In Week 10 of the 2026 college football season, the Merrimack College Warriors are set to travel to Winston-Salem to challenge the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. The Warriors, currently without a conference, are eager to improve upon their 0-1 record. They recently suffered a setback against Delaware, where their offense struggled to generate momentum. The Demon Deacons, ranked 14th in both the AP and Coaches Polls, are off to a strong start this season with a 7-1 record. They've shown impressive form in conference play, securing five wins from six games. Their recent victory over Virginia highlighted their dominance, both offensively and defensively. This game will take place at the Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium and will be broadcast on ACCN. Wake Forest will aim to maintain their formidable home record, while Merrimack hopes to find their first win on the road. With the odds heavily favoring Wake Forest, the Warriors have a challenging task ahead.

Wake Forest vs Merrimack College At a Glance (Week 10)

  • Game Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 3:30 PM
  • Venue: Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, NC
  • TV Channel: ACCN
  • Wake Forest Record: 7-1 overall, 5-1 conference
  • Merrimack College Record: 0-1 overall
  • Game Odds: Wake Forest -48.5 spread, Total Over/Under 59.5

Wake Forest Demon Deacons: A Powerhouse at Home

Offensive Performance

In the 2026 regular season, Wake Forest's offense has been performing impressively, scoring 313 points to rank 9th nationally. The Demon Deacons have accumulated 2,261 passing yards, placing them 19th in the country. Their ground game has also been effective with 1,407 rushing yards, holding the 50th spot in the rankings.

Gio Lopez has been a key player, leading the team with 2,176 passing yards and 18 touchdowns while maintaining only one interception across eight games. His connection with top receiver Carlos Hernandez, who boasts 856 receiving yards and five touchdowns, has been instrumental to the team's success.

Defensive Strengths

The Demon Deacons' defense has allowed 143 points this season, ranking them 66th nationally. They have been particularly strong in pressuring opposing quarterbacks, with 20 sacks putting them at 11th in the nation. Additionally, their secondary has been effective, recording three interceptions and recovering two fumbles, which ranks them 4th and 10th respectively.

This defensive prowess has been a critical component in their recent victories, including a dominating 51-7 win over Virginia. The pressure from the defensive line often forces opposing teams into mistakes, giving Wake Forest's offense more opportunities to capitalize.

Recent Game Performance

Wake Forest has been on an impressive run, winning their last five games convincingly. Their most recent win against Virginia demonstrated their offensive and defensive capabilities, as they amassed 309 rushing yards while holding the Cavaliers to just 17. The Demon Deacons' balanced attack was further highlighted in their victory over California, where they posted 289 passing yards and 220 rushing yards.

In addition to their solid ground game, their air attack has been a significant factor in their offensive success. The team has consistently outperformed opponents both on the road and at home, as shown in their 41-7 win over California and 57-3 triumph over Stanford at home.

Key Players to Watch

Running back Ty Clark III has been a standout performer, contributing 376 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. Complementing Clark is Deuce Lawrence, who has added 324 rushing yards and three touchdowns, providing depth and versatility to the backfield.

On the receiving end, Jack Foley and Kam Shanks have been valuable targets for Lopez. Foley has recorded 395 receiving yards and four touchdowns, while Shanks has added 262 receiving yards and one touchdown, enhancing the team's offensive options.

Team Betting Trends

  • SU - As Favorite: Last 13 Games (2024–2026) → 13-0 (100.0%)
  • ATS - All Games: Last 6 Games (2026) → 6-0 (100.0%)
  • SU - All Games: Last 5 Games (2026) → 5-0 (100.0%)
  • ATS - After Win: Last 5 Games (2026) → 5-0 (100.0%)
  • ATS - Totals ≥ 50: Last 5 Games (2026) → 5-0 (100.0%)
  • ATS - As Favorite: Last 4 Games (2026) → 4-0 (100.0%)
  • SU - Away Games: Last 4 Games (2026) → 4-0 (100.0%)
  • SU - After Win: Last 4 Games (2026) → 4-0 (100.0%)
  • SU - After Loss: Last 4 Games (2025–2026) → 4-0 (100.0%)
  • SU - Totals ≥ 50: Last 4 Games (2026) → 4-0 (100.0%)
  • ATS - Home Games: Last 8 Games (2025–2026) → 7-1 (87.5%)
  • ATS - Away Games: Last 3 Games (2026) → 3-0 (100.0%)
  • SU - Home Games: Last 7 Games (2025–2026) → 6-1 (85.7%)
  • O/U - Home Games: Last 6 Games (2025–2026) → 5-1 (83.3%)
  • O/U - As Favorite: Last 9 Games (2025–2026) → 7-2 (77.8%)
  • ATS - As Underdog: Last 8 Games (2025–2026) → 6-2 (75.0%)
  • ATS - After Loss: Last 5 Games (2025–2026) → 4-1 (80.0%)
  • O/U - All Games: Last 18 Games (2025–2026) → 11-7 (61.1%)
  • O/U - After Win: Last 19 Games (2023–2026) → 11-7-1 (57.9%)
  • O/U - As Underdog: Last 22 Games (2023–2026) → 11-10-1 (50.0%)

