Miami Hurricanes to test Wake Forest in high-stakes ACC clash

The fifth-ranked Miami Hurricanes return to Atlantic Coast Conference play on Friday night, taking on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Financial Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time, marking a significant early-season test for both programmes as they seek to establish momentum in the 2026 campaign.

Miami enters the matchup with a 2-0 record, having dismantled Florida A&M 77-7 in their previous contest. The Hurricanes, who finished as national runners-up in 2025 with a 13-3 record, currently boast the 11th-ranked defence in NCAA Division I. Their defensive unit has allowed just 203 total yards and an average of 6.5 points per game, with junior defensive lineman Marquise Lightfoot leading the group with 11 total tackles.

Wake Forest also arrives unbeaten, having secured a 38-36 victory over Purdue in double overtime. The Demon Deacons, who finished 9-4 last season, rely on junior quarterback Gio Lopez, who led the team in both passing and rushing yards during their win against the Boilermakers. While Wake Forest struggled at times in that contest, their resilience in extra time highlights their capacity to compete in high-pressure environments.

The historical dynamic heavily favours the visitors, with Miami winning the last eight meetings between the two sides. Wake Forest’s last victory over the Hurricanes dates back to 1944, a streak that underscores the dominance Miami has maintained in this rivalry over the modern era.

Betting markets reflect the disparity in talent, listing Miami as 20.5-point favourites with the over/under set at 55.5 points. According to CBS Sports, SportsLine’s projection model, which simulates games 10,000 times, predicts the Under will hit, projecting a combined total of 47 points. The model notes that the Under has hit in three of the past four head-to-head meetings, including Miami’s 42-14 win in 2024.

The SportsLine model, which has recorded a 33-21 run on top-rated college football money-line picks since the 2024 season, has been upgraded for the 2026 season to better account for the transfer portal. Its simulation suggests a low-scoring affair, with the Under hitting in 66% of the projected outcomes.