Week 2: Ole Miss at Wake Forest

The ACC found out first-hand in Week 1 just how strong the SEC is. South Carolina blanked N.C. State 34-0, and Alabama dismantled Clemson 34-10 in the biggest game of the opening weekend.

Wake Forest figures to fare better in its matchup with college football’s megaconference. For one thing, the Demon Deacons will have home-field advantage, something that N.C. State and Clemson lacked. For another, Ole Miss is thought to be a notch below the Gamecocks and the Crimson Tide in terms of talent.

Still, the Rebels are formidable as they enter their second game with Houston Nutt as head coach. Mississippi opened its season with a 41-24 victory over Memphis, putting up its highest point total since 2003. The Rebels have versatile weapons in freshman running back Brandon Bolden, who rushed for 76 yards and a touchdown in addition to completing a 37-yard pass in the opener, and junior Dexter McCluster, who racked up 64 yards rushing and 61 yards receiving against Memphis.

The Demon Deacons, who started their season with a 41-13 win at Baylor, will try to take advantage of an Ole Miss defense that allowed 453 yards last week. Quarterback Riley Skinner passed for a career-high three touchdowns against Baylor, and he enters this week as the most accurate passer in ACC history (69.8 percent completion rate).

Notes/Things to Watch:

Wake Forest won the only previous meeting between the teams, beating the Rebels 27-3 in Oxford, Miss., in 2006.

Wake Forest has won five consecutive home games dating back to its 20-17 loss to Nebraska in last season’s home opener.

Wake Forest is seeking the 400th victory in program history. The Demon Deacons have an all-time record of 399-581-33.

Ole Miss is 10-6-1 all time against the ACC, with its last win over the conference coming against Georgia Tech in the Peach Bowl after the 1971 season.

Key Player (Rebels) — Jevan Snead, QB

Wake Forest forced four turnovers against Baylor and scored 21 of its 41 points off turnovers in that game. The Demon Deacons led the nation with eight defensive touchdowns in 2007, so Snead must protect the ball and force Wake Forest’s offense to do all of the Demon Deacons’ scoring.

Key Player (Demon Deacons) — Josh Adams, RB

Adams got off to a slow start, rushing for just 37 yards on 14 carries against Baylor. The reigning ACC rookie of the year needs to get going to keep pressure off Skinner and the passing game.

Wake Forest by 7