The No. 5 Miami Hurricanes (2-0, 1-0 ACC) and Wake Forest Demon Deacons (2-0, 0-0) square off in an ACC matchup Friday at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let's analyze college football odds around the Miami at Wake Forest odds and make our expert college football picks and predictions for the best bets.
Not at all unexpectedly, Miami (-59.5) cruised to a 77-7 (Over 65) victory against the overmatched Florida A&M Rattlers last Saturday, setting a school record for yards (856) and first downs (42) and tying the school record for points. Starting QB Darian Mensah was 14 of 15 for 252 yards and 3 TDs in the first half, while backup QB Luke Nickel was 8 of 8 for 144 yards and also
threw 3 TDs. RB Javian Mallory led Miami with 142 yards and 2 TDs on 10 carries, while Mark Fletcher Jr. rushed 7 times for 105 yards and 2 TDs. Six receivers caught TDs, with WR Malachi Toney leading the way with 4 catches for 96 yards and 1 TD. Miami held FAMU to 107 total yards, with the Rattlers lone score coming on a 72-yard fumble return for TD in the fourth quarter.
Wake Forest had a tougher go of it at the Purdue Boilermakers (+2.5), needing double overtime to escape with a 38-36 (Over 51.5) victory. QB Gio Lopez completed 16 of 27 passes for 225 yards and a TD and led the team with 59 yards rushing and 2 TDs, including the game-winning score and 2-point conversion in the second OT.
Miami leads the all-time series 9-3 and has won the last 8 meetings, and all 6 games since Miami joined the ACC in 2004. The Hurricanes won the last meeting against Wake Forest 42-14 at home in 2024.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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Miami at Wake Forest odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 12:231 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Miami -1600 (bet $1600 to win $100) | Wake Forest +1050 (bet $100 to win $1,050)
- Against the spread (ATS): Miami -20.5 (-120) | Wake Forest +20.5 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 56.5 (O: -108 | U: -110)
Miami at Wake Forest picks and predictions
Prediction
Miami 48, Wake Forest 13
Moneyline
PASS.
Wake Forest is the best team Miami has played so far this season, but it's a low bar so far after victories over the Stanford Cardinal and Florida A&M. The Demon Deacons were picked to finish in the bottom half of the standings in the ACC preseason rankings.
Against the spread
BET MIAMI -20.5 (-120).
Wake Forest has a competent offense, but their defense is among the worst in the ACC and Miami should feast. An early Heisman Trophy favorite, Mensah has completed 41 of 45 passes for 653 yards and 8 TDs through 2 games. While Miami didn't play Wake Forest last season, Mensah did, throwing for 268 yards and 3 TDs in the Duke Blue Devils' 49-32 victory over the Demons Deacons.
Over/Under
BET OVER 56.5 (-108).
We know Miami has one of the most talented offenses in the nation and should be able to put up at least 40 points against this Wake Forest defense. But how will the Wake offense fare against the Miami defense? The Demon Deacons getting to double-digits will probably be key to hitting this over.
Best prop bet
BET MARK FLETCHER TO SCORE 2+ TDs (+160 BETMGM)
Toney (+210) and WR Cooper Barkate (+525) are also offered under this prop. I think at least 1 of these 3 will score twice and I'll roll with Miami's top RB.
Betting odds calculator
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This article originally appeared on Sportsbook Wire: Miami Hurricanes at Wake Forest Demon Deacons odds, picks and predictions
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