With a terribly inexperienced offensive line, a thin receiving corps and an undersized defense, it is difficult to see how Wake Forest will make a serious run at a fifth bowl in seven years. But this is a Jim Grobe team, so assume they’ll do it anyway.
Wake Forest hired then-Ohio coach Jim Grobe following the 2000 season, the Demon Deacons had been to just three bowls since 1950. Wake had won three or fewer games in a season nine times in 12 years. Bill Dooley had taken the Demon Deacons to the Independence Bowl (and a No. 25 ranking) in 1992, and Jim Caldwell had gone 7-5 with an Aloha Classic win in 1999. But in the other 10 seasons between 1989 and 2000, the Deacs had gone just 27-82-2.
In the 11 years since Wake Forest hired Grobe, the Demon Deacons have gone 68-67 with five bowl appearances and an ACC title in 2006. After two tough seasons in 2009-10 (combined record: 8-16), Wake returned to a bowl in 2011, riding an upset of Florida State to six wins and the Music City Bowl.