Miami at Wake Forest - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Miami Hurricanes at Wake Forest Demon Deacons

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Friday, September 18th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
BB&T Field - Winston-Salem, NC  (ACC)

 
Hurricanes (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Mario Cristobal (35 - 19)
Avg Score : 31 - 15 (26 - 15 on Road)
Record Prediction: 10.8 - 1.2 (#5)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 1) (Good: 4) (Avg: 1) (Bad: 5)
Our Line: Miami -16  (SP+ MIAMI -17.5)
Projected Score: MIAMI: 31 - WAKE: 15 (46)
MIAMI Win prob: 88% | Cover: 54%
MIAMI Travel: 703 miles
Demon Deacons (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Jake Dickert (9 - 4)
Avg Score : 28 - 22 (28 - 17 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 6.7 - 5.3 (#60)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 4) (Avg: 2) (Bad: 3)
 
Miami's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 9/4Miami at Stanford-23
Thu 9/10Miami vs Florida A&M-35
Fri 9/18Miami at Wake Forest-16
Sat 9/26Miami vs Central Michigan-30
Sat 10/3Miami at Clemson-9.5
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/17Miami vs Florida State-17
Sat 10/24Miami vs Pittsburgh-17
Sat 10/31Miami at North Carolina-18
Sat 11/7Miami at Notre Dame+7
Sat 11/14Miami vs Duke-20.5
Fri 11/20Miami vs Virginia Tech-17.5
Sat 11/28Miami vs Boston College-28.5

Total: Elite: 1, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 5, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 1, Good: 4, Avg 1, Bad 5, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Miami's Schedule
Wake Forest's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Thu 9/3Wake Forest vs Akron-22
Sat 9/12Wake Forest at Purdue-5
Fri 9/18Wake Forest vs Miami+16
Sat 9/26Wake Forest at Louisville+9.5
Sat 10/3Wake Forest vs Stanford-9.5
Sat 10/10Wake Forest at NC State+4
Sat 10/17Wake Forest at California+3
— Bye Week —
Sat 10/31Wake Forest vs Virginia+0
Sat 11/7Wake Forest vs Merrimack-27.5
Sat 11/14Wake Forest at SMU+11.5
Sat 11/21Wake Forest at Georgia Tech+2
Sat 11/28Wake Forest vs Duke-2

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg 2, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Wake Forest's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MIAMI#35 (.22)46% (23)30.945% (58)3.13 (35)14549% (10)2394.36 (24)#14 (.05)37% (15)14.836% (10)38% (28)2.51 (5)53.50.91.6
WAKE#82 (.15)38% (112)28.140% (100)2.79 (101)15637% (115)2383.23 (113)#6 (.03)35% (8)22.137% (12)33% (7)3.24 (31)69.51.61.2
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
MIAMI0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
WAKE0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MIAMI Offense1630.92646.4%4.360.9213841452394.350%48%45%49%12%.22
WAKE Defense1322.117.335.1%3.241.2 - - - - - 47%51%37%33%18%.03
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
MIAMI Defense1614.81536.6%2.511.6 - - - - - 43%55%36%38%19%.05
WAKE Offense1328.128.338.4%3.231.6193941562384.550%49%40%37%16%.15

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Miami1631:3520.948%67%6.653.50.91.662.9330.2
Wake Forest1329:041940%55%7.469.51.61.27.42.3330.7
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MIAMI Offense1650% (62)45% (58)33.9144.94.326 (40).09 (76)3.13 (35)83% (4)6% (4)0.8 (128)
WAKE Defense1347% (34)37% (12) - - - - -.02 (10)2.49 (9)64% (22)12% (11)0.88 (27)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
MIAMI Defense1643% (4)36% (10) - - - - .01 (16)2.58 (14)73% (80)12% (15)1.01 (94)
WAKE Offense1350% (61)40% (100)34.8156.24.523 (49).11 (67)2.79 (101)79% (21)9% (71)1.12 (11)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MIAMI Offense1648% (79)49% (10)2129238.78.211.431 (61)11 (108).43 (13)1.5 (88)26% (8)32% (44).37 (42)6% (65)2.1 (59)
WAKE Defense1351% (102)33% (7) - - - - - - 4 (100).1 (12)1.5 (56)36% (10)25% (13).13 (13)6% (62)2 (60)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
MIAMI Defense1655% (131)38% (28) - - - - - - 16 (55).13 (21)1.5 (29)36% (13)28% (50).21 (29)7% (15)1.9 (29)
WAKE Offense1349% (73)37% (115)17.831.2237.77.613.318 (106)11 (34).25 (69)1.7 (12)33% (93)28% (95).33 (60)6% (78)2.3 (8)

