GAME NOTES: The 21st-ranked Wake Forest Demon Deacons try to continue their winning ways this weekend, as they invade Charlottesville to do battle with the Virginia Cavaliers in a key ACC showdown. The Deacons are one of the hottest teams in the conference right now, as they have won six games in a row, marking their longest winning streak since 1992. The most recent of those wins came this past weekend, a 37-10 triumph over North Carolina that earned WF bowl eligibility at 6-2 overall. The victory also kept the Deacons in the hunt for their second straight Atlantic Division title at 4-1, with that lone loss coming to division-leading Boston College, which is currently 4-0. As for Virginia, it was the only other unbeaten team in ACC play, but that was until it was knocked off by NC State, 29-24, last weekend. The loss not only snapped the team's seven-game winning streak, but it also dropped the program out of the Top 25 rankings. Virginia still stands at a solid 7-2 overall, but it is just a half-game ahead of Virginia Tech in the Coastal Division standings at 4-1. The Cavs now return back home, where they are a perfect 4-0 and have won seven straight games dating back to a season ago. The all-time series between these two schools has been owned by Virginia, which holds a 33-12 advantage over WF. As a matter of fact, the Cavs have won 19 of the past 20 meetings in the series, and that includes a 24-21 triumph in the most recent encounter in 2003.

The Deacons have scored nine non-offensive touchdowns this season and that has helped pick up the slack for the offense, which is producing a modest 345.4 total ypg. Last weekend, WF totaled just 269 yards against North Carolina, but it was still able to score 37 points thanks to a defensive touchdown and a 98- yard kickoff return for a score by Kevin Marion. Josh Adams added two touchdowns on the ground and he finished the game with 82 yards on 18 totes. For the year, Adams leads WF with 577 rushing yards and six scores in seven games. Quarterback Riley Skinner converted on an efficient 12-of-15 pass attempts last weekend, although he ended up with just 133 yards. Skinner has been extremely accurate this season, completing 72.7 percent of his tosses, but he has thrown just six touchdowns against nine interceptions. Kenneth Moore has clearly been his go-to-guy, as he leads the Deacons with 60 catches, 656 receiving yards and four touchdowns. Moore, who caught four balls for 41 yards last weekend, has also played a part in the ground attack, rushing for 234 yards and three touchdowns.

On defense, the Deacons have thrived on their ability to create turnovers, forcing 24, including 13 interceptions. WF has returned five of those interceptions for touchdowns and that has helped to make up for the 224.4 passing ypg it is currently allowing. Last weekend, the Deacons generated three turnovers, while holding North Carolina to just 313 total yards of offense. Aaron Curry picked off two passes in the game and he returned one of them 77 yards for a touchdown. He also finished with seven tackles, and for the year he now ranks second on the team with 63 stops and three picks. Jeremy Thompson notched 0.5 of a sack this past weekend and he is tops on the club with 6.5 sacks for the year. As a team, WF has recorded 22 sacks on the year and that includes four against North Carolina last weekend.

The Cavs haven't been all too productive on offense this season, as they enter the contest averaging just 22.6 ppg behind only 331.6 total ypg. The unit is rushing for a decent 133.9 ypg, but that is coming off an average of just 3.5 yards per carry. Last weekend, Virginia turned the ball over two times and gained 369 total yards in a 29-24 loss at NC State. Mikell Simpson rushed for 81 yards and a score and he also pulled down four balls for 35 yards and another touchdown in the losing cause. While that was a solid performance, the Cavs are still hoping leading rusher Cedric Peerman (585 yards), who missed last game with an ankle injury, can return to the lineup this weekend. Peerman is an explosive runner, but he is listed as questionable for this game. Jameel Sewell was sacked three times and intercepted twice last weekend, but he still ended up throwing for 260 yards and a pair of touchdowns. On the year, Sewell has lacked some consistency, throwing for just 162.7 ypg with nine touchdowns and seven interceptions. Sewell however, can be dangerous with his legs, rushing for 153 yards thus far.

Defensively, Virginia has been nothing short of solid this season, holding its foes to 19.6 ppg and just 327.4 total ypg. The unit has done a good job against the run (110.0 ypg) as well as getting to opposing quarterbacks, recording 27 sacks. Despite three sacks last weekend, the Cavs were torched by NC State for 431 total yards, including 347 via the pass. The unit forced just one turnover and that has been a problem this year for Virginia, which has generated just 13 turnovers thus far. All-American candidate Chris Long though, continued is tremendous play, as he posted five tackles and a sack in the losing cause. Long is one of the elite pass rushers in the nation and he leads the Cavs with 14 TFLs and the ACC with 11 sacks for the season.

Both teams have a lot on the line this weekend, as neither club can afford another loss if they want to win their respective divisions. WF though, has the momentum on its side and with another strong all-around team effort, it should prevail this weekend.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Wake Forest 24, Virginia 20