WCU vs Wake Forest Live Today: Kickoff Time, Streaming Links, Odds & Must-Watch Storylines

Western Carolina University (WCU) heads east on I-40 for a payday and a proving ground when the Catamounts face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. ET inside Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium in Winston-Salem, with coverage streaming on ACC Network Extra and ESPN+. Current form • WCU (0-1) surrendered a 35-7 first-half lead in last week’s 52-45 shootout loss to Gardner-Webb but still piled up 454 total yards behind red-shirt sophomore QB Bennett Judy and 142 rushing yards from converted running back Patrick Boyd Jr. • Wake Forest (1-0) escaped FBS newcomer Kennesaw State 10-9 thanks to Oregon transfer Robby Ashford’s 260 combined yards and a fourth-quarter defensive stand. Key storylines 1. Quarterback contrast: Ashford’s dual-threat ability meets Judy’s first-year poise. Ashford averaged 7.8 yards per attempt and added 42 rushing yards in the opener, while Judy threw three TDs in his college debut. 2. Depth test for WCU: The FCS visitors are without three projected starting receivers, and All-American QB Taron Dickens remains sidelined. Wake’s secondary, led by DB Nick Andersen (nine tackles vs. KSU), will try to capitalize. 3. Injury watch: Demon Deacons star RB Demond Claiborne left the opener early with an undisclosed injury; his status is day-to-day. If he can’t go, expect more Ashford keepers and an expanded role for sophomore Justice Ellison. 4. Series history: Wake owns a 3-0 all-time lead, all in Winston-Salem. WCU hasn’t beaten an FBS opponent in 63 tries, but last year’s near-upset at NC State and a top-25 FCS preseason ranking feed belief in Cullowhee. 5. Weather and crowd: Forecast calls for 87°F at kickoff, humid with a light breeze—tough on a WCU defense that was on the field for 88 plays last week. Tickets remain abundant, starting at $9 on secondary markets. Betting odds and prediction The latest line from ESPN BET lists Wake Forest as an 18.5-point favorite with a 61.5 over/under. Expect the Deacons’ ACC size advantage to wear down the Catamounts after halftime, but WCU’s up-tempo offense and turnover-seeking defense (21 INTs in 2024) could keep things interesting early. Prediction: Wake Forest 41, WCU 24 Pick against the spread: WCU +18.5 Over/Under: Under 61.5 How to watch / stream • TV/Streaming: ACCNX and ESPN+ (subscription required) • Radio: Catamount Sports Network (Sylva 105.7 FM/540 AM, Asheville 1310 AM, Franklin 104.9 FM/1050 AM, Marion 103.9 FM) • Live stats: StatBroadcast (link via CatamountSports.com) Players to know WCU: RB Patrick Boyd Jr. (9.5 ypc), LB Hayward McQueen Jr. (15 tackles, 1 FF), WR Malik Knight (69-yd TD catch). Wake: QB Robby Ashford (218-yds passing, 42-yds rushing), TE Eni Falayi (52 receiving yds), DL Jayden Loving (1 sack). Search-friendly quick facts • Western Carolina vs Wake Forest start time: 2 p.m. ET, Sept. 6, 2025 • Venue: Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium, Winston-Salem, NC • Live stream: ACC Network Xtra, ESPN+ • WCU vs Wake Forest odds: Deacons ‑18.5, O/U 61.5 • Weather: 87°F, partly sunny • Cheapest ticket: $9 Bottom line If Wake Forest cleans up red-zone inefficiency and controls tempo, Dave Clawson’s team should cruise to 2-0. But Kerwin Bell’s fearless Catamounts relish a chaos script; a few early explosives could tighten the screws on a Demon Deacon squad still searching for consistent offense. Expect fireworks, at least until depth takes over in the North Carolina heat.