Wake expects tough game from Navy

If anything, Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe is a realist.

He knows that Saturday's 12-3 victory over Florida State could have turned the other way, considering the Deacs failed to score a touchdown and sputtered offensively against a stifling Seminoles' defense.

He's knows, despite a jump in the national polls this week and 3-0 record, there is no reason to hold heads up too high.

"We know as a team that we were very fortunate to win Saturday night and we've got a lot of good teams left to play on the schedule," Grobe said on Tuesday.

On Saturday, the 16th-ranked Demon Deacons host Navy at BB&T Field, a team they defeated 44-24 last year, though trailed in the second quarter.

It's a fast, hard-hitting Navy team, one with the top rushing offense in the nation. The Midshipmen are 2-1 and are coming off a 23-21 victory over Rutgers.

No one has to remind the Deacs.

"We will not have any problems this week getting our kid's attention," Grobe said. "They know how tough a game that was last year."

If players don't remember, others are sure to refresh their memory.

Sophomore running back Josh Adams lent a word of advice to backfield partner redshirt freshman Brandon Pendergrass.

"He said, 'This week get ready, Navy is going to hit harder than anybody we've played all season," Pendergrass said. "You wouldn't think it just because they are Navy, they're not a big-time school. They are a military school ... and they do compete. Football is their easy part of the day."

It's a point Grobe started making on Monday. He didn't want any misplaced euphoria to carry over from early-season victories.

"Our kids are awake at the wheel," he said.

He told his players that they would like to face this type of team: One lacking football smarts and savvy. One that will give up early. One they may not give all-out effort.

"I tried to think about as many bad things about a team you'd want to play," he said. "And just remind them that none of that applies to Navy.

"You've got brilliant kids that won't beat themselves. That are as tough as pine knots. They're going to try to get you on the ground every snap of the game. It won't matter what the score is, whether they're ahead or behind, they're going to fight for four quarters. And when the game's over, you're going to be glad the game's over."