Miami's Power Ratings
Miami's Power Rating: 24.11  #7
Miami's Offense Rating: 27.01  #7
Miami's Defense Rating: 2.90  #8
2026 Talent Rating: 1053.00  #8
Blue Chip Ratio: 65%  #7
Miami's 2026 Expected Record: 10.8 - 1.2
Miami's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 21.0  #8
Miami's Offense SP+ Rating: 34.4  #12
Miami's Defense SP+ Rating: 13.7  #7

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 848.71
Average Power Five Talent: 872.28
Average FBS Talent: 677.28

Power Ratings Matchup
Miami: 24.11   Wake Forest: 6.59

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Miami: 21.0   Wake Forest: 3.6




Wake Forest's Power Ratings
Wake Forest's Power Rating: 6.59  #45
Wake Forest's Offense Rating: 16.60  #56
Wake Forest's Defense Rating: 12.01  #37
2026 Talent Rating: 845.00  #35
Blue Chip Ratio: 1  #83
Wake Forest's 2026 Expected Record: 6.7 - 5.3
Wake Forest's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 3.6  #58
Wake Forest's Offense SP+ Rating: 24.2  #83
Wake Forest's Defense SP+ Rating: 20.7  #31

Average Talent
Average ACC Talent Rating is 848.71
Average Power Five Talent: 872.28
Average FBS Talent: 677.28


Miami Scoring
Offense: 30.9 PPG
Offense on Road: 26
Defense: 14.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 15

Miami's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Miami 31
Wake Forest 15


Projected Total Points: 46
Wake Forest Scoring
Offense: 28.1 PPG
Offense at Home: 28.3
Defense: 22.1 PPG
Defense at Home: 17.3

Wake Forest's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202411/23Miami42Wake Forest14Miami -23.5Miami67.0Under
201310/26Miami24Wake Forest21Miami -22Wake Forest0
200910/31Wake Forest27Miami28
200810/25Miami16Wake Forest10
200511/12Wake Forest17Miami47
200411/20Miami52Wake Forest7
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Wake Forest010 Overs
Miami611 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams4 - 21 - 11 - 10 - 0
Road Teams2 - 41 - 10 - 01 - 1

