Penn State starts November with a chance to win 10 games; will it play Drew Allar more down the stretch?

On3 imageby:Greg Pickel11/01/22

GregPickel

Penn State opens November with a matchup at Indiana. The Nittany Lions are 6-2 and can win 10 games if it sweeps its final four Big Ten contests. But, the program is out of the College Football Playoff race. And, so, the topic of conversation on Tuesday during James Franklin’s weekly news conference naturally focused on a topic that was bound to come up: Will Drew Allar play more down the stretch?

The former five-star quarterback and current backup quarterback has already burned his redshirt. Penn State has had chances to give him significant snaps in some games so far this season, thanks to large leads. But, there have also been games where the Lions planned to play him more and either did not or could not. So, what will happen moving forward?

Penn State has a plan for Drew Allar

Here’s what Franklin had to say.

“It’s not a decision that I make on my own,” Franklin said. “I want to, whenever there are big decisions like that, I want to make sure that I’m not too close to it. So I had a pretty good conversation with Mike Yurcich obviously. Talked to Manny Diaz about [and Ken Whisenhunt] about it. Talked to Danny O’Brien. I talked to the guys that have been a college or NFL head coach before. We’re going to look at who gives us the best chance to be 1-0 this week and go from there. And, whoever that is based on this week’s practice and preparation. we’ll go with. And, that’s really kind of how it’s been all year long.”

In other words, there is or will be a planned form. But, per the usual, Franklin does not want to reveal it publically and give the Hoosiers any advance insight into the game plan.

“Have had good conversations with a bunch of members of the staff about it,” Franklin said. “Making sure we’re all on the same page, making sure everybody kind of sees it the same way. Obviously, it’s Tuesday. So we haven’t even practiced yet. But, I guess that’s where I struggle a little bit with [the question].

“There’s still a ton of football left to be played. And whoever’s going to give us a chance to be 1-0 this week, and have a chance to win a bunch of games this year, for all the guys in the locker room, that’s who we’re going to go with.”

Penn State-Indiana starts at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. And, all eyes will be on how much Allar plays.

“He has shown to be accurate,” Franklin said. “He can throw from different launch points and angles. And, for a young kid, and Sean has been a big part of this, he’s doing a really good job of preparing.”

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