Turmoil in Tar Heels' program makes Demon Deacons' task tougher

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - It&#39;s always a big game for Wake Forest when the Demon Deacons play in-state conference rival North Carolina.<br> <br> But coach Jim Grobe said Tuesday that the recent turmoil enveloping the Tar Heels&#39; program will add an air of uncertainty to 24th-ranked Wake Forest&#39;s visit to Chapel Hill.<br> <br> ``Anytime you play an in-state game, you know it&#39;s going to be an emotional game,&#39;&#39; Grobe said. ``You&#39;ve got a tough job especially on the road. But with the situation in Chapel Hill right now, our job just got a little tougher.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> North Carolina (1-6, 0-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) has struggled this season and lost 23-0 to Virginia last Thursday. That lopsided loss helped lead to the firing of coach John Bunting effective at the end of the season.<br> <br> Meanwhile, the Demon Deacons (6-1, 3-1) are off to one of the best starts in school history. They moved up one spot in the latest Associated Press Top 25 during their off week, and have been ranked in consecutive weeks for the first time in 27 years.<br> <br> ``We&#39;re ranked, and that&#39;s something you want to have for your program,&#39;&#39; Grobe said. ``But all that does is expand the target on your chest. Everybody wants to knock you off. It&#39;s always extra motivation for the team you&#39;re playing.<br> <br> ``The only reason we&#39;re where we are right now is because we&#39;ve played hard seven straight games. We&#39;ve got to play hard the last five games to have a chance to win (the ACC championship).&#39;&#39;<br> <br> A win Saturday would give the Demon Deacons their first 7-1 start since 1979, which is also the last time they had been ranked in back-to-back weeks.<br> <br> It would also give Wake Forest its first 4-0 record on the road since 1992, and its first season sweep over its Tobacco Road rivals North Carolina, N.C. State and Duke since 1987.<br> <br> This week&#39;s game with the Tar Heels will be the 102nd meeting between the two schools, the second-longest series in ACC history, and the Demon Deacons have lost the past two.<br> <br> ``I think they&#39;ll be fired up no matter what,&#39;&#39; Wake Forest offensive tackle Steve Vallos said. ``They&#39;re going to come to play. ... We&#39;re going to be fired up, they&#39;re going to be fired up it should be a pretty good game.&#39;&#39;