Wake Forest strengthens CFP case with 'statement' win at SMU

DALLAS -- Wake Forest coach Jake Dickert figures at some point it will be said that his Demon Deacons are good.

Now might work.

Gio Lopez ran for two touchdowns and threw for a score, and No. 13 Wake Forest extended its winning streak to seven games while strengthening a case for a playoff spot with a 49-7 blowout of SMU on Saturday.

The Demon Deacons (9-1, 6-1 ACC) led 42-0 at halftime while handing the Mustangs (7-3, 5-3) their first Atlantic Coast Conference loss at home in the Ford Stadium finale of their third ACC season. SMU entered 12-0 at home in league games.

Wake Forest hasn't lost since falling 33-20 to seventh-ranked and ACC-leading Miami almost two months ago, with those teams now…