Clifford plays hard, but have seen this so many times. Offense needs a spark, I say its time to start Allar. Will have two weeks to prepare for Michigan.
Time for a QB change?
- Thread starter NealPaige
- Start date
What coach wouldn’t make a QB change when they’re 5-0 and heading into a game with a top 5 opponent on the road? The coaching brilliance on this board is mind boggling.
Perfect way to deflate Clifford. What happens if Allar throws a few picks?
In the past I have disagreed with how Franklin (failed to) develop backups. Not this year. I think it has been just about right.
Could be that this is the first backup who is truly interchangeable with the starter. I don't feel like there is any greater chance of a turnover when Allar is playing, and I think he looks to be a better passer.
This is one year I would not mind seeing Clifford run more. We have two very capable backups. It's different than most years.
Not today, but if PSU loses to UM and OSU, it's time to pull the plug on Clifford and develop Allar.
There's no way you have Allar make his first start against Michigan--if we go 1-2 the next 3 games and Clifford plays poorly then you might go to Allar.
Yes - let’s sit a 6th year senior of an undefeated team and give a true freshman his first start on the road against a top 4 team in the biggest stadium in North America. Makes complete sense.
Why wont Franklin put Allar in a game when it’s close this guy won’t have any game experience at all next year again Franklin is not a good coach
Same reason no coach on the planet would.
We have seen all Clifford has to offer for 5 plus seasons. He's a good college QB but not a playoff caliber QB so what do we do now, pray? We have 2 super freshman running backs and a 5 star freshman QB who has looked really good so far. Let's take a shot. Play them all and hope Allar won't throw the critical picks that Clifford always seems to throw. He was terrible today. What do we have to lose? Another trip to the do nothing bowl in December won't cut it.
What do we have to lose? We’re 5-0….I could see saying that if we were 3-2, but good lord.
If you wanted to start Allar it was either week 1 or after the next 3 game stretch. Starting him against Michigan just isn't smart or fair to him. This isn't about Clifford being great or not wanting to see Allar. It's about being 5-0 with Michigan and Ohio State coming up.
That would typically be a sign that first read isn't getting open
Yeah that’s positively brilliant play a true frosh in his first start in the Big House. Are you friggin serious?
Clifford is not good enough. A top QB could have Penn State into the playoff, but Clifford isn’t that QB. Maybe Allar is.
But the decision to make Allar the starter needed to happen a game or two ago. At this point, you can’t replace Clifford until after the OSU game at the earliest. But it is frustrating to see Clifford make poor decisions with regularity after all this time.
But the decision to make Allar the starter needed to happen a game or two ago. At this point, you can’t replace Clifford until after the OSU game at the earliest. But it is frustrating to see Clifford make poor decisions with regularity after all this time.
If Allar didn't take a snap today, no, he absolutely will not replace Clifford in 2 weeks vs Michigan outside of injury or Clifford throws 3 INTs and we are down 21+.
I'm not saying that Allar didn't deserve some snaps vs NW, but after watching 2 true freshman fumble 3 drives away I can see the apprehension to even think playing a true freshman at QB was an option today.
So, who is RB #4 now? Tank?
I'm not saying that Allar didn't deserve some snaps vs NW, but after watching 2 true freshman fumble 3 drives away I can see the apprehension to even think playing a true freshman at QB was an option today.
So, who is RB #4 now? Tank?
We will not beat Michigan or OSU with Clifford. At least Allar gives us a shot. When a QB like Clifford can't throw a deep ball it condenses the field and makes everything harder. Clifford doesn't even have the arm strength to hit some mid-range throws. Plus we have some deep ball threats where Allar could get us quick scores/huge momentum plays in a game where we are underdogs.
It's not just about poor decisions, he doesn't have the arm/accuracy.
Are you sure Allar gives the team the best shot in Ann Arbor? I want to see him as much as anyone but realistically he has only played in what is essentially garbage time. That's huge for development but that will mean very little going into the meat of conference play.
