Breaking Down the 2008 Schedule

My first thoughts are that this schedule works out very well for the Deacs. Although the bye weeks are both early in the season they still come at pretty important times before a couple of the toughest games.

Obviously there will be some rough stretches in this schedule, but I don't think the schedule could ever be expected to work out absolutely perfectly. This one is pretty good.

Starting at Baylor will allow Wake some early road experience before the tough one at FSU, against a team that has the potential to win a few games this season. I'd much rather get experience against a D-1 team, and even a BCS conference team in this case, than against most of the 1-AA opponents people play.

Coming home for Ole Miss the next week should be an equally good experience. Another sub-par BCS conference opponent, but this time for the home opener and a very exciting day for Wake fans. I imagine the crowd will be great for this one based on the excitement for a new season and the opening of Deacon Tower. Should be a fun one and it should put us at 2-0.

Wake then has a bye week before going to Tallahassee to play Florida State. Although FSU is never an easy opponent and can be particularly tough at home, this game will be the last week of their suspensions and hopefully FSU will still be struggling to get their feet under them. Wake's had FSU's number recently and I expect that streak to continue on September 20 as the Deacs to go 3-0 and 1-0 in conference.

Last season Wake took care of business up in Annapolis, and this season the Midshipmen come to us without coach Paul Johnson. Navy is always talented and disciplined, but they should be no match for the Deacs at home.

Although having the 2nd bye week after the Navy game is a bit frustrating since there won't be any more rest, having it before the biggest game of the season (which is on a Thursday night) is definitely advantageous. The FSU game last season proved how great an environment Wake provides on a Thursday night, and I expect the atmosphere to carry Wake against Clemson on October 9th. Clemson will also be coming off of a bye week and will have already played a few tough games against Alabama, NC State, and Maryland so they will definitely be ready. It should be a great night, and quite possibly the defining game of the season.

October will prove to be a pretty big month for Wake, with back to back road games after the Thursday night home game. First Wake will travel to Maryland, a team that always causes problems. It's never easy to win at Maryland, and they will be coming off of a bye so they'll definitely be prepared.

Wake then plays at Miami, a team coming off of a rough season and hoping to bounce back. At this point in the season Miami may very well have proved to be a contender again and in that case this game worries me more than any other. If Miami starts the season poorly then they may be ready to throw in the towel at this point, but if not Wake will have its hands full with this one.

Wake will start November at home with Duke. By November I expect Duke to be almost ready to give up and hope this game will be over almost before it starts. It would be nice to have the opportunity to rest the starters a bit going into the home stretch.

The next week Wake will be home for Virginia. I don't expect Virginia to have a great team in 2008, but they always manage to play Wake close and I won't be taking this one for granted. Virginia will be coming off of a home game with Miami, and if they grab a big win in that one they'll have some momentum heading down to Winston-Salem.

I don't expect NC State being a particularly tough opponent in 2008, but a road game at Carter-Finley requires work to get a win. The Pack will be well rested after a game at Duke the week before, but they may also be looking forward to UNC the next week. I fully anticipate a win, but it won't come easily.

Wake finishes off the ACC schedule at home for Boston College. I don't know what to make of BC in 2008. They definitely graduated lots of talent and I don't expect them to be one of the most powerful teams in the conference, but I think they could prove to be a bit of a wild card and I don't want to chalk this one up as an easy win just yet. If Wake is still undefeated in conference heading into this game then I don't expect them to let it slip away against BC, but if the Deacs sit at 6-1 or 5-2 and are fighting to make it to Tampa then this might turn into a pretty interesting game.

Finally Wake finishes with Vandy at home on Thanksgiving weekend. The supposed rivalry game or whatever people want to call it (not that I'm opposed to the rivalry, I just don't see it developing). Hopefully we'll already be making plans for Tampa, but another win never hurt anybody. Hopefully it will be a win to close out an undefeated season at BB&T.

The great thing about February is that right now Tampa sounds likely for the ACC championship game followed by a trip to Miami for either the Orange Bowl or National Championship Game. Amazingly, that might not be so far fetched this season.

Is it August yet?