North Carolina vs. Wake Forest: Prediction and preview

North Carolina vs. Wake Forest is shaping up to be a matchup with major postseason implications.

The Tar Heels enter this game with an 8-1 record and hopes of winning the ACC Championship. With a win at Wake Forest on Saturday, they would clinch their first ACC Coastal title since 2015.

Wake Forest is trying to snap a 2-game losing streak that has included 11 total turnovers. Many of those have come from quarterback Sam Hartman, who has struggled in recent weeks.

North Carolina vs. Wake Forest preview

Wake Forest seemed to be headed for its second consecutive 10+ win season, which would have been only its third in program history. But turnovers have plagued the Demon Deacons in back-to-back losses to Louisville and NC State.

Now, Hartman and Wake Forest are trying to get back on track vs. a team it has not beaten since 2019. Dave Clawson has just one win against the Tar Heels during his tenure. If Wake Forest is going to get back to 10 wins this season, it can not afford another loss.

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North Carolina seems to be peaking at the right moment for a potential ACC title run. The Tar Heels are 8-1 and are 5-0 in road games. Their defense, much-maligned for most of this season, has given up fewer than 30 points in four of their last five games.

That defense will be put to the test against Wake Forest on Saturday. When Wake doesn’t turn the ball over, it has an excellent offense. Even with its struggles in the last couple weeks, Wake Forest ranks sixth in the ACC with 5.84 yards per play. Contrast that with North Carolina’s defense, which is allowing an ACC-worst 6.18 yards per play.

On the other side of the ball, Drake Maye is the headliner. Maye has broken numerous records so far in his freshman campaign and is firmly in the mix to be a Heisman Trophy finalist if he and the Tar Heels finish strong.

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Wake Forest’s passing defense has been vulnerable this season. The Demon Deacons rank 11th in the ACC in passer efficiency rating allowed at 135.22. It’s worth noting that Wake Forest hasn’t yet faced the most efficient passing offense in the ACC, which is North Carolina by a wide margin.

North Carolina vs. Wake Forest prediction

Wake Forest is due for some turnover regression, but it’s almost impossible to pick against Drake Maye right now. He’s been too efficient through the air and too effective on the ground, even away from home.

Prediction: North Carolina 38, Wake Forest 34