Thought experiment: who would you rather have as QB now...Beau or Drew?

[Jerry]

I mean, if you could magically have either one starting this Saturday and the rest of the way.

It's a silly kind of what-if type question but interesting to ponder.

My own answer: Beau...based on the comparative performances of both guys so far this season plus the way he saved the game against Wisconsin last year plus I think he's got an advantage in the department of mental toughness which is critical for a QB.

Too bad Lando isn't around. This post would make his head explode.

 

[sr108]

I mean, if you could magically have either one starting this Saturday and the rest of the way.

It's a silly kind of what-if type question but interesting to ponder.

My own answer: Beau...based on the comparative performances of both guys so far this season plus the way he saved the game against Wisconsin last year plus I think he's got an advantage in the department of mental toughness which is critical for a QB.

Too bad Lando isn't around. This post would make his head explode.

With all due respect, this is a worthless question. Beau is gone. He decided to leave. I wish him well and watch his games when there is no PSU conflict. It would be great if he was still on the team, but he would still be a backup. Why create a nonexistent controversy? Let’s keep pulling for and encouraging Drew. The interception was unfortunate but was not why we lost the game.

 

[Frank Lee]

Beau better reflects Kotelnicki's schemes. Even so, the threat of a running QB keeps the D honest. And Beau being named the starter in spring practice would have made him even better at his trade.

 

[joejohn]

I mean, if you could magically have either one starting this Saturday and the rest of the way.

It's a silly kind of what-if type question but interesting to ponder.

My own answer: Beau...based on the comparative performances of both guys so far this season plus the way he saved the game against Wisconsin last year plus I think he's got an advantage in the department of mental toughness which is critical for a QB.

Too bad Lando isn't around. This post would make his head explode.

Lando is wanking on TOS.

 

[Jerry]

With all due respect, this is a worthless question. Beau is gone. He decided to leave. I wish him well and watch his games when there is no PSU conflict. It would be great if he was still on the team, but he would still be a backup. Why create a nonexistent controversy? Let’s keep pulling for and encouraging Drew. The interception was unfortunate but was not why we lost the game.

Yes, like I said, it's a thought experiment. It won't put Beau back on the roster. Also, I don't think I have the power or audience sufficient to "create controversy." It's just blather on a message board after all.

As for pulling for Drew, believe me, I am. I think we all are. What choice do we have? Some of us said coming into the season that we'll go as far as Drew takes us this year. His performance is the key element. I've seen nothing to change that view.

Agreed that the interception was not the sole reason we lost the game. As I posted here afterward, the loss was a team effort...to include the coaches. Naturally the zebras helped out. They always do.

That said, Drew's performance was poor and that, as much as any single factor, was a critical problem. We're talking about a 5-star recruit in his 3rd year as a starter, pulling down, what is it, $3 million. No need to feel sorry for the guy. And no need to sugar-coat the reality when he doesn't play well. Right now, for example, I think he's ranked #85 on ESPN's QBR chart. Beau is #25. Just saying.

 

[Forester Gump]

I have been underwhelmed by Allar. I am just an observer of the overall game, and I can't get into the nitty gritty of technique. Maybe Allar is a better qb with better mechanics. But, when Beau was on the field, the team was different. It seemed that the line blocked better, the receivers were better and the overall game was better. He has the same "it" qualities that McGloin and McSorley had when they took command of the field. I think Beau showed his stuff last year at the Wisconsin game. Allar reminds me of Hackenberg. All the mechanics but not the command quality needed to bring a team together.

Sometimes I have to wonder about why coaches release some players over others. Ohio State got rid of Burrows, who had an exceptional year. Penn State released Levis and Stevens and they both had productive college careers. I think there's a lot of politics involved with sports teams. Coaches latch on to certain players and shun others. Its not just a PSU thing.

That brings us to the receivers. We've had receivers that can't seem to get open enough for Allar to look in their direction. We've had some portal to other teams and have had good years. Is it coaching or a qb/reciever thing?

 

[LionDeNittany]

I have been underwhelmed by Allar. I am just an observer of the overall game, and I can't get into the nitty gritty of technique. Maybe Allar is a better qb with better mechanics. But, when Beau was on the field, the team was different. It seemed that the line blocked better, the receivers were better and the overall game was better. He has the same "it" qualities that McGloin and McSorley had when they took command of the field. I think Beau showed his stuff last year at the Wisconsin game. Allar reminds me of Hackenberg. All the mechanics but not the command quality needed to bring a team together.

Sometimes I have to wonder about why coaches release some players over others. Ohio State got rid of Burrows, who had an exceptional year. Penn State released Levis and Stevens and they both had productive college careers. I think there's a lot of politics involved with sports teams. Coaches latch on to certain players and shun others. Its not just a PSU thing.

That brings us to the receivers. We've had receivers that can't seem to get open enough for Allar to look in their direction. We've had some portal to other teams and have had good years. Is it coaching or a qb/reciever thing?

Our receivers can't be that bad. Just not possible

 

[Frank Lee]

I have been underwhelmed by Allar. I am just an observer of the overall game, and I can't get into the nitty gritty of technique. Maybe Allar is a better qb with better mechanics. But, when Beau was on the field, the team was different. It seemed that the line blocked better, the receivers were better and the overall game was better. He has the same "it" qualities that McGloin and McSorley had when they took command of the field. I think Beau showed his stuff last year at the Wisconsin game. Allar reminds me of Hackenberg. All the mechanics but not the command quality needed to bring a team together.

Sometimes I have to wonder about why coaches release some players over others. Ohio State got rid of Burrows, who had an exceptional year. Penn State released Levis and Stevens and they both had productive college careers. I think there's a lot of politics involved with sports teams. Coaches latch on to certain players and shun others. Its not just a PSU thing.

