Wake Forest (5-7, 3-5 ACC)
Strengths: Junior running back Chris Barclay is the real deal. He rushed for 1,192 yards last season, which was the second most in school history, and ran for 243 yards and three touchdowns against Maryland during a 41-28 loss. With its misdirection offense, Wake Forest will be able to get Barclay the ball in a variety of ways.
Weaknesses: The Demon Deacons return eight starters on defense, but they're not particularly athletic. On offense, center Blake Lingruen is one of the best linemen in the conference, but the rest of the players up front are very inexperienced.
Key game: at North Carolina State, Oct. 2. Wake Forest upset the Wolfpack last season, which was the high point in a rebuilding season.
Extra point: Junior punter Ryan Plackemeir was a first-team All-ACC selection last year with a 45.6 average, and he also handled field-goal duties, making five of seven and all 16 PATs after coach Jim Grobe asked him to step in at midseason.
2004 schedule
9-4 at Clemson 3:30
9-11 at East Carolina 7
9-18 North Carolina A&T 6:30
9-25 Boston College TBA
10-2 at N.C. State TBA
10-9 Virginia Tech TBA
10-23 Florida State TBA
10-30 Duke TBA
11-13 North Carolina TBA
11-20 at Miami TBA
11-27 at Maryland TBA
