Wake Forest vs. Stanford: Kickoff Details, Weather, and Players to Watch
Wake Forest enters at 3-1 after an upset win at Louisville and sits just outside the AP Top 25. The Demon Deacons host Stanford on Saturday, Oct. 3, at noon ET on ACC Network. Quarterback Gio Lopez and wide receiver Carlos Hernandez have been key for Wake Forest, and rain is possible with temperatures near 70 degrees.
Wake Forest carries a 3-1 mark into Family Weekend after winning at Louisville, leaving the Demon Deacons just outside the AP Top 25. They host Stanford on Saturday, Oct. 3, at noon ET on ACC Network. Gio Lopez starts at quarterback, and Carlos Hernandez has emerged as a top receiving target.
Stanford, under first-year coach Tavita Pritchard, beat Georgia Tech 34-27 after trailing 20-10 at halftime. Its Michigan-transfer quarterback threw for 396 yards and three scores. Wake leads the series 2-1 and won their 2024 meeting 27-24. Rain is possible, with temperatures near 70 and a light southwest breeze.
This matchup may draw alumni, students, and local businesses to Winston-Salem for Family Weekend, potentially lifting hospitality spending and campus energy. A Wake Forest win could strengthen its national profile and poll position, while Stanford could gain momentum under a new staff. For fans and media, the game may serve as a small but meaningful shared event, though its broader societal effects are likely limited to those communities.