Memphis RB Darrell Henderson will skip his senior season to cast his lot with the NFL draft, thus crippling the Tigers' offense here for this game. Henderson topped the FBS in touchdowns and all-purpose yards. So Christmas comes early for the Demon Deacons' defense, which ranks 116th in defense. Wake owns the better bowls legacy in recent years, with outright wins the last two years while Memphis was losing a pair. Wake QB Jamie Newman is settling in after replacing injured starter Sam Hartman four games ago. Also HC Dave Clawson has had his Wake Forest team ready for a bowl game the last couple of years, winning outright against Texas A&M and Temple as an underdog both times.


The WF Demon Deacons are excited to be in their third straight Bowl, while the Tigers are not, after losing a chance to appear in a more prestigious Bowl.

Wake Forest is 5-1 ATS the last six in December and 4-1 ATS the last five Bowls. Memphis is 0-5 ATS the last five in December and 1-5 ATS the last six Bowls. PLAY ON WAKE ­FOREST this afternoon plus the pts.