Week 5: Navy at Wake Forest

Three games into its season, Wake Forest looks like the best team in the ACC. The Demon Deacons have won 12 of their last 14 games dating to last season, and they enter this contest with a six-game winning streak that’s one victory shy of the school record set in 1944.

All of that is impressive — almost as impressive as Wake Forest’s victory last week. The Demon Deacons defeated Florida State for the third consecutive season, forcing seven turnovers while knocking off the Seminoles 12-3 in Tallahassee.

The challenge this week is far different. While Florida State is highly athletic and highly undisciplined — the Seminoles committed 12 penalties for 139 yards against Wake Forest — Navy is less talented but far more disciplined. The Midshipmen, who defeated Rutgers 23-21 at home last week, lead the nation in rushing (345.8 yards per game) for the fourth consecutive season.

While Navy is enjoying typical success on the ground — slot back Shun White averages 10.5 yards per carry and ranks third nationally in rushing (168.3 ypg) — Wake Forest has struggled with its running game. Tailbacks Josh Adams (3.3 yards per carry) and Brandon Pendergrass (2.3 yards per carry) have found little room to run this season, leaving quarterback Riley Skinner to shoulder the load.

Fortunately for the Demon Deacons, Skinner has been up to the challenge. The junior has completed 70.4 percent of his passes this season with five touchdowns and no interceptions. He’s a huge threat this week against a Navy team that ranks 110th in the nation in pass efficiency defense and 104th nationally in passing yards allowed (276.0 per game).

Notes/Things to Watch:

Wake Forest leads the all-time series 6-2, including victories in the last four meetings.

Navy has struggled to contain its opponents’ top receiving target in recent games against ACC competition. Wake Forest’s Kenny Moore made 15 catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns against Navy last season, and Duke’s Eron Riley torched the Midshipmen each of the last two years. That trend could bode well for Wake Forest’s D.J. Boldin, who has an ACC-best 20 receptions for 160 yards this season.

The Midshipmen rarely throws the ball (NCAA-low 34 pass attempts this season), but they make the most of their passes. Navy leads the nation in pass efficiency (175.3 rating), taking advantage of opponents determined to stop the run.

Navy’s reluctance to throw the ball could keep Wake Forest safety Kevin Patterson from adding to his NCAA-best interception total (four).

Coming off an emotional win at Florida State and with Atlantic Division rival Clemson up next, Wake Forest is set up for a letdown in this game. But coach Jim Grobe won’t let his players take anything for granted. Plus, the Demon Deacons should benefit from the fact that they played against Navy and its unconventional offense last season.

Key Player (Midshipmen) — Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, QB

Kaheaku-Enhada has been running Navy’s style of offense since he was a sophomore in high school, so he knows what he’s doing. He’ll need to make good decisions against the Demon Deacons, who thrive on opponents’ mistakes and lead the nation in turnover margin (plus 3.33 per game).

Key Player (Demon Deacons) — Josh Adams, RB

Grobe said he thought Adams ran hard last week against Florida State, even though Adams’ statistics (66 yards on 18 carries) weren’t spectacular. Wake Forest needs Adams’ perspiration to start resulting into production.

Wake Forest by 17