Kennesaw St. Owls vs
Wake Forest Demon DeaconsPredictions & Preview

New Coaches and Transfers Set Tone for Wake Forest vs Kennesaw State Showdown in 2025

Week 1 of college football season is in full swing as Kennesaw State faces off against Wake Forest in a highly anticipated matchup. Kennesaw State finished last season with a 2-10 record, while Wake Forest ended with a 4-8 record. This game marks the first meeting between the two teams as FBS opponents. Stay tuned for our prediction on this exciting Friday night clash.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Owls +630 | Demon Deacons -1000
• Spread: Owls +17.5 (-110) | Demon Deacons -17.5 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 51 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Wake Forest will win straight-up is 91%.

Kennesaw St. Owls

Kennesaw State had a challenging season in their transition to the FBS level, with multiple transfers and a change in coaching staff. Jerry Mack, with a successful coaching record at North Carolina Central, now leads the program. The team struggled offensively last season, ranking low in passing, rushing, and scoring offense. With many new faces on the team, Dexter Williams II is expected to be the starting quarterback, supported by Amari Odom and Tommy Ulatowski. Coleman Bennett is expected to lead the running game, with Chase Belcher and Alexander Diggs also contributing. Tykeem Wallace, Gabriel Banyard, and Christian Moss provide experience in the receiving corps. Britton Williams takes over the kicking duties. Expectations are high for the team to improve in the upcoming season.

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Dave Clawson has retired after a 4-8 campaign, leaving Wake Forest with a 67-69 record and an ACC Coach of the Year award in 2021. Jake Dickert, previously with Washington State, is now the head coach, hoping to bring more firepower to the offense. The team will see significant changes with many new transfers on both the offensive and defensive depth charts. Last season, Wake Forest ranked 49th in passing offense and 97th in rushing offense nationally. Robby Ashford has been named the starting quarterback, with Demond Claiborne leading the ground game. The team's top returning receivers include Claiborne and Micah Mays Jr. Experienced options have also been added to the passing game. Matthew Dennis will continue handling kicking duties after a successful season last year.

New Coaches and Transfers Set Tone for Wake Forest vs Kennesaw State Showdown in 2025

Both teams share similarities at the start of the 2025 campaign with new coaches and numerous transfers in key positions. Wake Forest, accustomed to the challenges of the FBS level, is poised to excel with their experienced players who can seamlessly adapt to the offensive strategy under Dickert. On the other hand, Kennesaw State, entering only their second season at this level, is expected to show improvement but has significant room for growth to become competitive. Considering these factors, it is recommended to place your bet on Wake Forest for this match, as they are likely to secure a victory in Dickert’s inaugural game as head coach.

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