(#7) MIAMI at (#45) WAKE
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatMIAMIWAKE
Game ControlGC #7 #21
Momentum ControlMC #16 #42
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #7 #45
SP+SP+ #8 #58
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #8 #35
Blue ChipsBC% #7 #83
Miami Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Highest, CFP run, QB Mensah + talent
(2/7) Has never won ACC since joining in 2004
(1/29) OL experience is #120 in CFB, near last in P4
(1/28) QB Mensah, WR Toney, Barkate w great depth
(1/28) RB Fletcher a beast, depth w Pringle + Brown
(1/28) OL biggest ? esp at OT. Have talent but unproven
(1/28) DL front line dominant again, depth will develop
(1/28) CBs are both back, LB has ? beyond Toure
Miami Injury Report
Wake Forest Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Great, Dickert a home run hire & 1st year
(2/4) QB Lopez was G5 electric, but meh at NC in '25
(2/4) RB has pieces but rotation from 2 portals, depth
(2/4) WR 6 portals, 4 have good exp, should be solid
(2/4) OL is counting on G5 risers, but good exp & prod
(2/4) DL solid unit w exp, production & depth.
(2/4) LB another solid unit w exp, prod & depth
(2/4) CBs have significant ?, S real solid with depth
(2/4) Good staff, good looking Def. Can Lopez find it?
Wake Forest Injury Report
Miami on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
MIAMI OffWAKE Def
Game ControlGC #6 #20
Momentum ControlMC #51 #40
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #23 #8
ExplosiveExp #126 #43
PPAPPA #35 #6
PowerPwr #7 #37
SP+SP+ #12 #31
Pts POPPO #24 #31
HavocHav #13 #21
Miami Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
MIAMI OffWAKE Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #58 #12
Run ExplRExp #128 #27
PPAExp #76 #10
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #35 #9
Stuff RateStuff #16 #4
TackleTak - NR
Miami Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 49%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
MIAMI OffWAKE Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #10 #7
Pass ExplPExl #88 #56
PPAExp #13 #12
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #4 #11
DB HavocDB #65 #62
Wake Forest on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatWAKE OffMIAMI Def
Game ControlGC #20 #11
Momentum ControlMC #42 #8
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #112 #15
ExplosiveExp #5 #81
PPAPPA #82 #14
PowerPwr #56 #8
SP+SP+ #83 #7
Pts POPPO #113 #5
HavocHav #70 #13
Wake Forest Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCat
WAKE OffMIAMI Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #100 #10
Run ExplRExp #11 #94
PPAExp #67 #16
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #101 #14
Stuff RateStuff #62 #49
TackleTak - NR
Wake Forest Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 48%, Run: 50%
CategoryCatWAKE OffMIAMI Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #115 #28
Pass ExplPExl #12 #29
PPAExp #69 #21
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #71 #15
DB HavocDB #78 #15
Program Comparison
WAKE 5 Year Profile: Consistent Top G5
'26 Profile: Up to Below Avg P4

MIAMI 5 Year Profile: Consistent CFP Hopefuls
'26 Profile: Up to Title Contenders

Weather Forecast
Playing in BB&T Field
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Miami beat Wake Forest in 2024 (42-14)

  
MIAMI's OC Shannon Dawson (been OC for 3 years)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Darian Mensah (Tr)33450067%39733467.9
Malachi Toney4757%822011.7
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Mark Fletcher Jr.2161192125.557
CharMar Brown12246073.813
Girard Pringle Jr.6237546.038
Malachi Toney2311314.913
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Malachi Toney10912111011.161
Cooper Barkate (Tr)721106715.477
Vandrevious Jacobs32548417.174
Cam Vaughn (Tr)35540415.446

View Miami's Full Roster

MIAMI's DC Corey Hetherman (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mohamed Toure843216
Omar Thornton (Tr)828211
Zechariah Poyser683115
Xavier Lucas452118
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Damon Wilson Jr.2299132
Ahmad Moten319540
Marquise Lightfoot256361
Armondo Blount173361
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Xavier Lucas452118
OJ Frederique Jr.190007
Mohamed Toure843216

WAKE's OC Rob Ezell (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Giovanni Lopez17026165%17471056.7
Wondame Davis Jr. (Tr)010%0000.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Sawyer Seidl (Tr)188897134.841
Ty Clark III7532334.315
Giovanni Lopez8613331.517
KD Daniels (Tr)2812014.316
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Carlos Hernandez40611315.393
Wondame Davis Jr. (Tr)25604624.275
Drayden Dickmann (Tr)3732338.746
Ty Clark III17209112.362

View Wake Forest's Full Roster

WAKE's DC Scottie Hazelton (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Davaughn Patterson804049
Aiden Hall738023
Langston Hardy6515790
Frank Cusano452121
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Langston Hardy6515790
Gabe Kirschke379540
Dallas Afalava336481
Bernard Causey III (Tr)192106
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Davaughn Patterson804049
Bernard Causey III (Tr)192106
Brian Blades260005