CSNbbs

In what could be the oddest turn in recent college football history, Wake Forest has gotten the reputation as the ACC's dirtiest team. That's what Florida State defensive end Alonzo Jackson called the Demon Deacons during the summer, and other coaches and players have howled this season at Wake's reputation for illegal chop blocks, in which two offensive linemen combine to hit a defensive player high and low.

North Carolina coach John Bunting went off this week on the Deacons' blocking of the Tar Heels in a 31-0 loss last weekend, a game in which Wake got three 15-yard penalties for illegal blocks. Why? "Because it's f------ dangerous!" Bunting said.

Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe denies that his team does anything illegal, though he admits that it does use various techniques that help the Deacons with their run-heavy offense.

"We are a running team," Grobe said. "We block low. You are allowed to block low. It really upsets me if anybody suggests we chop-block somebody. We are not going to do anything against the rules. We never teach our kids not to play within the rules."

But Jackson's assertion should make this weekend's game between the Seminoles and Demon Deacons entertaining. But since the game is at Wake Forest, it could be the Deacons' best chance to knock off the faltering Seminoles.

Stranger things have happened, such as the ACC's most Baptist school being accused of being its dirtiest.

I can tell you that after our game with them I don't believe they had many, if any, illegal blocks. The block that knocked Hickenbottom (our FS) out for the year was legal, but looked bad cause the guy dove at his knee downfield, but this is not an unusual block. There was a block in overtime on our LB that knocked him out for the game (only one more play at that point!) that was nasty, but that was all I recall.

The FSU players (and UNC) just doesn't like getting knocked down and be kept from running all over the field.

I should have added, that I wasn't trying to suggest that OU or any Grobe team blocks illeagally. I just found it funny that the accusations follow Grobe around, usually from teams that think they should beat his teams easily.

Grobe's a fine coach IMO.

What impressed me the most about Wake was their depth at RB - their top guy (T. Williams, preseason All-ACC) was out, but they had about 4 other TBs and a huge FB. All were talented and all, including a WR or two, contributed. They're a good team, and 10.5 points is FAR too much for FSU to be favored by this weekend....I mean, are the FSU WRs going to decide to catch the balls for McPherson that they couldn't hold on to from Rix?

I do believe that FSU will win handily, because they still have better athletes. Wake won't hit as hard as ND, and they won't cover the receivers as well so FSU will perform better.

Remember FSU beat up Clemson, and Clemson edged by Wake.

This match up favors FSU...for now.