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There's a palpable shift in the atmosphere surrounding Wake Forest football as the Demon Deacons prepare to host Stanford on Saturday.
No longer just a feel-good narrative, Wake Forest has transformed into a legitimate contender. The team's second-half showing against Miami hinted at something brewing in Winston-Salem, and a road victory over No. 16 Louisville confirmed it, signaling to the rest of the ACC that the Demon Deacons possess real bite.
At the center of this transformation is head coach Jake Dickert. Dickert has built a reputation as one of college football's most dependable program architects, capable of stepping into any situation and elevating it almost overnight. While Wake Forest isn't yet in the national championship conversation, the fruits of Dickert's labor are becoming evident week by week.
The Demon Deacons have no intention of lingering near the ACC basement in 2026. Now, they face the challenge of performing as the favored team.
Stanford Presents a Different Kind of Test
On paper, Stanford doesn't pose the same threat as Wake Forest's recent opponents. The Cardinal have languished in the lower tiers of the Power Four, with on-field results and overall program morale often described as dismal.
However, there's a caveat: Stanford is fresh off a 34-27 win over Georgia Tech, a result that would have seemed shocking before the season began. But the caveat to that caveat is that Georgia Tech appears to be struggling mightily itself and may be among the ACC's weakest teams right now. So, the victory over the Yellow Jackets may not carry as much weight as it once seemed.
Still, Wake Forest cannot afford to overlook Stanford. The Demon Deacons should know this better than anyone after what unfolded last Saturday. Louisville was the ranked home team with loftier expectations, but none of that mattered once the game kicked off. Take a week off in an ACC that seems wide open outside of Miami at the top, and it could prove costly.
Stanford Players to Watch
Quarterback Davis Warren is likely the most familiar name for college football fans after his stint at Michigan. His time with the Wolverines wasn't particularly standout, but he's coming off his best performance at Stanford, throwing for 396 yards and three touchdowns against Georgia Tech. Caden High has become one of his top targets, hauling in three touchdown catches this season, including two against the Yellow Jackets. On defense, linebacker Tevarua Tafiti provides an experienced presence as Stanford attempts to contain a Wake Forest offense that keeps improving.
Wake Forest Should Win This Game
Stanford isn't on Wake Forest's level right now, and the confidence with which that can be stated speaks volumes about what Dickert has already accomplished. The Demon Deacons have moved from trying to prove they belong against teams like Miami and Louisville to entering a conference matchup where a loss would be somewhat surprising.
Stanford demonstrated last weekend that it can make things uncomfortable, and Wake Forest can't afford to sleepwalk through this one. But the expectations in Winston-Salem have shifted. Wake Forest should beat Stanford. Now it has to go out and do it.
Seth Dowdle is a 2024 graduate of TCU, where he earned a degree in sports broadcasting with a minor in journalism. He currently hosts a TCU-focused show on the Bleav Network and has been active in sports media since 2019, beginning with high school sports coverage in the DFW area. Seth is also the owner and editor of SethStack, his personal hub for in-depth takes on everything from college football to hockey. His past experience includes working in the broadcast department for the Cleburne Railroaders and at 88.7 KTCU, TCU's radio station. Follow sethdowdle.