No. 5 Mississippi is set to face Wake Forest in a college football game on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. ET, airing on The CW. Ole Miss is favored to win by 23 1/2 points according to BetMGM College Football Odds. The series record is in favor of Wake Forest, leading 2-0.
The Rebels have dominated in their previous games against Furman and Middle Tennessee, outscoring their opponents 128-3. The match against Wake Forest will provide a tougher challenge and a better gauge of their readiness for Southeastern Conference games. Wake Forest is hoping to bounce back from a recent loss to Virginia, where they squandered a 30-17 fourth-quarter lead and are seeking their second victory against a top-five opponent.
A key matchup to watch is Ole Miss’ quarterback Jaxson Dart, wide receiver Tre Harris, and their passing game against Wake Forest’s defense, which recently allowed 357 passing yards to Virginia’s Anthony Colandrea. Dart made a mark by setting an SEC single-game record, completing his first 24 passes against Middle Tennessee and boasting a remarkable 87% completion rate.
In terms of players to keep an eye on, Wake Forest’s running back Demond Claiborne has displayed a strong start to his third college season, showcasing impressive performance in both the running and scoring departments. On the Ole Miss side, running back Henry Parrish Jr. has returned to the Rebels with a stellar performance, recording career highs of 165 yards and four touchdowns against Middle Tennessee.
Notable facts include Wake Forest’s past success against Ole Miss with two wins in their only two meetings. Their record book includes a single victory against a top-five opponent, a 19-6 road win over No. 4 Tennessee in 1946. Wake Forest was predicted to finish 15th in the expanded 17-team Atlantic Coast Conference. Quarterback Hank Bachmeier played impressively in his first start with the Demon Deacons, throwing for 403 yards after taking over from Michael Kern.