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At least vs. Minnesota,
here's a vote for Allar
By Neil Rudel
nrudel@altoonamirror.com
I say Drew Allar.
Sean Clifford was injured enough at Michigan last week that he didn't finish the game -- a 41-17 rout.
Many have clamored for Allar to replace Clifford, who has not played well in three straight games and endured difficult stretches in others (Purdue, Ohio U).
Clifford hasn't played poorly; he just hasn't played all that well -- which exemplifies his body of work over his long career.
Since leading PSU to an 8-0 start way back in 2019, Clifford is 18-12 as the Lions' QB1 (and 26-13 overall).
But he's no better today than he was four years ago. He's 2-5 vs. Ohio State and Michigan and, in his career, has also lost to Minnesota, Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan State and Arkansas.
However, because of his experience, Clifford gave Penn State its best chance to win at Michigan, where the Lions arrived unbeaten and ranked an overrated No. 10.
He could manage the line of scrimmage and recognize situations better than a true freshman before 110,000.
But did he?
On the Lions' first offensive series, on third-and-1, even I could see from the press box that there was no Michigan defender over the Lions' right guard as Clifford prepared to take the snap.
So what happened? The Lions handed the ball off to Nick Singleton, who was dumped because of a missed block while trying to get the right edge.
Coach James Franklin said Tuesday that Clifford could have audibled. He didn't say should have but his comment clarified he was at least permitted.
"We have a system that allows us to audible or look to the sideline," he said. "But that wasn't necessarily what we were looking for in that situation. Our biggest issue is we got beat on that play at one offensive line position and we didn't come off on a double team on another. Yeah, we have the ability to check."
Clifford, who was actually under center, could have sneaked behind Juice Scruggs and Hunter Nourzad for at least 5 yards. I can't imagine he would have been yelled at for making a first down.
As the game progressed, Clifford made a couple nice plays -- including a 62-yard run that set up the Nits' only offensive touchdown. For the game, though, he was just 7-of-19 for 120 yards. His best pass was a 48-yarder that led to a field goal and a 17-16 lead.
The Lions didn't lose because of Clifford.
But they didn't win because of him, either.
And that's the point.
The lopsided setback has sucked the enthusiasm out of the season.
Yeah, the year they won the Big Ten title, the Lions were smacked at Michigan, just like they have been three times in five trips there under Franklin, who stood by Clifford on Tuesday, saying "Sean has earned the right to be on the field."
I beg to differ. The sixth-year window has changed that dynamic -- especially when there's a potential star freshman in the program.
Franklin showed flexibility and trust by allowing Clifford to return, but it had to be with the understanding he would go to Allar when appropriate.
And -- particularly with Clifford not 100 percent -- it's appropriate.
Yes, Franklin wants to win this week and needs to. Even he can't afford a loss because it could lead to a three-game losing streak and potentially the kind of skid that wrecked last season.
And, certainly, if that happens, you'll see a whole lot of Allar in November.
But that would be a missed opportunity -- just as Franklin botched the chance to play Allar a couple series against Northwestern. Clifford wasn't playing well, and the Lions weren't going to lose.
And they shouldn't lose vs. Minnesota -- not if the defense has an ounce of pride to bounce back from the shellacking it took in the Big House. Minnesota's starting quarterback, Tanner Morgan, is also questionable with an injury.
Saturday night, before a whiteout, would give Allar important experience while Clifford heals up from Michigan.
If Clifford says he's OK, tell him he's not this week and you're going with Allar. Franklin wasn't buying that logic, saying, "That's the wrong signal."
To be clear, I would still plan to start Clifford against the Buckeyes because they're on a different level.
But if Allar plays well against Minnesota, he'd be that much better prepared in case he's needed or in case Clifford struggles vs. OSU -- which there's no reason to believe he won't.
Despite his contact -- and in part because of it -- Franklin is losing the fan base, if he hasn't already.
Playing Allar, the nation's top quarterback recruit who has shown flashes in the short glimpses we've seen so far, could restore some faith.
Most viewed this as a transition year to Allar anyway.
