Wake Forest Demon Deacons vs Duke Blue Devils Picks and Predictions November 30th 2024

Bowl-Bound Duke Aware of “Winning State” as Wake Forest Wobbles to Finish

Duke heads into its regular-season finale against Wake Forest on Saturday in Winston-Salem, N.C., with momentum and pride on the line.

The Blue Devils (8-3, 4-3 ACC) have secured a bowl berth and are riding a two-game winning streak. A victory on Saturday would not only improve their postseason prospects but also secure a clean sweep against in-state opponents, a point of pride for the program.

“Winning in our state is something our guys are fully aware of,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said.

Wake Forest Seeks to Salvage Senior Day

Wake Forest (4-7, 2-5) enters the matchup on a three-game losing streak and will miss bowl eligibility for the second consecutive year. The Demon Deacons are eager to end their season on a high note, particularly for their seniors.

“We owe it to our seniors in our program,” Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said. “I want those guys walking out with a great memory. We’re going to treat this like a playoff game.”

Wake Forest has struggled at home, posting a 1-5 record, but will look to capitalize on the opportunity to bookend their season with a victory at Truist Field.

Key Players to Watch

Duke

• Eli Pancol: The wide receiver is coming off a career-best performance against Virginia Tech, hauling in five catches for 188 yards and three touchdowns, including an 86-yard score—the sixth-longest pass play in Duke history.
• Maalik Murphy: Duke’s quarterback threw for three touchdowns last week but also had three interceptions. His ability to deliver the deep ball will be key.

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Wake Forest

• Spread-Option Offense: The Demon Deacons’ unique offensive system poses challenges for defenses, as Duke coach Diaz acknowledged. “It’s very hard to practice against,” he said.
• Team Effort: Wake Forest will look for a collective performance to overcome their recent struggles and give their seniors a proper sendoff.

Recent History and Matchup Notes

Duke has won the past two meetings against Wake Forest, both by narrow three-point margins. Clawson expressed respect for Diaz’s work in his first year as head coach, continuing the foundation laid by Mike Elko.

“I think Manny and his staff have done amazing jobs in Year 1,” Clawson said. “I think Mike did a really good job of building the program, and Manny has done a phenomenal job.”

Stakes for Both Teams

For Duke, a win would solidify its standing in the bowl selection process and cap an impressive season under Diaz. For Wake Forest, it’s about pride and sending their seniors off with a win after a challenging season.

As both teams take the field, the Blue Devils will aim to maintain their dominance in the state, while the Demon Deacons look to end their season on a high note.