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A game-by-game look at Bo Wallace and his two alter egos, Dr. Bo and Mr. Pick.
Is Mr. Pick dead? Has Dr. Bo finally figured out the formula to keep the ugly head of Mr. Pick from surfacing during games? After watching his performance against Texas A&M, it certainly looks like he has at least found a way to keep Mr. Pick in the shadows for now. Wallace led the Rebels on two early scoring drives. Ole Miss and Bo Wallace could have easily had a bit of a hangover after taking down Alabama, but one quarter into this game, it was clear the Rebels were ready for the challenge.
Dr. Bo came out firing and led the Rebels on two first quarter scoring drives, running for TDs on both occasions. The first scoring drive (Mississippi’s second drive of the game) featured two 20-yard+ completions from Wallace before he scored himself by running to the right and diving into the end zone. On Ole Miss’ next drive, Wallace went 4 of 4 completing passes of 18, 11, 5, and 18 yards. The 99-yard drive was capped by Wallace once again running for a TD, this time from 10 yards out.
It has become clear that when Wallace is comfortable, he can do whatever he wants on the field. He has had the luxury of Ole Miss being a very capable running team as well. Similarly, Dr. Bo has formed such a tight connection with Laquon Treadwell that any time a DB gives him any room, Wallace whips the ball out to Treadwell for an easy 5-yard gain. Treadwell is athletic enough that often times he will make the first man miss and get extra yards after the catch. Another favorite of these two is the back shoulder throw, which has become one of Dr. Bo’s most potent weapons, as he makes that throw better than anyone in the league.
Wallace did make a couple of forced throws that could have been picked off, but the Aggies were unable to hang onto the ball. One thing that he seems to be doing though, is not allowing a near-pick disrupt his decision making process going forward. Late in the third quarter Wallace forced a throw, and A&M probably should have intercepted it. However, on the next play Wallace was able to scramble, get out of the pocket and jump/stretch for a first down. Granted, no coach really wants their QB going airborne ever, but this was a great play, which allowed Ole Miss to continue their drive and move the chains.
For much of the game, it seems like Ole Miss was keeping most of the throws in the mid-range length, having Wallace manage the risks he took, plus having a good number of designed runs for the QB. With time running out in the third quarter and Ole Miss driving, Wallace was back in the shotgun in a 5-wide set. From there he stood tall in the pocket and fired a perfect ball to his WR Quincy Adeboyejo for a 33-yard TD. This was really the first time Ole Miss looked deep down the field since their second drive of the game.
It certainly seems as if Wallace has been making much better decisions of late and that is the sort of thing that breeds more good decisions. The coaching staff has done a great job of mixing designed runs for Wallace in with some short and medium passes to open up longer throws, cutting down on opportunities for mistakes. Obviously the season is far from over, but over the course of the last two games, Mississippi’s biggest to date, Wallace has looked better that he has at any other point in his career. Ole Miss fans are undoubtedly hoping that Dr. Bo continues to shine and keeps Mr. Pick in the dark.
Worked for the internet in Los Angeles before being lured back to Florida by SEC football and the promise of a bourbon bar. When he's not internetting or watching football, he's probably out giving himself 4-footers on the golf course.
