Quarterback Drew Allar defends James Franklin and Penn State football

A cloud of doubt still looms over Penn State football. The previous No. 2 team in the preseason is unranked after losing to UCLA in Week 5 and questions of the Nittany Lions (3-2, 0-2 Big Ten) even being in playoff contention rose immediately.

Quarterback Drew Allar was quick to say after the loss that his team still has a shot at making the playoffs. On Wednesday, he told Joe Smeltzer and The Daily Collegian's Lyle Alenstein that his belief in his team and head coach James Franklin still hasn't wavered.

Drew Allar stands behind James Franklin no matter the circumstance

According to Smeltzer, the third year starting quarterback said no outside noise will place seeds of doubt in his mind regarding Franklin.

"I know he's getting a lot of criticism, and nobody knows what he's going through outside of him," Allar said. ". . . there's no coach in the country I'd rather go out and play for Saturday."

Allar standing 10 toes behind his head coach is critical in these questionable times for Penn State. After losing to UCLA, Franklin was instantly thrown onto the hot seat by fans and media alike. Losing to top ranked teams always sparks conversations, but a loss to an unranked and winless team ignited fury.

Drew Allar believes his team can rebound from loss to UCLA

Sticking together was an emphasis for the Nittany Lions after losing to Oregon and then again after losing to the Bruins. Franklin said in his Monday press conference that despite calls for Penn State to divide after that loss, he challenges himself, his coaching staff, and his players to remain one unit moving forward.

For Allar, he embraced that mindset and said to Alenstein that he and the other leaders for the Nittany Lions focus on staying together as a group. While disappointment is a natural feeling in the locker room after Week 6, there is no thought to give up on one another.

"I think more just motivated than ever because of everything that's transpired. I think we're [an] extremely motivated group," Allar said. "I think we got a great group of leaders that are going to be able to help us rebound from this."

During Wednesday's practice, more players expressed their confidence in the team. They said to media that they are pushing each other to be more competitive and focus on the "1-0" mindset instilled in them by the coaching staff.

Allar and the Nittany Lions aim to use this drive against Northwestern on Saturday, Oct. 11.