Merrimack College Warriors: A Glimpse into the 2026 Season

Offensive Overview

The Merrimack College Warriors have struggled offensively early in the 2026 season. They have managed only 7 points in their first game, ranking them 123rd nationally. Their passing game has been more active, though still in the lower ranks, with 196 passing yards.

In the rushing department, the Warriors have faced challenges, accumulating only 49 yards in their season opener. This has placed them near the bottom of the rankings at 193rd. First downs have been hard to come by, with just 13 achieved in their opening game.

Defensive Standpoint

Defensively, Merrimack has conceded 42 points, positioning them 16th in terms of points against. Despite a tough start, their ability to force turnovers is notable with 1 interception, placing them 2nd in the national rankings. Sacks have been limited, with only one recorded, leaving room for improvement.

Their defense, however, has been unable to recover any fumbles, which ranks them 12th. The Warriors' defensive stats suggest potential that can be further developed throughout the season.

Key Players to Watch

Cole Meehan has emerged as the starting quarterback, completing 25 passing attempts for 121 yards. His role will be pivotal as Merrimack seeks to improve their offensive production. Meanwhile, running back Galamama Mulbah leads the ground game with 41 rushing yards and a touchdown.

Kenyon Massey stands out among wide receivers with 5 receptions for 34 yards. In the tight end position, Andrew Korkosz's single reception netted 13 yards, demonstrating his capability to contribute when called upon.

Recent Performance and Betting Trends

Merrimack opened their 2026 season with a 42-7 loss against Delaware. Despite the setback, the Warriors have shown resilience in covering the spread, achieving a 4-2 record against the spread (ATS) over the last 6 games. As underdogs, they maintain the same ATS success rate, also going 4-2.

Betting Trends

  • ATS - All Games: Last 6 Games → 4-2 (66.7%)
  • ATS - As Underdog: Last 6 Games → 4-2 (66.7%)
  • ATS - Away Games: Last 6 Games → 4-2 (66.7%)
  • O/U - All Games: Last 4 Games → 1-3 (25.0%)
  • SU - All Games: Last 3 Games → 0-3 (0.0%)

The Warriors have yet to secure a straight-up (SU) victory in their last 3 games. However, they show promise in close contests, as evidenced by their ATS records. As they continue the season, Merrimack will aim to convert these competitive performances into wins.

Wake Forest vs Merrimack College Week 10 Prediction: Over 59.5

Wake Forest has been a scoring powerhouse this season, currently ranked 9th in the nation with 313 points for. Their offensive capabilities were on full display in their recent 51-7 victory against Virginia. Against a Merrimack College defense that allowed 42 points in their last game, Wake Forest is expected to light up the scoreboard once again.

On the other hand, Merrimack College has struggled defensively, ranked 16th in points allowed with 42 in their only game this season. While their offense hasn't been prolific, managing only 7 points, the high-powered Wake Forest offense could force a higher-scoring game overall. The anticipated pace and scoring ability of Wake Forest make the over a strong consideration.

The Demon Deacons have consistently hit the over in home games and as favorites, going 7-2 in their last nine games in such situations. With their ability to put up points rapidly, this trend is likely to continue against Merrimack. Given their offensive trends and Merrimack’s defensive vulnerabilities, expect a game that easily surpasses the total of 59.5.

In conclusion, with Wake Forest's aggressive offensive style and Merrimack's defensive struggles, the over 59.5 presents a favorable opportunity. The expected disparity in team performance could lead to a final score reflecting Wake Forest’s dominance and high-scoring capability.

  • Wake Forest vs Merrimack College Prediction: Over 59.5
  • Wake Forest vs Merrimack College Score: Wake Forest 56 - Merrimack College 10

Disclaimer: Knup Predictions are for entertainment and informational purposes only. Must be 21+ where applicable. Please gamble responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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