Notre Dame vs. Wake Forest: Spread Info, Line, BCS Impact and Predictions

Notre Dame (5-3) looks to continue their climb into the BCS standings as they travel to ACC member Wake Forest (5-3, 4-2). The Fighting Irish come into this game after a blowout victory against Navy last week, while Wake Forest is coming in off of a terrible loss to North Carolina.

Where: Groves Stadium; Winston-Salem, NC. 

When: Saturday, Nov. 5 at 8 p.m. ET

Watch: ABC or ESPN 2 (check local listings).

Betting Line: According to Bodog.eu, it’s Notre Dame minus-13.5. Take the Irish, as they are coming off of a huge win over Navy while the Demon Deacons were crushed by the Tar Heels

Who Might Not Play For Notre Dame: DE Ethan Johnson, who missed three games with an ankle injury, may come back for this week’s game. 

Who Might Not Play for Wake Forest: CB Merrill Noel has a dislocated thumb—he played last week with it, but may be out this week.

Key Storyline

In Notre Dame’s three losses this season, two of them have come against a passing attack that has ranked in the top 30 of the NCAA. Wake Forest is ranked No. 30 in passing offense. 

BCS Implications

For Notre Dame and Wake Forest, the game does not mean a lot in terms of the BCS. However, Wake Forest still has an outside shot at winning their ACC division and playing for the conference championship.  

Notre Dame Player to Watch: QB Tommy Rees

Last week he threw his 15th touchdown pass of the season. When Tommy Rees can play turnover-free football, this Notre Dame team is extremely hard to beat. 

Wake Forest Player to Watch: QB Tanner Price

In Wake’s five victories this year, Price has had multiple touchdown passes in three of those games. Price will have to be at his elite level this week if the Deacons want a chance for the upset. 

Key Matchup: Wake Forest QB Tanner Price vs. the Notre Dame secondary

Notre Dame will be put to the test this week against the Wake Forest passing attack. They need a great performance so that they have momentum building towards their huge game against Stanford to end their season. 

Prediction: Notre Dame 38, Wake Forest 24

Follow @tjmcaloon