Film Study - Allar as a Play-Action Passer

[Obliviax]

PSU has won 34 games in the last three seasons; the staff must be paying some attention to detail.

My mom was a huge football fan and could go toe-to-toe with just about anyone on strategy. She could tell you when you'd run a draw versus a screen to offset the defense's rush. But she never played the game, so she would often watch the Steelers play a poor game and exclaim, "Why don't they try harder?" This isn't golf or track. Other teams have defenses and many of those are pretty damned smart. At the same time, while the QB is clearly the most important poison in college football, he heavily relies on the other 10 people.....21 + if you consider CJF's "situational football".

One of the things about football is how complex it is. In terms of both logic and emotion. So I do wonder why Allar would be considered good at drop back but not play-action. Or, that he can drill the TE but can't complete wide open passes to WRs. It is either a lack of confidence or a lack of trust. Probably a little of both. I think the staff tried like hell to compete passes to WRs early in the season. But by the time we got into the meat of the schedule and in the playoffs, we played to win no matter how we won. In the end, the WR completions never developed. But I think the least of the problem is Allar because, as I've said, the kid had one of the best completion percentages in all of college football for the regular season. Why not WRs? My guess is that it was minimally him. I think the WRs were either lazy or were easily run off their routes. That caused Allar to have to throw late (once he SAW the break because he couldn't anticipate it). That, then, caused him to be late with his secondary and tertiary reads.

 

[Wallace Breen]

The o-line pretty much dominated teams like Illinois, Oregon and ND last season; it probably was the best o-line that PSU has had since the mid 90s, and should be one of the best in the country in 2025. I mean, PSU had two 1000 yard rushers in 2024 with a limited passing attack. They also protected Allar very well. I don't know what more you expect of them; almost every other program in the country would gladly trade their o-line for PSU's in 2025.

The line did not dominate Oregon or Notre Dame. Go look at the defense Oregon played. Zero 7 man fronts much less 8. They used a safe defense because they knew that we had no chance of winning. Notre Dame was a game of two haves. Golden figured out Andy's gimmicks by half time and the so-called domination ended. We had two 1000 yard rushers because we played the easiest schedule we have played since before joining the Big Ten. We probably had the 8th or 9th best line in the super sized Big Ten.

 

[Wallace Breen]

PSU has won 34 games in the last three seasons; the staff must be paying some attention to detail.

Or we played the easiest schedules we have played since joining the Big Ten by a country mile with 24 being the easiest. In reality, we are probably about as good as we were in 2021. We played a real schedule (still easy by historical standards (93 whenever they went to divisions) and lost 5 games with only one being impacted by Clifford's injury.

 

[PSU4U]

You have to be under center for it to work with any consistency.

And this year there have been whispers of at times playing a version of the triple option.

 

[91Joe95]

And this year there have been whispers of at times playing a version of the triple option.

I'm sure we'll see it the first 2-3 games, it'll work, and then we'll never see it again.

 

[PSU4U]

I'm sure we'll see it the first 2-3 games, it'll work, and then we'll never see it again.

I have always liked the triple option inside the 10-yard line for a play or two and it's easy to throw off the triple option when they are expecting run. I especially like the wishbone inside the 5 YL.

 

[91Joe95]

I have always liked the triple option inside the 10-yard line for a play or two and it's easy to throw off the triple option when they are expecting run. i Especially like the wishbone inside the 5 YL.

If that's a big part of the offense then I'm fine with it. My concern is if it's not run often enough putting the ball out there on a pitch can 1) be erratic because of nerves/not running it enough or 2) with all the defenders in a small area one of them getting a hand on the pitch, either of which can quickly and easily become a negative play or a fumble.

 

[Delcolion915]

They still need to find him another receiver in the portal. And James needs to STFU about how he has the talent already on the roster because he ran that same b.s. out there last year about them. Not one of these guys outside of Ross and Hudson was good enough to beat out those jabronies we ran out there last year that cost us a national championship. Not one.

 

[bcspsu]

They still need to find him another receiver in the portal. And James needs to STFU about how he has the talent already on the roster because he ran that same b.s. out there last year about them. Not one of these guys outside of Ross and Hudson was good enough to beat out those jabronies we ran out there last year that cost us a national championship. Not one.

IMO, they need to bring in another d tackle and receiver and, despite them only intending to play two linebackers in the defense, another linebacker. If they can do that with players who can contribute, then I'll be satisfied with the makeup of this team because, although very few if any teams ever are totally complete, this would be a pretty complete team.

 

[bcspsu]

If that's a big part of the offense then I'm fine with it. My concern is if it's not run often enough putting the ball out there on a pitch can 1) be erratic because of nerves/not running it enough or 2) with all the defenders in a small area one of them getting a hand on the pitch, either of which can quickly and easily become a negative play or a fumble.

Almost every fumble by Allen or Singleton, not that there were many, occurred during the handoff during some intricate maneuver, like in the Fiesta Bowl, so your concern is justified.

