie Newman, is currently statistically ranked at the top of the ACC. He’s 7th in the country when it comes to passing yards per game, which is a very scary thought for a Cardinal defense who may have bailed out by the injury to Boston College quarterback Anthony Brown this past weekend. The UofL defense had much better luck against the BC backup, but Newman should be the toughest quarterback the Cardinals have faced since Notre Dame’s Ian Book in week 1.
Passing yards per game, ACC
— Chris Dokish (@ChrisDokish) September 29, 2019
1. Jamie Newman, WF
2. Kenny Pickett, Pitt
3. Jarren Williams, Miami
4. Tommy Devito, Syracuse
5. James Blackman, FSU
6. Bryce Perkins, Virginia
7. Sam Howell, UNC
8. Trevor Lawrence, Clemson
After totaling zero sacks last weekend against Boston College, Louisville’s front seven will have to come up with a few against Wake Forest to put the offense in long-distance situations and force them into longer yardage second and third downs, possibly changing their play calling. As Jacob Lane noted yesterday in his piece on why the Cards will win against the Demon Deacons, Wake Forest is the number one team in the country when it comes to third-down conversions, so Louisville will have to win early in drives to keep Wake Forest from moving the ball up the field.