Centre County, Pennsylvania (PSF) - It’s time for fans of the Nittany Lions to rejoice. Their best shot at a national championship under James Franklin is now upon them. There’s a reason why many media outlets consider Penn State to be a dark horse candidate to win the Big Ten and bring a championship back to Happy Valley.

#1. Drew Allar

The Sean Clifford era is finally over. Clifford showed flashes for the Nittany Lions and even threw for over 10,000 yards during his tenure. However, with Clifford under center, Penn State could never get over the hump of winning the Big Ten and making the playoff.

Sophomore Drew Allar will take the reigns this fall and has the chance to quarterback a championship-level team. As a true freshman last year, Allar saw limited time behind Clifford but still threw for 344 yards and four touchdowns. He is even touted by some NFL analysts to be the best quarterback in the 2025 draft class.

Allar is an elite talent that energizes an offense. He has an incredible arm and can extend plays from outside the pocket. His biggest asset is his patience and field vision. Allar isn’t afraid to go through multiple reads before finding a receiver he likes and delivering a strike. Allar could be the missing piece that Penn State has longed for.

#2. The running back room

While many consider Michigan and Ohio State to have the best running back rooms in the country, Penn State has a legitimate argument for the slot. The two-headed monster of Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen is a nightmare for opposing defenses.

Sinlgeton’s stats in 2022 speak for themselves. The sophomore rushed for 1,061 yards and 12 touchdowns in his first season. He shoots through gaps like a bullet and handles contact extremely well. He is the lightning to Kaytron Allen’s thunder.

Although Singleton will likely be the starter, Allen will certainly get his share of carries. As the second option last year, Allen still rushed for 867 yards and 10 touchdowns. Where Singleton brings speed, Allen brings power. Trying to stop Allen is like trying to stop a full-speed freight train; you can try, but you’re not going to like how it turns out. For as talented as Drew Allar is, the run game at Penn State might be more dangerous than their passing game.

#3. Defense

Penn State has a ridiculous defense this season. ESPN has the Nittany Lions as the fourth-best defensive unit in the country behind Georgia, Michigan, and Alabama. Chop Robinson and Adisa Isaac are some of the best defensive linemen in the Big Ten and will be the heart and soul of this defense. Cornerback Kalen King is also set to make a major leap in his junior season.

Their defensive metrics also help make the case that Penn State has a championship-level defense. Last year, the Nittany Lions were third in the country in opponent yards per play at four, and ninth in opposing points per game with 18.2. Penn State also had the highest pressure rate in the country on opposing quarterbacks. They have some gaps to fill in the secondary, but the Nittany Lions have the tools to become elite on both sides of the ball.