I am insanely high on the Penn State Nittany Lions college football team. 

I’ve already bet on the Nittany Lions to win Over 9.5 games, to win the Big Ten, to make the College Football Playoff and to win the National Championship. 

I’ve told all my friends to bet the same thing: The roster is loaded on both sides of the ball. 

The defense might be the best in the nation.

Penn State has a top-five defensive line and linebacking corps and the undisputed best secondary.

The Nittany Lions forced more incompletions than any team in college football last season and they return preseason All-American cornerback Kalen King to lead the unit. 

The offense returns more than 80 percent of its receiving and rushing yards last season, alongside a rock-solid offensive line led by future first-round pick Olu Fashanu at tackle.

Nicholas Singleton and Kaytron Allen are an elite one-two running back duo, and Kent State wide receiver transfer Dante Cephas will boost the passing game. 

There’s continuity in the coaching staff, as James Franklin brings back both coordinators (Mike Yurcich on offense and Manny Diaz on defense). 

The Lions check every box except for one — quarterback. But this is where Penn State’s season gets interesting. The Lions are throwing Drew Allar to the fire. 

The highest-rated quarterback recruit in Penn State history is a question mark, but he has the arm talent, physical tools and characteristics to succeed as a college quarterback.

He didn’t post a single interception or turnover-worthy play in 71 dropbacks last season and he made some throws that shocked me. 

With the supporting cast he has, Allar’s ceiling is uncapped.

He’ll have one of the best pass-blocking offensive lines in the nation, an elite run game to fall back on, solid pass-catchers and good play-calling and coaching. 

If Allar fulfills his five-star potential he’ll be one of the nation’s best quarterbacks, leading one of the nation’s best teams. That’s the perfect narrative for a Heisman Trophy winner. 

If Allar plays excellently and the Nittany Lions win the Big Ten or make the College Football Playoff, he’ll be in the conversation for best player in college football. 

I don’t think the 25/1 price on that ticket accurately reflects that chance. I’m buying Penn State stock in every other market, so why not this one? 

Allar is not “just some guy” leading a stacked roster like Cade McNamara was at Michigan.

He has a superstar-level ceiling. And he won’t be hung out to dry by the Penn State offense.

Allar will be well-protected and have weapons to throw to, and Yurcich will know how to maximize his potential and production.

For example, quarterback Sean Clifford peaked once Yurcich was hired, posting 45 touchdowns and 15 interceptions over his final two college seasons.

Allar is much more talented than Clifford and had a year to learn the system under Clifford. 

When looking at potential future bets, I’m always looking for high-variance teams with super high upside. Allar and Penn State fit that bill.

If everything goes right — and I believe everything will go right — expect Penn State to be considered among the nation’s best teams and Allar to be among the nation’s best players.

With that opportunity, a 40/1 Heisman ticket is worth a wager on BetRivers.

This is the best market odds by a wide margin; the rest of the betting market isn’t sleeping quite as much, but still worth betting at 25/1.