Joel Klatt breaks down whether Beau Pribula or Drew Allar gives Penn State the best chance against Ohio State
The Ohio State Buckeyes are looking to move right past an ugly home win against Nebraska as they travel to Happy Valley this weekend. Beating Penn State, who is ranked one spot ahead of the Buckeyes in the AP Poll, would instantly bring back the National Championship expectations that existed before their last two games. […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes are looking to move right past an ugly home win against Nebraska as they travel to Happy Valley this weekend. Beating Penn State, who is ranked one spot ahead of the Buckeyes in the AP Poll, would instantly bring back the National Championship expectations that existed before their last two games.
Normally, an injury to a starting quarterback would make a task easier. Especially when Drew Allar, a projected top-10 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, will either not play due to a lower-body injury or will play with the ailment. If Allar is out, then Beau Pribula will be under center for the Nittany Lions.
Given that Ohio State has struggled so dearly with running quarterbacks in the past, FOX Sports college football expert Joel Klatt weighed in as to who should start for Penn State.
Klatt talked about how Pribula sparked the Nittany Lions' run game excelled in the second half. Running for 127 yards at six yards a carry, the debate really began as Penn State walloped Wisconsin after Allar left the game. Klatt acknowledged that while Kaytron Allen and Nicholas Singleton don't particularly need help from a running quarterback, a quality deep thrower helps more.
He expanded, describing that Allar is clearly the more reliable passer of the two, and the coaching staff has decided that he is more valuable for the unit. Pribula has not had the chance outside of practice to show he's capable of throwing downfield and forcing the safeties to respect him.
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Essentially, Klatt concludes that Allar is the best option because he can keep the Nittany Lions' offense more balanced. Pribula would need to overcome what has caused him to not play until an emergency. That doesn't mean he can't, but it is something to consider.
Personally, I think Allar playing is the higher-upside outcome for Penn State, but Buckeye fans should be more terrified of Pribula. With the Buckeyes struggling with basic run-gap discipline and spying tendencies over the years, Pribula can extend drives and torch Ohio State's conservative defense.
