Notre Dame Football: 10 Things You Need to Know About Wake Forest

Notre Dame heads back out on the road for the first time in over a month when they travel to Winston-Salem on Saturday night to face Wake Forest. 

The Demon Deacons have been a pleasant surprise this season, currently owning a 5-3 (4-2) record.

The two programs have never met and this game is the first in a three-game series that will bring Wake Forest to South Bend in both 2012 and 2015. 

As the Irish prepare to try and lock up a bowl bid, here's a look at 10 things to know about Jim Grobe's Demon Deacons.

The Running Game Is Below Average

The Deacons have done most of their damage through the air, often struggling to get consistent production on the ground. Only Duke has a worse rushing attack in the ACC than Wake Forest.

Despite missing two games, sophomore Josh Harris is the team's leading rusher, but is only averaging 70 yards per game and has found the end zone just twice. 

Notre Dame's run defense has been stout outside of the loss to USC, so expect Harris and Brandon Pendergrass to struggle.

Tanner Price Is Dangerous

One of the lone positives of last year's 3-9 season was the progress of true freshman quarterback Price. 

He had more interceptions than touchdowns, but showed command of the offense and the ability to threaten with his both his arm and his legs.

Price has done significantly less running this season, but his passing numbers are near the top of the ACC. 

He's thrown 14 touchdowns and six interceptions, and the southpaw from Texas had his best game of his young career in a 38-30 upset of the Florida State Seminoles.

Chris Givens Is an All-ACC Receiver

Because Wake Forest has been stuck on Internet-only and regional broadcasts this season, the name Chris Givens doesn't register on too many radars radars of college football fans. 

It should, as the junior receiver has better numbers than Sammy Watkins.

Givens doesn't have great size, hovering around six-feet tall, but he has been the most productive receiver in the ACC. 

His 117 yards per game lead the conference, and he and Watkins are the only two ACC receivers to average at least one touchdown per game.

The Offensive Line Is Experienced, but Struggling

With five senior starters, the Demon Deacons have the most veteran O-line in the country. The unit is without a true star, but guard Joe Looney is the best pro prospect.

Despite its cohesiveness, the offensive line has struggled this year, allowing 21 sacks and failing to generate many holes for the running backs. 

While not overly talented, the matchup of this unit against a suddenly very young Notre Dame defensive line will be a key factor.

The Deacons Score in the Red Zone

While Notre Dame's struggles inside the 20-yard line are well-documented, Wake Forest has capitalized in the red zone. 

They've failed to score on only three of their 35 trips.

Although they've only found the end zone 18 times, the Deacons have avoided the big mistake, ensuring they rarely come up empty when deep in the opponent's territory.

The Deacons Allow Scores in the Red Zone

While the offense has been efficient in short-field situations, the defense has really struggled to get stops when backed up. 

They've only held on four of 33 chances in the red zone, and 21 of the 29 scores allowed have been touchdowns—dead last in the ACC.

If Notre Dame is getting seven points on their red-zone trips, it could be a long night for the Deacons.

The Secondary Is Weak

What was supposed to be the strength of the Demon Deacons' defense has turned out to be a glaring weakness, as the secondary has struggled to contain quality passing attacks.

They've allowed 14 touchdowns through the air and are currently ninth in the conference in passing yards allowed. 

Free safety Josh Bush does have three interceptions, but there's nothing scary about this unit; Michael Floyd should have another strong performance.

Nikita Whitlock Anchors the 3-4 Defense

Much as Louis Nix has helped plug up the middle for Notre Dame, sophomore defensive tackle Nikita Whitlock is doing the same for Wake Forest.

The sophomore was a second-team freshman All-American in 2010, and expectations have been high for the undersized nose tackle.

His 12 tackles for losses are second in the ACC, trailing only Clemson's Andre Branch (who has played an extra game).

The 3-4 scheme has not been able to generate much pressure on quarterbacks, but Whitlock has been the key piece of a vastly improved run defense.

Field Goals Are Almost Automatic

Wake Forest's Jimmy Newman has missed only one of his 15 attempts this year; he doesn't have a strong leg, but is very accurate from short distances.

Notre Dame, meanwhile, has wasted a number of scoring chances due to missed field goals.

If the Deacons can't get in the end zone, they've virtually always been able to manage at least three points out of their sustained drives thanks to Newman. 

This Is Not Wake Forest's Biggest Game

A week after facing Notre Dame, Wake Forest will travel to Clemson with a chance to take control of the ACC Atlantic Division. 

With a win in Death Valley, the Demon Deacons would need to only beat the Maryland Terrapins at home to win the division.

Picked by almost everyone to finish last in the Atlantic, coming out of nowhere to reach their second ACC Championship Game would be a remarkable accomplishment for WF coach Jim Grobe. 

The game with the Irish means nothing to their ACC fate, so despite it being Notre Dame's first visit to Winston-Salem, this isn't necessarily the game the Deacons have to win.