Drew Allar Shines in Penn State-Oregon Spotlight as Beau Pribula Impresses at Missouri Competition The Athletic

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Drew Allar Shines in Penn State-Oregon Spotlight as Beau Pribula Impresses at Missouri Competition The Athletic

Top-Ranked Penn State Prepares for Oregon Showdown Amid Quarterback Controversy

Penn State’s Season of High Stakes

The Penn State Nittany Lions, currently ranked third in the nation, are set to host No. 6 Oregon on Saturday. This game is crucial for head coach James Franklin and quarterback Drew Allar as they seek to answer lingering questions. With former backup quarterback Beau Pribula thriving at Missouri, this season is shaping up to be one of high expectations and potential redemption for Penn State.

Pribula’s Success at Missouri

After transferring to Missouri, Beau Pribula has led the Tigers to an unbeaten start and a No. 20 national ranking. His performance has been impressive, statistically outplaying Penn State’s Allar. Currently, Pribula ranks 28th among FBS quarterbacks with a passer efficiency rating of 161.38, while Drew Allar lags behind at 76th. These numbers have raised questions about Penn State’s quarterback choices and what could have been if Pribula had remained.

Pribula’s completion rate: 72% with 8.3 yards per attempt
Allar’s completion rate: 64.8% with 7.1 yards per attempt

Challenges for Penn State and Allar

Despite being undefeated, Penn State has yet to truly be tested on the field. Their offense has struggled with consistency, converting just 39% of third downs, placing them 77th in the nation. Allar began the season strong but has faltered in the following games, showing a completion rate of only 56% against teams like FIU and Villanova.

Head coach Franklin acknowledges the need for improvement. “We’ve got to help him get into a rhythm and I think third down is a big part of that. We’ve got to be better on third down as coaches. Drew’s gotta be better and all the guys on the field gotta be a little bit better,” Franklin said.

Missouri’s Balanced Attack

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz has praised Pribula’s decision-making and mobility, which complemented the team’s reliance on running back Ahmad Hardy. Hardy’s consistent performance, including four straight 100-yard rushing games, emphasizes Missouri’s balanced offensive strategy.

Debate Over Penn State’s Decisions

The debate over whether Penn State made the right decision in keeping Allar as the starter has intensified. Last season, Pribula was often used as a dynamic change of pace, a role that showcased his athleticism and potential. With Allar’s impressive size and arm strength, he was always seen as the future NFL prospect.

However, the results on the field have prompted some second-guessing. Penn State’s offensive strategies have been conservative in earlier games, raising queries about whether parts of their playbook are being saved for significant matchups.

Future Prospects and Saturday’s Clash

This weekend’s matchup against Oregon is pivotal. A win for Penn State and a standout performance by Allar could put many doubts to rest. Yet, should they falter, the success of Pribula at Missouri will undoubtedly continue to be a point of conversation for both fans and analysts alike.

Both quarterbacks are navigating their own paths, adding layers of intrigue to this season for Penn State and college football followers. As these narratives unfold, the pressure mounts and the stakes only grow higher for the Nittany Lions.