Penn State quarterback Drew Allar's status is uncertain for the crucial game against No. 4 Ohio State. He exited the matchup against Wisconsin with a lower body injury and attempted to warm up before the second half, but the coaching staff chose to start backup Beau Pribula. Coach James Franklin noted that the decision on Allar would hinge on his ability to play as the game approaches. Notably, Allar's performance this season shows significant improvement under offensive coordinator Andy Kotelnicki, raising the stakes for this pivotal matchup.

By the Numbers
  • Drew Allar's completion percentage increased from 60% to 71% this season.
  • Backup Beau Pribula completed 11 of 13 passes for 98 yards and a touchdown against Wisconsin.
Yes, But

While Allar has shown strong improvement, Pribula's effective performance raises questions about how the offense might adapt if Allar is unable to play. Kotelnicki's success with backup quarterbacks at Kansas suggests that the team could still perform well if required.

State of Play
  • Ohio State ranks No. 8 nationally in passing defense, allowing just 163.1 yards per game.
  • Penn State seeks its first win against Ohio State since 2016, facing a daunting streak of seven consecutive losses.
What's Next

As game time approaches, all eyes will be on Allar's progress. If he is unable to play, Pribula will need to step up, leveraging the momentum from his last performance to keep the game competitive.

Bottom Line

The outcome of this game could be pivotal in the Big Ten Championship race, especially for Penn State, which needs a win to break a long-standing losing streak against a key rival.