Drew Alllar‘s gutsy performance in the Big Ten championship was nothing short of a rollercoaster of highs and heartbreaks and ended with a crushing game-sealing pick. “I’ve just gotta see the leverage with the DB and give him more of a back shoulder around the body,” Allar took accountability after the game. “It’s gotta be him or nobody.” That’s the kind of trait you want in your QB1. The night was far from being perfect. Penn State came up short, falling 37-45 to No. 1 Oregon in a game that had big runs, clutch plays, and, yeah, some silly mistakes. However, Allar showed why you can still count on him. He kept his team alive with some jaw-dropping throws and a refusal to quit, even when the Ducks were standing on the edge of winning.

All these factors could have probably been the reason the former coach and player, Adam Breneman, showed faith in him. “Drew Allar, probably the second-best quarterback, third-best work in the playoff right now. I mean, the way he’s played, he played well.” Breneman remarked on the latest episode of College Football Power Hour.

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The host of the show asked Adam to say yes or no if he trusted a program based on the quarterback they have. So Breneman was just too quick to say “yes” when the host took Drew Allar’s name. After all, the QB has proven himself. Let’s say for the conference championship game, Allar finished with 20 of 39 passes for 226 yards, two touchdowns, and two gut-punch interceptions. It may not sound so cool stat, but if you watched the game, this dude was just magical.

So, when Oregon jumped out to a 14-3 early lead and when it looked like Penn State might fold. On a third-and-15, with a false start penalty digging the Nittany Lions into a hole, Allar scrambled and found Garrison Wallace just past the sticks. On the same drive, he fired a 22-yard touchdown to Nicholas Singleton to keep Penn State in it.

Moreover, he has so far (in 2024) managed 2668 yards, 18 TDs, and 5 interceptions and is currently holding 11th place with 81.6 QBR. With such talent by his side, where does head coach James Franklin stand?

James Franklin under more pressure after getting an easy path in the playoffs

James Franklin and Penn State finally made the CFP, but in the cruel way of the new extended 12-team format, they are stuck playing extra games instead of getting the semifinal bye they deserve under the old system. Now it’s No. 11 SMU up first at Beaver Stadium, followed by a potential clash with No. 3 Boise State.

Franklin, however, is feeling that pressure to finally get past the quarterfinals and Drew Allar might be his ticket. “I’m proud of Drew.” These were Franklin’s words after they just lost to the No. 1 Oregon Ducks. “He’s grown and gave us a chance to win.” With Allar slinging it and Singleton and Fallen tearing up defenses, the Nittany Lions are built to fight for it.

Who’d have thought that losing the Big 10 title game would work for Franklin? Well, it has. In the first word, they’d be at home against SMU, which is coming off a tough loss against Clemson. If Franklin gets through, the next matchup is against Ashton Jeanty and the Broncos. The Nittany Lions will head to the Fiesta Bowl on December 31. That is still easier compared to facing Georgia or other biggies who have a bye in the first round.