That brings us to the receivers. We've had receivers that can't seem to get open enough for Allar to look in their direction. We've had some portal to other teams and have had good years. Is it coaching or a qb/reciever thing?

You are most likely correct. Politics and a touch of insecurity that comes from the enormity of the job. Stick with players and schemes because making changes conveys incompetence.

 

[Jerry]

I have been underwhelmed by Allar. I am just an observer of the overall game, and I can't get into the nitty gritty of technique. Maybe Allar is a better qb with better mechanics. But, when Beau was on the field, the team was different. It seemed that the line blocked better, the receivers were better and the overall game was better. He has the same "it" qualities that McGloin and McSorley had when they took command of the field. I think Beau showed his stuff last year at the Wisconsin game. Allar reminds me of Hackenberg. All the mechanics but not the command quality needed to bring a team together.

Sometimes I have to wonder about why coaches release some players over others. Ohio State got rid of Burrows, who had an exceptional year. Penn State released Levis and Stevens and they both had productive college careers. I think there's a lot of politics involved with sports teams. Coaches latch on to certain players and shun others. Its not just a PSU thing.

That brings us to the receivers. We've had receivers that can't seem to get open enough for Allar to look in their direction. We've had some portal to other teams and have had good years. Is it coaching or a qb/reciever thing?

Honestly, I have the same question regarding our wide receivers. I don't get it. I watch other games involving (on paper) lesser teams...lesser QBs...lesser receivers...and I see WRs getting separation and QBs making throws to hit them at least some of the time.

I'm not an expert. I wouldn't presume to speak to the fine points of mechanics or technique or pattern-running or even play-calling. All I know is what I see with my two baby-blue eyes. And I'm not the only one mystified. At halftime of Saturday night's game, Michael Robinson was at a total loss. Where are the wide receivers, he asked.

Then again, I also see Drew throwing behind guys in short routes. Yet the ball he hit to Devonte Ross for the TD was beautiful. Devonte was also the WR who made an incredible catch for a TD against FIU. Devonte looks for real. Maybe we should call his number more often.

 

[bdroc]

I mean, if you could magically have either one starting this Saturday and the rest of the way.

It's a silly kind of what-if type question but interesting to ponder.

My own answer: Beau...based on the comparative performances of both guys so far this season plus the way he saved the game against Wisconsin last year plus I think he's got an advantage in the department of mental toughness which is critical for a QB.

Too bad Lando isn't around. This post would make his head explode.

I wanted Allar to turn pro and have Beau stay but a lot of my thinking was that we would have had Beau for 2 years.

Would I rather have Beau this year? That's a tough question. Let's see how he does in 2 weeks vs Alabama.

 

[bdroc]

Sometimes I have to wonder about why coaches release some players over others. Ohio State got rid of Burrows, who had an exceptional year. Penn State released Levis and Stevens and they both had productive college careers. I think there's a lot of politics involved with sports teams. Coaches latch on to certain players and shun others. Its not just a PSU thing.

Letting Levis and Stevens go was a much easier decision than letting a $3 million starting QB go.

 

[Bison13]

While not a football coach at this level, I’ve got enough coaching experience in multiple sports to say this, any Coach worth a hill of beans plays the quarterback who does the best at practice. It definitely seems like the team agrees that Drew is the guy who is the best practice so he’s got to be a quarterback. From my own personal viewing of Drew and Beau, I agree. Beau was not even as accurate as Drew during practice though it seems that whether it be due to coaching, play calling or his head, Drew hasn’t managed to be The same game player as he is in practice.

 

[27Pellis]

I mean, if you could magically have either one starting this Saturday and the rest of the way.

It's a silly kind of what-if type question but interesting to ponder.

My own answer: Beau...based on the comparative performances of both guys so far this season plus the way he saved the game against Wisconsin last year plus I think he's got an advantage in the department of mental toughness which is critical for a QB.

Too bad Lando isn't around. This post would make his head explode.

I think, and always thought, that Beau could be the better college QB. He is more of a complete athlete and , as I related in an earlier post, has some McSorley and McGloin in him…..and that’s a big deal. —Allar is truly gifted with arm strength, and is a great kid ( and will likely be the better pro), but I think Allar and the team missed Beau last Saturday. He brings another element for the defense to scheme for. The only times the Penn State offense was effective was when Allar threw them a curveball and ran the ball by scrambling or pulled it in an RPO. This loosened the Oregon defense. —Pribula could have provided that from quarter one. —But, as I said, Allar will very likely have the better pro potential

 

[Lazy Dave]

Missouri is an interesting team right now. Perhaps we would like to have their OL? Hardy has 730 rushing yards. His backups have 350 and 200. Beau has thrown for 500 more yards than Allar.

One hard truth: what AK did at Kansas fits Beau more than it does Allar.

 

[Jerry]

While not a football coach at this level, I’ve got enough coaching experience in multiple sports to say this, any Coach worth a hill of beans plays the quarterback who does the best at practice. It definitely seems like the team agrees that Drew is the guy who is the best practice so he’s got to be a quarterback. From my own personal viewing of Drew and Beau, I agree. Beau was not even as accurate as Drew during practice though it seems that whether it be due to coaching, play calling or his head, Drew hasn’t managed to be The same game player as he is in practice.

Bison, I think you make a valid point, but my "thought experiment" was the magical choice between Drew and Beau at this moment, based not on last year's practices but this year's game performances.

Also, I tend to think some guys get the benefit of the doubt in practice...especially when they're 5-star recruits considered sure-thing elite quarterbacks as Drew was. I mean, let's face it, there is a certain coaching bias regarding such players, which is not surprising.

All this said, I've never been a coach at any level so certainly respect your take on the question.