OLE MISS SENIOR QB BO WALLACE
Stats: 219-of-358, 61.2 percent, 3,085 passing yards, 22 passing TDs, 11 INTs, 26 sacks, 147.7 rating
Big-time game: Is there any question? Obviously, Wallace’s biggest game was against the Crimson Tide. Wallace completed 18-of-31 for 251 yards and threw three touchdowns. He also didn’t turn the ball over in that game, which was huge. That game was Alabama’s only loss and he will forever be remembered for winning it.
Not his best effort: LSU. I know playing in Death Valley at night is brutal, but teams have won there before. LSU had a pretty solid defense, but Bo didn’t play his A game. He was 14-of-33 for 176 yards with one touchdown and one crucial pick. As bad as Ole Miss played, it still had an opportunity to tie or win the game. That last-second bonehead play that resulted in a fair-catch interception by the safety proved to be a dagger. Bo didn’t make a very good decision on that and it cost him the game. This wasn’t his best effort.
Improvements: He has had one of the best careers as an Ole Miss quarterback in the program’s history. This was his best season, rating-wise, in his career. Everyone knows about the Dr. Bo/Mr. Pick, or Good Bo/Bad Bo theme, but I think he played very well. With the exception of that LSU game, he dramatically improved his decision-making. He’s a gunslinger and I respect that.
Strengths: Wallace has the size and the arm talent, there’s no question. He’s also a solid runner. When things break down he has the ability to scramble or throw on the run very well. He’s also pretty durable as he’s played three years in the SEC without being seriously injured. Believe me, that isn’t easy!
Weakness: People will say that his decision-making is his weakness. I can somewhat see the justification, but that’s also based on his playing style. He’s a gunslinger and believes in his arm strength, sometimes to a fault. I think he also needs to become more balanced when he throws as well. There was several instances in which he wasn’t in very good form or balance when throwing.
Overall: He had a very solid senior campaign. Losing his best receiver didn’t help, but he had some big-time games and Ole Miss had a very special season. For the most part, we saw Good Bo.
The Man. The Myth. The Legend.
