James Franklin: Drew Allar is ready for biggest game of career

Penn State football has looked like one of the best teams in the nation through the midway point of the season. But that theory will be put to the test this week. The No. 7 Nittany Lions travel to take on No. 3 Ohio State in what is expected to be one of the premier college football games of the year. While a win or loss on Saturday will be a team effort, the man who carries an unequal share of that burden is QB Drew Allar. Following last week’s rout of UMass, head coach James Franklin explained why his first-year starter is ready for the biggest start of his young career.

Is this the year the Nittany Lions take down the Buckeyes?

Penn State football crushed UMass 63-0 this weekend. But really, almost everyone has been fixated on Saturday’s matchup against Ohio State for the last two weeks. 

If there’s a time for Penn State to finally take down the Buckeyes in Columbus, many think it has to be now. For the first time in a long time, it feels like the Nittany Lions have the top-to-bottom talent to match Ohio State. Specifically at QB, many Penn State football fans feel Drew Allar has the skill set to elevate the Nittany Lions to be among the elite teams in the sport. 

Allar has looked like a player poised beyond his age through 6 starts. The sophomore QB has completed 65% of his passes for 1,254 yards this season. Allar touts a perfect 12-0 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 2023. He has still yet to commit a turnover in his Penn State career and maintains the longest active streak for the most consecutive passes without an interception. 

Drew Allar is in an “ideal situation” ahead of Ohio State

In short, Drew Allar is in a good spot. Following the win against UMass, James Franklin explained why Allar is set up for success.

“I think it’s been an ideal situation,” Franklin said of Allar’s play. “We’ve been able to get a first-time starter a ton of experience with normal downs, two-minute situations, and third-down situations. [We’ve] been able to be balanced and been able to run and throw.”

“It’s an ideal situation with an offensive line that’s playing really well,” he continued. “With a left tackle that’s playing well. With a running game that’s effective. With experience at the tight end position… He’s [Allar] been in a ton of different situations last year as a true freshman, but still got into almost every game, and a lot of times in some challenging situations like the first game at Purdue. And then this season [too].

James Franklin explains why his QB is ready for the biggest game of Penn State’s season

While Drew Allar has been extremely impressive this season, Saturday will be a test unlike anything the young QB has faced. 

Statistically, Ohio State has one of the best defenses in college football. Despite injury concerns, the Buckeyes are the first offense Penn State football has played this year that will be able to match it score for score. Although it’s a homecoming for Ohio native, the Horseshoe will be anything but welcoming to Allar. 

Despite the odds, James Franklin feels good about where Allar stands heading into Saturday. Allar’s consistency makes the Penn State football coach believe he’s ready for the biggest game of his young career.

“The thing that makes me feel good about Drew is that he’s very humble. And his approach is consistent in how he prepares and how he works,” Franklin said. “That’s comforting, as a head coach and as an offensive coordinator, to have guys like that.”

But ultimately, Franklin recognizes that there’s much work to be done this week if the Nittany Lions want to leave Columbus victorious. “We’re going to have to get better every week this season for us to go where we want to go,” he said.

Saturday’s epic showdown between Penn State and Ohio State will kick off at noon on FOX.

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