Ad Disclosure
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — As far as University of Alabama linebacker Trey DePriest is concerned, the key to stopping the Ole Miss offense comes down to one primary thing, quarterback Bo Wallace.
That’s no disrespect to the Rebels’ playmakers, as the Crimson Tide has been very complimentary this week, more of a reflection of the offensive scheme that gives the quarterback different options on every play.
“Pretty much him being a vet is the big thing,” DePriest said. “He runs everything.”
Specific to the Rebels, the offense does a lot of motions and adjustments, and almost always has a receiver or running back moving when the ball is snapped. Based on what the quarterback sees from the defense the quarterback has the option to either execute the play originally called, or go to that Plan B player, so there’s a run or pass possibility with every play.
With those alternative plays often looking like a toss sweep, but are statistically considered short passes, Ole Miss being 11th in the Southeastern Conference in rushing is a little deceptive. Defenses have to play them like runs so the natural tendency is to put more players in the box and close up the gaps.
“Several of the teams that they’ve played have tried to play them that way, try and take the running game away from them as much as they could,” Saban said. “They’ve obviously been able to hurt them with explosive plays and throw the ball on the perimeter and making plays.”
That’s also where Wallace’s experience also pays off because he’s been running Hugh Freeze’s system for three years now and his passing mechanics have improved. In addition to there not being much he hasn’t seen, the Rebels are comfortable with how he runs things and he’s the undisputed leader of the offense.
“That guy’s a really good competitor, is important to the entire team,” said Saban, who had a third-year starter at quarterback last season with AJ McCarron. “His ability to execute his position based on his experience probably minimizes a lot of bad plays – which makes them much more effective, makes him much more effective.
“They’ve made a lot of explosive plays on teams throwing the ball down the field. They’ve got great play-action passes. He’s done a really good job.”
But in two games against Alabama, both at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Wallace has yet to throw a touchdown pass against the Crimson Tide. Out of 24 total possessions the Rebels have scored just twice, for 14 points.
Last season he was 15 of 26 for 123 yards and two interceptions. Ole Miss never got the running game going ether, finishing with 46 yards on 25 carries for a paltry 1.8 average. The dual-threat quarterback ended up with more carries than any of the running backs, 12 for 5 yards. Wallace was sacked twice and tackled once in the end zone for a safety.
In 2012 he completed 17 of 31 passes for just 159 yards, and had a lost fumble. Wallace had eight carries, four of which were sacks, for minus-14 yards, although Ole Miss did something no other team had done for about 10 games, get a lead on Alabama in regulation. Yet it lasted only a few seconds as Christion Jones returned the ensuing kickoff back for a touchdown.
“I never felt great at all last year,” Wallace told reporters at Ole Miss this week. “This year, I feel good. I made a bad decision last week, but other than that I feel good. I’m confident going into this game. I’m confident in our guys. We know it’s going to be a big test for us.”
This season Wallace has completed 93 of 131 yards for 1,271 yards and 11 touchdowns. He’s 13th in the nation in both passing yards per game and passing efficiency with a 171.0 rating.
However, he’s also been picked off six times, including two during last week’s 24-3 victory over Memphis, which trailed just 7-3 at the start of the fourth quarter. Wallace completed 22 of 37 passes for 248 yards, 63 on an early touchdown by Laquon Treadwell, but the interceptions stood out because against SEC Western Division opponents he’s been as likely to have a pick as throw a touchdown.
Bo Wallace TD passes/Interceptions vs. SEC West teams
Mississippi State 5-5
Arkansas 4-3
Texas A&M 4-3
Auburn 3-2
LSU 2-3
Alabama 0-2
Total 18-18
“I have to get back to really thinking about check downs this week and not trying to do too much or trying to have a big game,” he said. “I have to really let it come to me.”
The problem is that Wallace almost certainly has to have a big game if No 11 Ole Miss is going to have a chance to beat No. 3 Alabama (3:30 p.m., ET, CBS). That’s been the one constant in all of the Crimson Tide’s losses over the past few years, huge performances by opposing quarterbacks.
And like Wallace, DePriest is also a third-year starter leading the Crimson Tide defense.
“Once they settle in, you can pretty much see what is coming,” DePriest said. “The plays they run in the beginning are pretty much the plays they are going to run for the game. That’s what I figured out from having been here four years; there really aren’t as many plays as you think. They have their set plays they are going to run and if one is successful, that’s going to be their bread and butter; that’s what they are going to go back to. Once you realize the formation, it’s pretty much set.”
Ole Miss might be 4-0, but has faced Boise State, Vanderbilt, Louisiana-Lafayette and Memphis so far. While Alabama is fifth in the nation in total defense, the other teams are ranked 66th, 121st, 107th, and 87th, respectively.
So it’s really a case of now or never for Wallace.
“I think we’re a different offense than we were last year,” Wallace said. “Our guys have matured. Those young guys, one of their first big tests was going into Alabama and having to play them. Those guys have matured and are making great plays. We’re getting the run game together at the right time. We had a good rushing game last week. We’re just going to go out and play ball and see what happens.”
Christopher Walsh has covered Alabama football since 2004 and is the author of 19 books. In his free time, he writes about college football.
