Hurricanes vs. Demon Deacons: Miami Favored Heavily

The Miami Hurricanes, with a perfect 2-0 record, are set to play the Wake Forest Demon Deacons, also 2-0, in Winston-Salem, NC. This marks Miami's second Friday night game of the 2026 season.

Miami enters the matchup as a significant favorite, holding a 91.7% win expectancy and a projected point spread of approximately 22 points. ESPN is scheduled to broadcast the game.

Statistically, Miami's offense shines on third downs, converting an impressive 72% of attempts, ranking second nationally. In contrast, Wake Forest converts 46% of their third downs. Defensively, Miami allows opponents to convert 44% of third downs, while Wake Forest permits 33%.

A notable difference lies in turnover margin, where Wake Forest stands at +0.5 per game (45th nationally), while Miami is significantly lower at -2.0 (119th). However, Wake Forest is penalized heavily, averaging 82.5 penalty yards per game, compared to Miami's 50 yards.

Wake Forest recently secured a double-overtime victory against Purdue, showcasing their ability to win close contests. Their offense, led by quarterback Gio Lopez, has shown potential, while their defense has recorded multiple sacks and tackles for loss. Miami's offensive and defensive lines will face challenges against Wake Forest's aggressive defensive front.