 

[PSU4U]

If that's a big part of the offense then I'm fine with it. My concern is if it's not run often enough putting the ball out there on a pitch can 1) be erratic because of nerves/not running it enough or 2) with all the defenders in a small area one of them getting a hand on the pitch, either of which can quickly and easily become a negative play or a fumble.

It's absolutely a learned skill that must be practiced a lot and is still high risk IMO that's why in these days you use it wisely. We are going to be a run first team so I can see it happening but probably not a lot.

 

[Waltwam]

Enjoyed the video. At the end of the day though, who does this fall on? The lazy run fakes. The awkward footwork. Attention to detail stuff. Is this a Drew problem or a QB development problem with the coaching staff?

I think if it was a QB development problem, you wouldn't see instances where his footwork and fakes were perfect. In fact at one point the narrator refers to the perfect play call which should have been a completion for a big gain, but Drew erred! I guess most would just blame Franklin!

 

[PSU4U]

I think if it was a QB development problem, you wouldn't see instances where his footwork and fakes were perfect. In fact at one point the narrator refers to the perfect play call which should have been a completion for a big gain, but Drew erred! I guess most would just blame Franklin!

The problem with DA is his regression when playing against teams like MI OSU ND. In tight games he seems to go backwards in his maturation. People can blame the Receivers Franklin who ever and whatever, but DA is the one constant. Hopefully in big game this year DA will pull mind and body together in ever game. He doesn't have to be perfect, but he does need to make those clutch throws when it counts and not miss the easy ones.

 

[Obliviax]

The problem with DA is his regression when playing against teams like MI OSU ND. In tight games he seems to go backwards in his maturation. People can blame the Receivers Franklin who ever and whatever, but DA is the one constant. Hopefully in big game this year DA will pull mind and body together in ever game. He doesn't have to be perfect, but he does need to make those clutch throws when it counts and not miss the easy ones.

I don't agree. The defenders faced against MI, OSU and ND are much much better. And this is both in terms of scheme and athletics. The window of opportunity is much smaller.

What makes no sense is why the passing game to TE and Backs is just fine but not to WRs. And that brings me to the conclusion that DA, perhaps the staff, has low confidence in the WR corp.

And that makes sense. Why? A good WR passing game requires the QB to throw the ball when he sees how the defender is playing the WR as the WR goes into his break. There has to be trust, synchronization, and consistency. If the WR is easily thrown off his route, if the WR is inconsistent in his breaks, if the WR runs lazy routes one time and crisp the next, these are all things that cause a QB to a) aim the ball and b) be late with his delivery.

That isn't to say that DA is perfect. As you point out, his game performance (especially his mechanics) were poor against the better teams. IMHO, this happens when a player tries to do too much. When he tries to play above his normal comfort zone. He is pressing. That leads me back, again, to my original conclusion. Against these better defenses, he doesn't trust that his WR will be in the place he expects them to be so he over compensates.

 

[PSU4U]

I don't agree. The defenders faced against MI, OSU and ND are much much better. And this is both in terms of scheme and athletics. The window of opportunity is much smaller.

What makes no sense is why the passing game to TE and Backs is just fine but not to WRs. And that brings me to the conclusion that DA, perhaps the staff, has low confidence in the WR corp.

And that makes sense. Why? A good WR passing game requires the QB to throw the ball when he sees how the defender is playing the WR as the WR goes into his break. There has to be trust, synchronization, and consistency. If the WR is easily thrown off his route, if the WR is inconsistent in his breaks, if the WR runs lazy routes one time and crisp the next, these are all things that cause a QB to a) aim the ball and b) be late with his delivery.

That isn't to say that DA is perfect. As you point out, his game performance (especially his mechanics) were poor against the better teams. IMHO, this happens when a player tries to do too much. When he tries to play above his normal comfort zone. He is pressing. That leads me back, again, to my original conclusion. Against these better defenses, he doesn't trust that his WR will be in the place he expects them to be so he over compensates.

I think part of his problem was he had no faith in those receivers but that's not an excuse for not being able be better against a better defense. A guy with all the praise DA gets he doesn't play up to the expectations of a five star QB. That's why Franklin said, and I think he was being dead honest that DA had to improve at everything.

DA will be a first day pick next year solely based on the tale of the tape and arm strength. But a lot of teams will shy away unless he becomes a bargain in the second round because of the way he hasn't been able to win against equal or better teams. I hope he pulls it all together this year because PS will only go as far as Alar and the running game will take us. So at least to some degree we disagree.

 

[Obliviax]

I think part of his problem was he had no faith in those receivers but that's not an excuse for not being able be better against a better defense. A guy with all the praise DA gets he doesn't play up to the expectations of a five star QB. That's why Franklin said, and I think he was being dead honest that DA had to improve at everything.

DA will be a first day pick next year solely based on the tale of the tape and arm strength. But a lot of teams will shy away unless he becomes a bargain in the second round because of the way he hasn't been able to win against equal or better teams. I hope he pulls it all together this year because PS will only go as far as Alar and the running game will take us. So at least to some degree we disagree.

I think he did play up to expectations. Especially when you consider he was 20 years old. Will Howard was 23. Riley Leonard 22. Dillon Gabriel was 23. Penix was 23 and Bo Nix was 24 during their last seasons in college. But one always has to improve.

