Penn State quarterback Drew Allar celebrates with Blue Band members after defeating Florida International in an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, in State College, Pa. (AP Photo/Barry Reeger)

No one will dispute that Drew Allar was not himself last weekend in a 34-0 win over Florida International.

In fact, it may have been his worst performance in a Nittany Lion jersey. It’s in the running for it anyway, alongside last year’s Orange Bowl loss to Notre Dame.

“I just don’t think it was good enough, in general,” Allar said after Saturday’s game.

Allar may have a tendency of being hard on himself at times, but he’s also right on this one.

His stat line — 19-for-33 for 200 yards and two touchdowns — doesn’t suggest it was all that horrific, but it also doesn’t tell the whole story.

He missed some throws that could be considered elementary, and he admitted that he may have been overthinking some situations.

If you are worried about Allar moving forward this season, don’t be. A bad game will happen at times, and he has too much at stake to not figure out his shortcomings.

For starters, everyone knows what the ultimate goal is for Penn State this season.

There is too much talent all around the roster for that title run to not be a possibility. Ask yourself this: Can the Nittany Lions make a championship run without Allar not part of the picture?

My answer is no, even though Ethan Grunkemeyer might have a bright future.

Allar will never admit that he’s thinking about next season and his NFL future, but he is a possible first-round pick.

Next year’s QB class is one of the stronger ones in recent memory, and Allar could be one of the first couple taken, although his stock may have taken a hit after last weekend.

Money may be a little less of a factor now that NIL is a huge aspect of college football, and Allar is definitely getting more than his fair share as the PSU quarterback.

But if he doesn’t figure it out, even more money will be left on the table for him in about seven months.

The next couple weekends will be the perfect time to get himself right.

First there will be another cupcake in Villanova, and if he has a good game this weekend, all will probably be forgotten.

After that, there’s a bye week where Allar can relax and refine his craft even more before he really has to live up to his five stars that he was when he was recruited against Oregon.

It’s not time to completely lose hope on Allar, and PSU will likely ride out the season with him regardless of what happens.

But the next couple weeks will be crucial for him, and there is plenty of incentive for Allar to figure it out in the short-term.

Andy Stine can be reached at astine@altoonamirror.com.