Making the case for Penn State making a run at a Big Ten Championship in 2023

Penn State has one of the most talented rosters in college football heading into the 2023 season. All that’s left is to go out on the field and contend for a Big Ten Championship.

On3’s director of scouting Charles Power discussed Penn State’s loaded roster and championship aspirations on the “Paul Finebaum Show” on Friday. While Michigan and Ohio State stand in the way, Power likes the Nittany Lions as a pick to win the Big Ten East and make the College Football Playoff.

“So I think the Big Ten East is going to be really fun to watch with Michigan returning after the College Football Playoff, Ohio State’s always loaded, and I think Penn State is kind of an ascending team, at least from a talent perspective. They have to do it on the field,” Power said, “but they’re one I’m watching for sure as a potential College Football Playoff sleeper.”

Penn State’s roster is the root of Power’s confidence. In On3’s ranking of the Top 100 players in college football for the 2023 season, Penn State had two players in the Top 10, five in the Top 50 and six in the whole list.

And that doesn’t include former five-star quarterback Drew Allar, who could quickly ascend as one of the best signal callers in the conference.

“Start off with Olu Fashanu, I think he would’ve had a chance to be the top offensive tackle drafted in this draft. He chose to come back for his senior year. Kalen King is the No. 2 corner, behind Kool-Aid McKinstry. I think Drew Allar is one of the most important players in college football, the former five-star quarterback who is the presumed starter, taking over for Sean Clifford. He’s a guy who I think could really take off in his first year as a starter,” Power said.

He also lauded Penn State’s rushing attack and the sophomore running back tandem the Nittany Lions will run out.

“And I think they have probably the best running back duo in the country,” Power said. “Two true sophomores: Nick Singleton, former five star, I think he’s a guy who could take off and maybe if Penn State makes a run, be in the Heisman race, and Kaytron Allen. They’ve both really upgraded Penn State’s rushing game. You remember what Penn State’s offense was like in 2021, they could barely run the ball at all. They ran the ball really well last year with two true freshmen running backs.”

If the Penn State coaching staff can get all the talent pointed in the right direction on the field, Power thinks there’s a chance that neither Michigan or Ohio State are Big Ten Champions come early December.

“I’m really high on Penn State’s talent nucleus. They have a ton of young talent. And I think it’s guys who are sophomores, juniors. Ones who had breakout freshman years,” Power said. “I think they’re going to make the Big Ten East very interesting this year.”