Vanderbilt Game Preview
11/25/2010 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 25, 2010
Video: Game Preview With Jim Grobe 
Game Notes: Wake Forest 
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By Steven Johns, WakeForestSports.com
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - The Wake Forest 2010 football season closes on the road Saturday when the Demon Deacons head to Nashville, Tenn. to take on SEC rival Vanderbilt.The Deacs will face the Commodores in a battle of 2-9 teams that are each desperate for a win.
"You have two teams going in with two wins, so I look at it as, since we didn't get to go to a bowl game this year, I look it as a bowl game and two teams playing for a third win," said senior long snapper Greg Bechtel.
"It gives us a little confidence (that they're 2-9)," said senior linebacker Matt Woodlief. "We're telling ourselves `we're going to win.' That's what we tell ourselves every week, you know, we go out there and we try to win."
Both the Deacons and Commodores have struggled this season, but the final game of the year provides an opportunity for each team to gain momentum going into next season.
"I think everybody's mindset right now is let's get a win, let's go out there and compete, and let's finish the season on a high note so we can be optimistic about the future here at Wake Forest," said Bechtel.
"I think we definitely think of it as a game to win because there is no better way to end your season, no matter what your record was, than a win," said senior wide receiver Marshall Williams.
Just because Vanderbilt is also 2-9 doesn't mean that the Deacs are taking their foes lightly.
"They're in the SEC, so you know they've got some big boys out there," said Woodlief. "They're a very good team, you know, very fast, physical. Their offensive line, I think they're a little bit faster than Clemson was. They'll get up on you a little bit more."
Wake Forest's offense, which has just 23 points in its last three games, also has a challenge ahead of it.
"We see a team that shows great potential in flashes, at least defensively," said Williams. "Were just going to go out there and do what we can to exploit what we think is their weaknesses on defense."
Despite struggling to find the win column, the team has been showing signs of improvement each and every week.
"Our message for the past few weeks has always been let's get better, let's work hard during the week and see if we can't play better on Saturday," said head coach Jim Grobe. "I think we have done that."
"There's definitely been some highs and there's definitely been some lows this season, and that comes every season," said Bechtel.
While there have been ups and downs this season, Grobe would very much like to end the season on a high note.
"There's not anything that I think would be better for our football team right now than a win," said Grobe. "Like I said, I'd give it to them, but I'm not capable of that. We've got a good plan for them, but they have to go out and block and tackle and make it happen."
