On Saturday, Nov. 3, Auburn will find out if it actually has a starting-caliber quarterback on the roster.
At his Oct. 30 press conference, Gene Chizik announced the team will start its third and final option as quarterback: Jonathan Wallace.
"We thought, going back and looking at the film and really reviewing it, that he really played well," Chizik said. "That's the decision that we've made, so we're going to forge ahead with that."
The selection comes as no surprise after Wallace's performance last weekend was the only positive to emerge from Auburn's crushing 63-21 loss to Texas A&M.
Wallace finished the game 6-for-9 passing for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
In addition, the freshman rushed for 71 yards on 13 carries.
Wallace only played half the game, but in limited action he turned in the first multi-touchdown game by an Auburn quarterback since junior Clint Moseley's four touchdown performance against Ole Miss on Oct. 29, 2011.
It was also the first time an Auburn quarterback completed at least 66 percent of his passes since Moseley's 41-23 victory over Ole Miss last season.
Wallace had entered the game in relief of junior Clint Moseley and sophomore Kiehl Frazier. Moseley injured his ankle after being sacked on the third play of the game. From there, Frazier and Wallace split time until Wallace connected with tight end C.J. Uzomah on a 27-yard touchdown strike three minutes into the third quarter.
From then on, Wallace was the signal caller and provided a noticeable spark for Auburn's previously idling offensive engine.
According to Chizik, Wallace's success and promotion hasn't changed his mindset in the least.
"Jonathan's one of these guys that's very mature beyond his years," Chizik said. "He prepares that way. He was up here all day yesterday on his own just watching film. Not that that's the first day he's done that. He's just a little bit different."
"He's not into all of the fluff and all of the stuff around what all that means. He just loves football."
On Tuesday, Oct. 30, Chizik acknowledged that Wallace, a three-star recruit, was an "11th hour deal" made at the last second to bring in a local prospect.
However, after his performance against Texas A&M, the Phenix City native showed he can be an SEC quarterback.
Wallace was a long shot to play before the season with Moseley, Frazier and the now-departed Zeke Pike filling the top of the roster.
Now, Wallace has the top spot and a chance to prove he's the answer for Auburn.
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