Rick Neuheisel Reveals Biggest Factor For Penn State To Win National Championship

Penn State quarterback Drew Allar threw for 3,327 yards with 24 touchdowns in 2024 while leading the Nittany Lions to the College Football Playoff semifinal round.

Allar then decided to return to Penn State for another year and bypass the NFL draft. As such, Penn State has been commonly viewed as a top-five team, and for good reason. Penn State was No. 3 in the preseason Coaches Poll and No. 2 in the Associated Press preseason poll, so there is plenty of buzz in Happy Valley.

Rick Neuheisel's Biggest Factor For Penn State

On Tuesday night, the CBS Sports College Football crew revealed their predictions for the Big Ten Conference. In the process, former UCLA head coach Rick Neuheisel offered strong praise for Allar, stating that he is their biggest factor this season.

"It's Allar," Neuheisel said. "Allar has to deliver. He's got two 1,000-yard type backs, [Nic] Singleton and [Kaytron] Allen. He's got some new toys at wide receiver, namely that kid from Syracuse, [Trebor] Pena. This is about Drew Allar. He was a 66% passer last year, but dropped to 55% in the playoffs. He's got to play big in the big games. If he does, Penn State can hoist it."

SIngleton had 1,099 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2024 while Allen had 1,108 yards and eight scores, and both Penn State running backs returned. Trebor Pena transferred from Syracuse after recording 84 catches for 941 yards with nine scores in 2024, so there are a lot of weapons in this Penn State offense.

However, Neuheisel said it's up to Allar to take that step forward, especially come playoff time, and he said it's "now or never" for Penn State.

Neuheisel had also picked Penn State to win the Big Ten title.

“I’m embarrassed to say I’ve got the exact same game, and I’m taking Penn State as well,” Neuheisel said. “I think Penn State loses in Columbus, but gets a rematch and gets it done. Big game, James [Franklin] — no more.”

How Allar Performed in the Playoff