Virginia lists RB Jekail Middlebrook as doubtful for trip to No. 14 Wake Forest

Virginia could head to No. 14 Wake Forest without the running back who has carried its offense lately. Jekail Middlebrook is listed as doubtful for Saturday on the first ACC availability report of the week, which came out Wednesday night, The Daily Progress reported. Wide receiver Kameron Courtney is also listed as doubtful.

Losing Middlebrook would hurt. He ran for a career-high 117 yards in last week's 19-16 loss to Duke, and RotoWire has him at 513 yards and four touchdowns on 105 carries this season, plus 12 catches for 78 yards and another score. The injury has not been disclosed.

He is far from the only absence. The report published by Virginia Cavaliers On SI lists 18 Cavaliers as out. Among them are wide receiver Rico Flores Jr., kicker Tim Hamann, tight end Justin Zames, offensive linemen Noah Hartsoe and Grant Ellinger, and four defensive tackles: Chase Morrison, Tyler Simmons, Jason Hammond and Bull Richardson. Defensive backs Corey Costner, Brandyn Hillman and Ethan Minter are questionable, along with receiver Dylan Cope. Dillon Newton-Short is listed as probable. With the receiver room already short and quarterback Beau Pribula playing unevenly, Virginia may have to find its offense somewhere other than the run game.

At his midweek press conference, Tony Elliott made clear what his defense is up against. Talking about the Wake Forest quarterback, he said "the quarterback just looks like a different guy," as quoted by Virginia Cavaliers On SI.

What it means for Saturday

The two teams are trending in opposite directions. Virginia is 4-4 and has lost two straight, scoring only 13 points at SMU and 16 at home against Duke. Its last road game against a strong opponent was a 38-7 loss at Florida State. Wake Forest is 6-1 and has won five in a row, including a 30-27 win at Louisville and road wins of 38-14 at NC State and 41-7 at Cal. The Deacons have scored at least 38 points in five of seven games, and their only loss was 33-20 to Miami. The one opponent both teams have played is NC State: Virginia beat the Wolfpack 34-8 in the opener, and Wake Forest won 38-14 in Raleigh.

Wake Forest is a clear favorite on this site's board for the game, which tracks 11 venues. Novig has the Deacons at -456 on the moneyline and Virginia at +413. The best Virginia price anywhere is +450 at Hard Rock Bet. On the spread, Wake Forest is favored by 12.5 at Novig, and Hard Rock Bet offers Virginia +13.5 at -110. Novig's total is 49.5, a point above the 48.5 at theScore Bet. Sportsbook hold on the moneyline runs from 3.8% to 6.6%.

Virginia is not the only ACC team with a long injury report this week. Georgia Tech goes to Pitt without left guard Kevin Peay Jr., its highest-graded offensive lineman, and returner Rahkeem Smith, according to Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets On SI. The Panthers are favored by 8.5 at Novig in that game.

Updated availability reports will come out before kickoff. Middlebrook's status is the one to watch for Virginia. Saturday's game airs on ESPN2.