During the Northwestern game, ESPN's Dan Orlovsky -- a former NFL quarterback himself -- commented about the large number of PSU players gracing Sunday rosters. Tellingly, he said: "The only position right now they don't have a guy playing at a pretty good level (in the NFL) is quarterback ... and they believe they have that in Allar."
So start the freshman Saturday night -- for the program's longer-term benefit, not to mention keeping him from thinking about the transfer portal.
It's painful to admit …
Clifford must stay at QB
By Cory Giger
sports@altoonamirror.com
Sean Clifford completed 35-of-52 passes for 361 yards last season at Ohio State, and Penn State trailed the Buckeyes, 27-24, midway through the fourth quarter.
That's it. That's my argument.
You don't have to like my argument.
You don't have to like Sean Clifford. And if you're a big Penn State fan, there's a very good chance you don't like him.
And that's fine. I don't particularly care for Clifford as a quarterback. He is as average as average gets. For me to try and sit here and defend him in any way is, well, it's not going to happen.
What I'm trying to bring to the table here is the reality, which is this: Clifford gives Penn State its best chance to beat Ohio State next week.
Not Drew Allar.
You can rip on Clifford all you want. Go ahead. I won't stop you. It's pulling teeth for me to go to bat for him, because in all honesty, there is no way this guy ever should have been Penn State's starting quarterback for four years.
It's a scathing indictment on James Franklin that he would allow such a ridiculous thing to happen. It would never, ever, ever happen at Ohio State, or Alabama or Clemson, or Georgia or any other program trying to stay or become elite.
But none of that matters in this discussion we are having today.
What we're talking about today is who should start for the Nittany Lions against Minnesota this week. And I will strongly argue that it should be Clifford, as long as he's 100 percent healthy coming off last week's shoulder injury at Michigan.
If Clifford isn't 100 percent, then fine, go to Allar. Because Allar at 100 percent is better than Clifford at 80 percent.
But Clifford did practice Wednesday night, so as of now, there's no reason to believe he's not healthy.
The season isn't over. I know that sounds like I'm being Captain Obvious, but you'd be amazed how many Penn State fans I've heard from this week who have said just that — the season is over, so just start building for the future with Allar.
No.
That's just dumb.
The season is next week against Ohio State. Penn State is 5-1, and if it can somehow find a way to stun the Buckeyes, then a Big Ten title and College Football Playoff berth are still possible.
But first, the Lions have to beat Minnesota this week. And I just have a hard time believing there are Penn State fans out there who think Allar gives the team a better chance to win this game than Clifford.
I know, I know. Here I go again, sounding like I think Clifford is a good quarterback.
He's not. Far, far from it.
But none of you have any idea if Allar is any good. You hope he's good, and you think he could be good because of all the hype. And that's fine. He is the future franchise quarterback.
For these two games coming up, however, Clifford is still the present quarterback.
The last time Penn State played a whiteout game, Clifford completed an astounding 28-of-32 passes for 280 yards and two TDs in a 28-20 win over Auburn last year.
He's been in this environment. He knows how to handle it.
He also had the good game at Ohio State last year, a game the Lions lost, 33-24.
The only thing that matters right now, this week, is beating Minnesota and being in as good of shape as possible when the Buckeyes visit next week.
I do believe Allar should get a chance to play some meaningful series this week, to continue his development in case he's needed next week.
But can Allar beat Ohio State? No.
Can Clifford beat Ohio State next week? No.
The Buckeyes are too good, and the Lions are nowhere near as good as people were hoping last week.
Still, the only chance to hang close with and perhaps stun Ohio State next week is if Clifford has a great game. And part of that involves starting him this week against Minnesota, letting him get into a rhythm and build some confidence that he can carry forward.
Will all of that happen? No, I honestly don't believe so. And I honestly believe Clifford should not have still been Penn State's starting quarterback in year four.
But here we are, and for this week and next, as long as he's healthy, Clifford has to still be the starter to give this team it best chance to win.
Once the Lions lose to Ohio State, we can start having a different discussion about Allar starting. For now, like it or not, Franklin has to stick with Clifford.
Cory Giger covers Penn State for DK Pittsburgh Sports and hosts "Sports Central" weekdays from 4-5 on WRTA. He can be reached at cgsports12@gmail.com.