We've got an ACC clash set to take place in Palo Alto, California, as the Stanford Cardinal (2-5) host the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (3-4). It's been another challenging season for Stanford, which enters the matchup 2-5 and 1-3 in ACC play.
Meanwhile, the Deacons are coming off a road victory at UConn and have returned to the conversation to earn a bid to bowl season. Head coach Dave Clawson has been at the helm for 11 seasons, and many questioned how long he could stay.
Oddsmakers have the Deacons as 2.5-point road favorites. The total is set at 54.5, with most of the betting tickets on the under. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Oct. 26, and can be streamed live on ACC Network.
Let's get into my Wake Forest vs. Stanford predictions and college football picks for this NCAAF Week 9 matchup.
Wake Forest vs Stanford Prediction, Picks
My Wake Forest vs Stanford best bet is on the over, with the best line available at bet365 Sportsbook.
Wake Forest vs Stanford Odds, Spread, Lines
| Wake Forest Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -102 | 53.5 -110o / -110u | -144 |
| Stanford Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -120 | 53.5 -110o / -110u | +120 |
- Wake Forest vs Stanford Point Spread: Wake Forest -3.5
- Wake Forest vs Stanford Over/Under: 53.5 Points
- Wake Forest vs Stanford Moneyline: Wake Forest -144 · Stanford +120
Wake Forest vs Stanford Preview
Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Preview: Questions About Defense
The Deacons squeaked a victory last week against the Huskies and now have to fly across the country to take on a gassed Stanford team. The Deacons' offense has been a pleasant surprise thus far, and they draw a soft matchup on Saturday.
It starts with the quarterback position, as Hank Bachmeier has put forth a decent season thus far. In what feels like his 15th season in college football, Bachmeier has thrown eight touchdown passes and five INTs, completing 62% of his passes.
The turnovers are always a given with Bachmeier, hence why he's bounced around to numerous programs over the years. He's also chipped in a couple of touchdowns through the ground.
However, most of their offense's success is their rushing attack. The Deacons only run the ball at a 49% clip, but they rank 22nd nationally in Rush Success Rate.
It starts with the offensive line, and they've been a formidable group through seven games. They rank 34th in Havoc Allowed and 57th in line yards.
They should have their way with a Stanford defense that has been miserable thus far, and the Cardinal have struggled to create Havoc of their own. The Deacons are mediocre in Finishing and Quality Drives, but the Trees on defense are a turnstile for their opposition.
It's a polar opposite offensive approach for both teams, considering the Deacons are 14th in the nation in seconds per play. Bachmeier has shown flashes that he has some good football left in the tank, and he draws a great matchup against a depleted Stanford secondary.
Offensively, I expect the Deacons to score at will and should rebound after a bit of a struggle last week in that department. Shield your eyes now because their defensive metrics are a sight to behold.
The Deacons' defensive unit ranks outside the top 120 nationally in almost every defensive metric besides PFF Tackling (21st). Here are the categories that they've been a disaster:
- Rush Success and Pass Success Rate Allowed
- Havoc
- Finishing and Quality Drives
- PFF Coverage
Granted, the Cardinal offense is not the scariest matchup, but these metrics are highly concerning. Their schedule has been challenging, but these are some eye-opening metrics that everyone needs to be aware of.
I do not think Stanford has the offensive ability to keep up with the Deacons, but it worries me that they've been so poor on this side of the ball. Considering the cross-country travel, it's also not the most excellent spot to back the Deacons.
I am staying away from the point spread due to their defensive questions, but I think the offense has a shot to score at will.
Stanford Cardinal Betting Preview: Defense in for Long Day
Head coach Troy Taylor took over the Stanford program to bring them back to a respectable national level. Things were turning around when they pulled off a road win at Syracuse earlier in the season, but it has been downhill since.
Stanford has lost four straight since the Syracuse game, and they were put in the woodshed last week at home against SMU 40-10. The offense can't get out of its way, but there is a window of opportunity to gain confidence against the Deacons.
Quarterback Ashton Daniels has thrown more INTs (six) than TD passes (five) and is completing 54% of his passes. He's been excellent on the ground, indeed his bread and butter.
Stanford ranks outside the top 100 nationally in many offensive metrics, including Line Yards and Rush Success Rate. The good news is that the Cardinal are facing a garbage Deacons defense, so there is a way for them to figure some things out on offense.
I want to flashback to their home game against Virginia Tech earlier in the month, as the final score was highly misleading. The Cardinal had numerous opportunities to score against the Hokies, but they either turned the ball over, missed Field Goals, or were stopped on 4th down.
This does not mean all of that much, considering their overall body of work, but from what I saw in that game, it tells me that the offense can consistently move the ball into opposing territory. I am avoiding looking at their offensive performances against Notre Dame or SMU, considering both of those teams are projected to make the CFP as of today.
The offense likes to take its time, and it runs the ball 56% of the time. If Daniels can consistently protect the ball and move the chains with his legs, there is an absolute path to scoring some points, given the matchup.
I will only waste a little time discussing the defense because they've been trounced during the losing streak. The Deacon's offense is a tough matchup, mainly because of their successful rushing attack.
They rank 67th in PFF Tackling and 50th in Defensive Line Yards, but they've let their opponents establish consistent scoring drives for most of the season. The defense has been on the field far too much, and a big reason is that they are 100th in Havoc.
It will be a long day against an up-tempo Deacons offense, which means the defensive unit will have extra possessions. There are far too many question marks on both sides of the ball to back Stanford here, but the offense has a legitimate chance to take advantage of a soft matchup.
Wake Forest vs Stanford Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Wake Forest and Stanford match up statistically:
Wake Forest Offense vs. Stanford Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 22 | 84 | |
| Line Yards | 57 | 50 | |
| Pass Success | 66 | 117 | |
| Havoc | 34 | 100 | |
| Finishing Drives | 74 | 121 | |
| Quality Drives | 80 | 112 | |
Stanford Offense vs. Wake Forest Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 101 | 120 | |
| Line Yards | 120 | 118 |  |
| Pass Success | 109 | 126 | |
| Havoc | 132 | 132 | |
| Finishing Drives | 107 | 119 | |
| Quality Drives | 98 | 125 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 21 | 67 |
| PFF Coverage | 115 | 109 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 37 | 23 |
| Middle 8 | 46 | 118 |
| Seconds per Play | 23.9 (14) | 28.7 (104) |
| Rush Rate | 49% (103) | 55% (69) |
Wake Forest vs Stanford Pick & Prediction
It's a tad scary, but the best approach to betting the game is by taking the over.
The Deacons offense should be able to run the ball effectively, and Bachmeier should bounce back after last week's performance against a horrendous Stanford secondary.
Stanford ranks 115th nationally in PFF coverage, so there should be opportunities for Bachmeier to take advantage.
The big question is whether or not the Stanford offense can do its part, but I believe the matchup is soft enough that the Cardinal can put points on the scoreboard.
Even if Daniels turns the ball over, that will give the Deacons a short field to work with their up-tempo offense.
The number sits below a critical 55, so I will snag over 54 now.
Pick: Over 54 (-110, bet365) | Play to 56 (-110)
Wake Forest vs Stanford Start Time, Channel, Streaming, How To Watch
| Location: | Stanford Stadium, Stanford, CA |
| Date: | Saturday, Oct. 26 |
| Kickoff Time: | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | ACC Network |
Wake Forest vs Stanford will be played at Stanford Stadium in Stanford, California, on Saturday, Oct. 26 at 3:30 p.m. ET. You can stream the game live on ACC Network.
