The Vanderbilt Commodores play host to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday afternoon from FirstBank Stadium in a crucial matchup for both teams. The Commodores have nothing but impressive so far this season, though welcoming a likely Top 25 team to town could humble them quickly. For the Demon Deacons, welcoming back some players could prove to only make this team even more dangerous in week two. These two teams haven't met since all the way back in 2013 and considering how different the two groups look now, it could be interesting.
Wake Forest was one of the biggest stories in 2021 and considering how much this group is bringing back, there's no doubt that they can be an ACC contender again in 2022. Last weekend was a great opportunity to ease into the season, taking down VMI 44-10, though Vandy should prove to be a more difficult opponent, especially going on the road. The road was where this group struggled last season, losing two of their last three road games of the season, also losing a neutral site game against Pittsburgh in the ACC Championship.
All eyes continue to be on the injury report heading into this one though. Sam Hartman (illness) one of the ACC's best quarterbacks over the last few years, seems more and more primed to make a return on Saturday, which would be perfect timing against an SEC opponent, though his status will want to be monitored.
Locked in on Saturday.#MINDSET ?? pic.twitter.com/ejy1d1yOfF
— Wake Forest Football (@WakeFB) September 8, 2022
Wake Forest had no issues moving the ball last week and considering they didn't even have Hartman at quarterback, it could have been worse. The emphasis for this group is on finding more balance between the run and pass attacks this season and that was on full display last week. If Hartman comes back, it seems unlikely that Vandy will have the tools to slow them down, Mitch Griffis (288 yards, 3 touchdowns) showed signs of stepping in nicely. The x-factor will be Christian Turner and if he hit 100 yards on the ground for the second-straight week, this team will be in good shape.
Defensively, the Demon Deacons struggled to slow down anyone and everyone last season, which could be the case yet again. Vandy has shown signs of moving the ball, especially with their dual-threat talent at quarterback, which has always been difficult for Wake Forest to stop. It seems like it'll come down to Wake Forest's ability to force turnovers. last week, they were unable to make that happen and while it didn't come to haunt them, not generating those extra possessions isn't likely to be as lucky for this group on the road against a Power 5 opponent.