Utah State at Wake Forest 8/30/19 - College Football Picks & Predictions

On Friday, August 30, the Utah State Aggies visit BB&T Field in Winston-Salem, North Carolina to play the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in the opening game of the 2019 college football regular season.

Jordan Love returns at quarterback to lead the Utah State offense. The junior signal caller will lead an offense that last season on two occasions had over 700 yards in one game scored 618 points. Several starters must be replaced on the offensive line as well as the four leading receivers and the top rusher. Nevertheless, with the talented Love under center look for another potent offense in 2019. The defense improved last season from the season before and while several starters need to be replaced, the unit should be even better than in 2018.

The Wake Forest offense improved immensely in 2018 and expectations are higher for 2019. Sam Hartman returns from a broken leg to battle with Jamie Newman at quarterback. It appears at this point Newman will be the starter. Leading rusher Cade Carney returns and Sage Surratt will return as the top receiver from last season. Three starting offensive linemen from 2018 moved on, but capable replacements have been found. The defense is the weak link and allowed 33 points per game last season with no improvement in 2019 expected. Returning quarterback Jordan Love threw for 3,567 yards, 32 touchdowns and six interceptions last season for Utah State. Gerold Bright is the top returning rusher. Last season Bright rushed for 888 yards and 10 touchdowns. The top receiver returning from last season is Jordan Nathan who caught 28 passes for 297 yards and three touchdowns.

Sam Hartman led the Demon Deacons last season with 1,984 yards passing, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Returning to lead the rushing attack will be Cade Carney who rushed for 1,005 yards and eight touchdowns in 2018. The top wide receiver returning is Sage Surratt who caught 41 passes for 581 yards and four touchdowns.