DraftKings · as of July 8, 2026
Wake Forest defeated SMU 13–12 in a nail-biter. Wake Forest covered by 6.5; Game went Under by 27.5. The market closed at SMU -5.5 and the Blue Chip model made it SMU -7.3, an edge of 1.8 points toward SMU. Blue Chip Analytics had rated SMU 10.8 points stronger on a neutral field.
Connor Calvert made a 50-yard field goal on the final play to win the game, marking Wake Forest's first field goal of 50+ yards since 2014. This shows the team has a reliable deep kicker, which could be crucial in close games.
Wake Forest had minus-4 total yards through three possessions and relied on defense and special teams for early points. The offense committed multiple turnovers, but the defense forced four turnovers, keeping the game close. This inconsistency may be a concern against stronger opponents.
Deshawn Purdie started for the second straight game, throwing for 183 yards, but Robby Ashford also played and threw a touchdown pass. The team may continue to use both quarterbacks, which could affect offensive rhythm and predictability.
This was Wake Forest's second one-point home win of the season, showing they can execute under pressure. However, they also took risky fourth-down gambles, which paid off but could backfire against tougher defenses.
Wake Forest faces Florida State on the road. Given their offensive struggles and reliance on defense/special teams, they will need to improve offensive consistency to compete. The kicking game could be a key advantage in a potentially low-scoring matchup.
At kickoff, conditions at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium were Partly cloudy, 57°F with winds of 2 mph. Weather is not expected to be a meaningful factor in this game. Historical weather data for this game is preserved in the panel alongside. Weather data is sourced from WeatherAPI.com.
Partly cloudy
57°F
| Measure | SMUAway | Wake ForestHome |
|---|---|---|
| This week | 969 miles | 0 miles |
| Last week | 1,624 miles | Bye week |
| Season total | 3,383 miles | 4,784 miles |
| Body clock | 11:00 | 12:00 |
| Rest | 7 days | 14 days |
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