Wake Forest football kicks off its 2023 season on Thursday, August 31 against Elon. The Demon Deacons are one of 8 Power 5 programs starting the year on Thursday night of Week 1, joining NC State, Florida, Utah, Mizzou, Minnesota, Nebraska and Arizona State.

Wake Forest is looking to start the season off on the right foot following an 8-5 end to 2022. And though WF could take a step back in 2023, they’re unlikely to be truly tested by the Phoenix.

ESPN’s FPI (Football Power Index) agrees with that sentiment. It gives the Demon Deacons a 96.1% chance of entering Week 2 against Vanderbilt 1-0.

More than anything, Wake Forest’s opener gives the Deacons a solid test in tying up loose ends, as well as giving head coach Dave Clawson a true look at new starting QB Mitch Griffis.

Griffis is entering his 4th year at Wake Forest and will be a Redshirt sophomore in 2023. He’s appeared in 14 games across his WF tenure, making 1 start last season. It’s hard to replicate what Sam Hartman did for Wake Forest, we’ll see if Griffis is up to the task.

The game between WF and Elon is set to kick off at 7 p.m. ET. It will be shown on ACC Network.