JF started the year with Clifford, so the season goes as he does. You just can't pull Clifford now after one bad game. Especially one they won. Yes it was ugly. Last year, they likely lose that game. This team seems to have yanked their head out of their asses and find a way to win when things don't go well.
Yes just wait until t
Clifford has never been good at PSU, It's not about 1 game. He can make easy throws yes, but he has been horrendous on deep balls, or with pressure in his face his entire career. There's a reason why Clifford has been awful against good defenses. Good defenses condense the field against him which in turn makes it harder to run the ball as well. Allar has the ability to stretch the field and keep defenses honest. Franklin would never do it, but it gives us the best chance to win. I don't see us beating Michigan with Clifford, eventhough I feel that we really do have the talent to compete with them at all other positions.
Actually the deep balls have been Cliffy’s specialty…if he has time (see White out game 2019)
Ha he's had plenty of time this season. Its a shame too because we have some burners that can really stretch the field and make you pay deep. But with Clifford thats not gonna be in the playbook. I really think our run game is good enough to keep a D like Michigan honest, simplify the playbook for Allar, and throw some bombs.
How many points are we gonna score with Clifford vs. Michigan? 14-17 tops? I don't see Clifford driving us the length of the field vs. Michigan. We really think Allar could do worse? And dont tell me about veteran experience. I'd predict Clifford to throw a pick-6 vs Michigan before I'd predict Allar to throw one.
I don't disagree with your assessment. But 5-0 is tough to argue with.
Allar hasn't had the big game pressure on his shoulders yet. Big difference between starting in Ann Arbor and playing against Ohio, Auburn etc when the game is all but over.
I'm strongly in the camp that wanted to see Clifford move on after last year. But he didn't and JF made him No 1 QB. You just can't make the switch now. Losing to Mich and OSU makes putting in Allar as the No 1 QB much easier.
I know Franklin will stick with Clifford but its not whats best for the team. We'll see if Clifford can make it through the game.
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Clifford should get the start, but I don't think that CJF should be afraid to pull him for ineffectiveness with the game still in doubt if Clifford plays like he did today. I hope he is making sure the young guys get some first-team reps since our last big road matchup ended with Clifford watching from the sidelines.
I expect we'll see a better Clifford than we saw today in two weeks.
Clifford has been benched before and came back to play better. See, 2020. If you don't want to bench Cliff that's fine, but you need a different reason than the one you are referring to.
Agree here. It's just....lol....sigh. You keep hoping Clifford becomes something he's not lol.
Cliff was brought back to steer the ship until its destination is determined. I'm not willing to bet that the results in two hostile environments would have been the same throwing Allar into the deep end of the pool.
I know how incredibly bazaar this sounds.....but.....perhaps when the staff thinks its "Allar" time they will make that judgement based on their observations in practice?
This team was predicted to win 8.5 games by the "experts." Just because some random fanboys think "we deserve better," and insist the only issues holding "us" back are the QB and coaching, doesn't make it accurate.
Any sane observer of the college football landscape would see that Georgia, OSU, and Alabama ...perhaps Michigan are on one level. There are 15 teams at the next level....just playing the schedule to see if they end stock up or down. PSU is in that group.
PSU has a puncher's chance.....perhaps better vs Michigan. This is a team growing around some pretty talented true and red shirt freshman.
I thought 8 wins would be something to build on. Because of 5-0, I'll add one and pray for two.
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Anyone who thinks the true freshman should replace the 6th year senior, soon to be every QB stat metric school record holder, while the team is 5-0 and in the top 10 should do themselves and everyone around them a favor and quit watching football.
Ludicrous lack of football knowledge and understanding.
Ludicrous lack of football knowledge and understanding.
Not only lack of knowledge and understanding......but the best analogy I can think of to describe it would be how my late wife would admonish me when I tried to make sense of some disagreement..."DON'T TELL ME HOW TO FEEL!"
Which Quarterback would Saban be starting? Allar and its not even close. Remember Franklin chose Clifford over Levis and Stevens. Hackenberg over McSorely. He's too loyal with his bad QBs and doesnt effectively evaluate them bc of it.
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