 

[bcspsu]

I think he did play up to expectations. Especially when you consider he was 20 years old. Will Howard was 23. Riley Leonard 22. Dillon Gabriel was 23. Penix was 23 and Bo Nix was 24 during their last seasons in college. But one always has to improve.

I have hope that he may have a senior season like Pickett had at Pitt, when the latter came from nowhere to be a Heisman Trophy Finalist. That was Pickett's fifth season at Pitt, and up to that point he really hadn't been anything special. Allar has been better in his first three seasons than Pickett was in his first three seasons, so if he can improve as much as Pickett did in his last season then Allar should be one of the best players in the country.

 

[Obliviax]

I have hope that he may have a senior season like Pickett had at Pitt, when the latter came from nowhere to be a Heisman Trophy Finalist. That was Pickett's fifth season at Pitt, and up to that point he really hadn't been anything special. Allar has been better in his first three seasons than Pickett was in his first three seasons, so if he can improve as much as Pickett did in his last season then Allar should be one of the best players in the country.

My personal theory is that Allar is a nice, great kid who thinks too much. I think he just has to play in the moment. When he does that, he's great. He has to know that in every game, he is the best QB on the field.

 

[Obliviax]

 

[bcspsu]

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I like Klubnik and think that he could be the No. 1 pick next season.

 

[PSU4U]

My personal theory is that Allar is a nice, great kid who thinks too much. I think he just has to play in the moment. When he does that, he's great. He has to know that in every game, he is the best QB on the field.

Oddly he seems to be at his best when he has to improvise. Maybe he just puts too much pressure on himself instead of going out there as JoePa used to say " now go out there and have a little fun today"

 

[Wallace Breen]

Oddly he seems to be at his best when he has to improvise. Maybe he just puts too much pressure on himself instead of going out there as JoePa used to say " now go out there and have a little fun today"

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Allar has the look of a 3rd round pick if we are being honest. He has the size and mobility for a long career but he has issues. His mechanics are pretty strong for his age, his footwork is solid and his arm strength is very good. However, his precision (aka, ball placement) on core throws leaves a lot to be desired. Given his solid to good mechanics and footwork, the issue is almost certainly inherent and can't be fully corrected. This means he is limited to a timing based offense where the receiver does most of the work which will limit his draft status. This doesn't mean he won't be a successful QB but when only a few teams currently use that type of offense, and most of them want mobile quarterbacks, it limits the chances of being drafted high.

 

[Obliviax]

Allar has the look of a 3rd round pick if we are being honest. He has the size and mobility for a long career but he has issues. His mechanics are pretty strong for his age, his footwork is solid and his arm strength is very good. However, his precision (aka, ball placement) on core throws leaves a lot to be desired. Given his solid to good mechanics and footwork, the issue is almost certainly inherent and can't be fully corrected. This means he is limited to a timing based offense where the receiver does most of the work which will limit his draft status. This doesn't mean he won't be a successful QB but when only a few teams currently use that type of offense, and most of them want mobile quarterbacks, it limits the chances of being drafted high.

He had one of the best passing accuracy, completion percentage, in all of the NCAA until the playoffs as a 20 year old with questionable WRs

 

[bcspsu]

He had one of the best passing accuracy, completion percentage, in all of the NCAA until the playoffs as a 20 year old with questionable WRs

I think that a lot of that has to do with the number of “safe” passes that he completes.

 

[Wallace Breen]

I think that a lot of that has to do with the number of “safe” passes that he completes.

Don't forget how soft the schedule was. Easiest since before joining the Big Ten. In fact, the three year run we are on feature the three easiest schedule we have played in a very long time.

 

[bcspsu]

Don't forget how soft the schedule was. Easiest since before joining the Big Ten. In fact, the three year run we are on feature the three easiest schedule we have played in a very long time.

They played nine Big 10 games and a road game at WVU; PSU can’t help it if a lot of the Big 10 teams that they played weren’t good last season. They still played a good Illinois team and a decent Minnesota team on the road, as well as the National Champion. Also, before the season, you would’ve thought that road games at USC and Wisconsin would be difficult, which they were.

The team that won the NC last season also played a Big 10 schedule, and their schedule, except for the road game at Oregon, wasn’t that good either.

 

[Obliviax]

I think that a lot of that has to do with the number of “safe” passes that he completes.

I don’t think other teams are much different

 

[Wallace Breen]

They played nine Big 10 games and a road game at WVU; PSU can’t help it if a lot of the Big 10 teams that they played weren’t good last season. They still played a good Illinois team and a decent Minnesota team on the road, as well as the National Champion. Also, before the season, you would’ve thought that road games at USC and Wisconsin would be difficult, which they were.

The team that won the NC last season also played a Big 10 schedule, and their schedule, except for the road game at Oregon, wasn’t that good either.

That is largely irrelevant. Bad competition results in inflated statistics is my point. Allar is fine in my opinion but very much looks like a day three pick when you really pay attention to his game. We could win a title with Allar but we won't. Too many problem areas on the team including receiver and the least talented front seven in memory.