Everything's changing in Winston-Salem. If you walked into Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium last year, you knew what to expect: the slow mesh, Dave Clawson’s steady hand, and a developmental model that felt as reliable as a Honda Civic. But look at the Wake Forest 2025 football schedule now. It’s a new world. Dave Clawson is gone, moving into an executive role at the business school. In steps Jake Dickert, the former Washington State coach, bringing a high-tempo spread offense that basically deletes the "slow" from the mesh.
Honestly, the 2025 slate is a gauntlet that doesn’t give this new era much time to breathe. We’re talking about a schedule that features seven home games, a massive trip to the West Coast, and a Thursday night rivalry game that could set the tone for the entire fall.
The Non-Conference Mix: Kennesaw State to Oregon State
The season kicks off on a Friday night, August 29, against Kennesaw State. It’s supposed to be a "tune-up," but with a brand-new coaching staff and a quarterback room featuring SEC transfer Robby Ashford, nothing is guaranteed. One week later, the Deacs host Western Carolina on September 6. If they aren't 2-0 heading into the meat of the schedule, fans are going to get nervous quickly.
The real head-turner on the non-conference list? The October 11 trip to Oregon State. It’s a long flight to Corvallis. Playing a PAC-12 (or what’s left of it) survivor in their house is always a nightmare for East Coast teams. Wake Forest also squeezed in a late-season game against Delaware on November 22. It’s a weird spot for an FCS opponent, tucked right before the Duke finale, but it might be a much-needed "get right" game after a grueling ACC stretch.
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Navigating the 2025 ACC Slate
The conference schedule is where things get sticky. The ACC didn't do Dickert any favors in his first year.
September 11: NC State (Thursday Night)
This is the big one. The Big Four rivalry moves to a Thursday night in Winston-Salem. It’s early. It’s loud. And it’s on ESPN. Losing this one at home would be a gut punch to the new regime's momentum.
September 27: Georgia Tech
After a bye week, the Yellow Jackets come to town for Family Weekend. Tech has been on the rise, and their physical style is a tough matchup for a Wake defense that’s still trying to find its identity under new DC Scottie Hazelton.
October 4: at Virginia Tech
Blacksburg is never easy. Lane Stadium will be jumping. This starts a two-game road trip that ends in Oregon. If Wake can split these two, they’re in a great spot for bowl eligibility.
October 25: SMU (Homecoming)
The Mustangs are the new kids on the block, and they play fast. This is a contrast of styles—Dickert’s new spread against SMU’s air raid. Expect a lot of points.
November 1: at Florida State
This is the game everyone circles. Even in a transition year, Tallahassee is a house of horrors. The Deacs will need a career-best game from someone like Demond Claiborne to keep this competitive.
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November 15: North Carolina
The Tar Heels come to Allegacy Stadium for the penultimate home game. In-state games just hit different. By mid-November, we’ll know if Ashford has the "juice" RJ Young and other analysts have been questioning.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Roster
A lot of folks look at the 4-8 record from 2024 and think this is a total rebuild. It’s not. It’s a retooling. Demond Claiborne is a legitimate star. He put up over 1,000 yards last year and stayed loyal when the transfer portal sirens started calling. He’s the engine of this team.
The offensive line is actually huge. We’re talking five starters all over 300 pounds. Dickert brought a couple of his guys from Washington State, including tackle Fa’alili Fa’Amoe. Having that kind of size helps the transition to a tempo offense because it wears down smaller ACC defensive ends.
But the defense? That's the question mark. Safety Nick Andersen is back after recording 122 tackles, which is a lot of tackles for a safety—usually a sign that the front seven is letting too many people through. They need to get more aggressive.
2025 Wake Forest Schedule at a Glance
- Aug 29: Kennesaw State (Home)
- Sep 6: Western Carolina (Home)
- Sep 11: NC State (Home - Thursday)
- Sep 27: Georgia Tech (Home)
- Oct 4: at Virginia Tech (Away)
- Oct 11: at Oregon State (Away)
- Oct 25: SMU (Home)
- Nov 1: at Florida State (Away)
- Nov 8: at Virginia (Away)
- Nov 15: North Carolina (Home)
- Nov 22: Delaware (Home)
- Nov 29: at Duke (Away)
The Verdict on the Dickert Era Launch
Look, transitioning from a decade of "Clawson-ball" to Jake Dickert’s system isn't going to be seamless. There will be growing pains. The schedule has seven home games, which is a gift for a first-year coach. If they can defend the home turf against the likes of NC State and UNC, six or seven wins is very doable.
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The biggest hurdle isn't the talent; it's the culture shift. Wake Forest has been the "underdog that out-executes you" for years. Now, they're trying to be the "team that out-speeds you." It’s a risky gamble in a conference that’s getting more athletic every year.
Next Steps for Deac Fans:
Keep a close eye on the spring game in April. That will be the first real look at how Ashford handles the tempo. Also, make sure to secure those Thursday night tickets for the NC State game early; Winston-Salem is going to be packed for that one. If you're traveling, the Oregon State trip requires a lot of logistics, so start looking at flights to Portland or Eugene sooner rather than later.