Stanford vs Wake Forest Prediction 10/3/2026 Today’s College Football Picks

In this article we will formulate a Stanford vs Wake Forest prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, October 3rd at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this Week 5 matchup. 

Stanford Cardinal Betting Preview

The Stanford Cardinal are 2-2 (1-2) this season after they defeated Georgia Tech by a score of 34-27 in their last game. Stanford trailed 20-10 at halftime, but they scored the first 24 points in the second half for the comeback win. The Cardinal out gained GT by a total of 482-431, went 5-14 on third downs, and won the turnover battle by a total of 2-0 in the game. Davis Warren threw for 396 yards and three touchdowns, while Caden High caught four passes for 121 yards and two scores. Micah Ford rushed 19 times for 55 yards and one touchdown in the game. 

Prior to that win, Stanford lost to Duke by a score of 35-7 and Miami by a score of 45-6. The Cardinal have scored 21.0 points per game with 272.8 passing yards and 98.8 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 33.5 points against per game this season. Davis Warren threw for 1,071 yards with five touchdowns and zero interceptions, while Micah Ford has 257 rushing yards and four scores on 66 carries this season. 

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Betting Preview

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons are 3-1 (1-1) this year after they defeated Louisville by a score of 30-27 in their last game. Wake Forest led 24-21 at halftime, but needed a field goal with about six minutes left to escape with the win. The Demon Deacons out gained Louisville by a total of 402-399, went 2-10 on third downs, and tied the turnover battle at one in the game. Gio Lopez threw for 225 yards and one touchdown, while Carlos Hernandez caught nine passes for 194 yards and one score. Ty Clark III rushed 21 times for 91 yards and two touchdowns in the game. 

Prior to that win, Wake Forest lost to Miami by a score of 33-20, but did beat Purdue by a score of 38-36 before that. The Demon Deacons have scored 31.5 points per game with 279.5 passing yards and 147.0 rushing yards per game, while they have allowed 28.0 points against per game this season. Gio Lopez has thrown for 1,112 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception, while Carlos Hernandez has 30 receptions for 516 yards and three scores this year.

Why the Wake Forest Demon Deacons will win

• Stanford has lost each of its last nine road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Wake Forest has won each of its last seven October games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Stanford has failed to cover the spread in seven of its last eight games as a road underdog.
• Wake Forest has covered the spread in each of its last five October home games against non-AP-ranked teams.
• Stanford has lost the first half in six of its last seven road games against non-AP-ranked teams.

Why the Stanford Cardinal will win

• Wake Forest has lost nine of its last 11 games against conference opponents at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium.
• The road team has won each of Wake Forest’s last three games.
• Stanford has covered the spread in four of its last five games against non-AP-ranked teams.

Total Points Facts

• Each of Wake Forest’s last five games as a favorite have gone OVER the total points line.
• Each of Stanford’s last four October games as an underdog against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 5, Carlos Hernandez ranks 5th amongst FBS players for receiving yards (516) this season.

Stanford Cardinal Player Prop Facts

• Heading into Week 5, Chris Davis Jr. ranks 2nd in the Atlantic Coast Conference for kick return yards (225) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• Wake Forest ranks T125th among FBS teams for red zone percentage against this season (94.4).
• Wake Forest ranks T124th among FBS teams for passing yards allowed per game this season (257.3).
• Stanford ranks 131st among FBS teams for 1st downs against this season (93).
• Stanford ranks 130th among FBS teams for yards allowed per game this season (443.8).

Stanford vs Wake Forest Prediction 

Wake Forest comes into this matchup after picking up a huge win over Louisville last week and they have scored 30+ points in three of their four games. The Demon Deacons are getting great QB play from Lopez, which has covered up their bad defense. Stanford upset Georgia Tech in their last game, but they have allowed 27, 35, 45, and 27 points through four games. I don’t trust the Cardinal at all in this spot and I like Wake to cover at home.

David Racey's Pick: Wake Forest -14