Louisville at Wake Forest: 10/2/21 College Football Picks and Prediction

Defensively, Louisville is allowing their opponents to average 26.0 ppg on 418.3 total yards per game (245.5 passing yds/g; 172.8 rushing yds/g).

The 24th ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons improved to 4-0 on the season after defeating the Virginia Cavaliers, 37-17, this past Friday. Wake Forest did an outstanding job on the road shutting down the high-powered Virginia offense and had no trouble securing the victory after a 12-yard TD reception by A.T. Perry gave the Demon Deacons a 34-17 lead with 1:42 left in the 3rd quarter. Wake Forest was outgained by Virginia by a 506-473 margin, however, did win the turnover battle by a 2-0 margin in the victory. Leading the way for Demon Deacons was QB Sam Hartman who completed 17 of 29 passes for 270 yards & 3 TD’s.

On the season, Wake Forest is averaging 38.8 ppg on 430.5 total yards per game (242.3 passing yds/g; 188.3 rushing yds/g). Offensively, Wake Forest has been led by QB Sam Hartman who has completed 66.1% of his passes for 961 yards, 9 TD, & 1 INT. The top receiving threats for Hartman and the Demon Deacons have been A.T. Perry (17 rec, 292 yards, 3 TD), Jaquarii Roberson (16 rec, 245 yards, 2 TD), Taylor Morin (13 rec, 130 yards, TD), & Ke’Shawn Williams (9 rec, 102 yards, TD). Leading the way for the Wake Forest backfield has been the trio of Christian Beal-Smith (55 att, 276 yards, 4 TD), Justice Ellison (35 att, 175 yards, 2 TD), & Christian Turner (44 att, 174 yards, 2 TD).

Defensively, Wake Forest is holding their opponents to an average of 14.3 ppg on 357.8 total yards per game (238.8 passing yds/g; 119.0 rushing yds/g).

The Cardinals are 7-3 ATS in their last 10 games on fieldturf, however, are just 5-13-1 ATS in their last 19 road games. The Demon Deacons are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 October games and 8-3 ATS in their last 11 home games.

Louisville has been able to reel off three straight victories after their lack-luster opener against Ole Miss, however, I’m still no sold on the Cardinals as this is a defense that is giving up a bunch of points. Wake Forest has been lights out on both sides of the ball this season ranking 20th in scoring offense & 8th in scoring defense. Louisville offense has a great weapon in Malik Cunningham, however, he is really the only impact weapon on the offensive end for the Cardinals and between the fact that Wake Forest is at home and that their defense will give Cunningham some trouble, I think Wake Forest does enough to win this one by more than a TD and covers this spread. Good Luck!