Who is the best quarterback that Michigan football will face this year?

This fall, Michigan football, and rising junior quarterback JJ McCarthy are in the hunt for a third-straight Big Ten Championship and College Football Playoff berth. In the Wolvernes’ way are a number of formidable teams, including the Penn State Nittany Lions and sophomore quarterback Drew Allar, Ohio State and whoever wins their QB battle, and more. So, who is the best QB that the Maize and Blue will face all year?

Many tough challenges on the 2023 Michigan football schedule

Michigan football has a distinct advantage heading into the 2023 college football season when it comes to the Big Ten Championship race. Of the major conference powers (such as Ohio State, Penn State, Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan State, and others), Michigan is the only team with a returning quarterback — a Big Ten title-winning quarterback, for that matter.

That said, just because there are many new faces does not mean that the Wolverines don’t have to face a number of talented quarterbacks this year. So, who is the best QB that Michigan football will see this year?

Penn State football sophomore Drew Allar is the best on Michigan’s schedule in 2023

If you ask me, new Penn State football quarterback Drew Allar is the guy to watch for Wolverines’ fans this year. JJ McCarthy remains the Big Ten’s top quarterback until proven otherwise, which likely won’t happen this year, but Allar is on the rise and should be on everyone’s radar throughout Big Ten country.

Drew Allar was the No. 1 quarterback and the No. 1 player in Ohio for the 2022 recruiting class — last year, Sean Clifford got the bulk of the playing time at quarterback, though Allar shinned when he got the chance. As a freshman, Allar completed 35 passes for 344 yards and four touchdowns with no picks — his 6-foot-5, 243-pound frame is formidable on its own, though he also possesses enough talent to help get the Nittany Lions out of situations that Sean Clifford couldn’t.

Another downside for Michigan football in this matchup is that, unlike the Ohio State game, the Wolverines will face Penn State football on the road — perhaps making the Nittany Lions the Wolverines’ toughest game of the year. Overall, there are a number of very talented quarterbacks throughout Big Ten country, JJ McCarthy included, though when it comes to the best on this year’s Michigan football schedule, I’m picking Penn State’s Drew Allar without thinking twice.

It’s also clear that Michigan football made a solid impression on Drew Allar during last year’s 41-17 victory over Penn State football in Ann Arbor, According to Allar, the Wolverines are the best team he has faced to date.

“It would definitely probably be that Michigan game,” Allar said thing spring via ‘Next Up with Adam Breneman.’ “That was probably the best team that I played against this year. And just going in and playing against those guys, definitely gave me a sense of realization of what it’s like playing that type of team, and I think that really benefited me the rest of the season.”

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