July 26, 2004

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Wake Forest was tabbed to finish ninth in the inaugural year of the 11-team ACC football race in a survey of the media at the 2004 ACC Football Kickoff in Greensboro today.

The Demon Deacons return 14 starters, six on offense and eight on defense, and both specialists from a team that finished 5-7 overall, 3-5 in the ACC in 2003.

Florida State garnered the most first-place votes with 49 and a total of 925 points. Miami was second with 36 first-place votes and 913 points. Virginia (2) was third with 697 points and Clemson (1) was fourth with 664 points. The Cavaliers and Tigers were the only other two schools to receive first place votes.

Maryland was fifth with 653 points, Virginia Tech was sixth with 511 points, NC State was seventh with 509 points and Georgia Tech was eighth with 365 points.

The Demon Deacons garnered 273 points, significantly ahead of 10th place North Carolina (184) and 11th place Duke (114).

Wake Forest will open the season on Saturday, Sept. 4 at Clemson. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 pm and will be televised by ABC.

ACC Preseason Poll
School (1st-place votes)          Points
1. Florida State (49)             925
2. Miami (36)                     913
3. Virginia (2)                   697
4. Clemson (1)                    664
5. Maryland                       653
6. Virginia Tech                  511
7. NC State                       509
8. Georgia Tech                   365
9. Wake Forest                    273
10. North Carolina                184
11. Duke                          114