Ole Miss football has yet to face a serious challenge. The No. 5 Rebels pounded FCS Furman 76-0 in their opener and handled Middle Tennessee with ease last week. The first two games have been so one-sided that coach Lane Kiffin has chided fans for leaving early, long after the starters have been pulled.

Fans making the trip to Wake Forest for the game Saturday (5:30 p.m., CW) may have more reason to stick around in the second half.

"You've got a Power Four ACC team, better than the first two opponents and on the road," Kiffin said Monday. "I think this is a really good measuring stick for where we are at."

The Demon Deacons (1-1) are coming off a 31-30 home loss to ACC opponent Virginia. Kiffin said Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson prepares the Demon Deacons to play with physicality. That was evidenced when Wake Forest played Clemson close early last season, losing 17-12. Up unto this point in the season, Ole Miss has seemed to corner the market on in-game physicality.

"(Wake Forest) has played extremely well in a lot of big games, like Clemson 17-12 just a year ago," Kiffin said. "We're going to have our hands full. These guys play really tough and aggressive. I'm excited about that challenge and our guys coming together and getting ready to go on the road for a great week of practice. Preparation is the challenge."

Wake Forest football players to watch against Ole Miss

Sixth-year quarterback Hank Bachmeier, who has had previous stops at Boise State and Louisiana Tech, will head up Wake Forest's passing attack. He has passed for 666 yards and four touchdowns through two games.

Junior running back Demond Claiborne will also test the Ole Miss defense that has been almost impenetrable. Claiborne has 221 rushing yards and three scores this season."

"I think (Bachmeier) is a good player," Kiffin said. "Their O-line has played a lot together and looks really good to me. We're going to need to play good on defense up front and limit explosive plays. This will be the best passing team by far that we've played."

Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why Ole Miss football will get a 'measuring stick' from Wake Forest