[CTcard]

our friend Wilner at the Merc had an article comparing Helton's record against FBS teams with and without Darnold, and the conclusion was that he didn't win squat without Darnold.

While the overall premise may be true, there isn't much to go on - yet. 

It's a little too cute to start counting merely from the date he was named permanent head coach in 2015, after having already been acting head coach for 7 games already that season. Either none of 2015 counts (because he hadn't molded that team as head coach) or all of his head coached games from 2015 count. And anyway, the case he wants to make might be stronger including more games.

So, without Darnold, 
In the "all of 2015 counts" scenario the record is: 7-7, 5-7 vs Power 5, 24.6 pts/gm vs Power 5. 
In the "none of 2015 counts" scenario the record is: 2-3, 0-3 vs Power 5, 6.3 pts/g vs Power 5. 


I think it is proper to consider lucking into an great QB when evaluating Helton's record, but not to dismiss those games entirely. Broadly speaking I think that Helton looks better than his three immediate predecessors, and probably 6 of the 7 to precede him. Not sure that is strong praise, however.

[CTcard]

our friend Wilner at the Merc had an article comparing Helton's record against FBS teams with and without Darnold, and the conclusion was that he didn't win squat without Darnold.

While the overall premise may be true, there isn't much to go on - yet. 

It's a little too cute to start counting merely from the date he was named permanent head coach in 2015, after having already been acting head coach for 7 games already that season. Either none of 2015 counts (because he hadn't molded that team as head coach) or all of his head coached games from 2015 count. And anyway, the case he wants to make might be stronger including more games.

So, without Darnold, 
In the "all of 2015 counts" scenario the record is: 7-7, 5-7 vs Power 5, 24.6 pts/gm vs Power 5. 
In the "none of 2015 counts" scenario the record is: 2-3, 0-3 vs Power 5, 6.3 pts/g vs Power 5. 


I think it is proper to consider lucking into an great QB when evaluating Helton's record, but not to dismiss those games entirely. Broadly speaking I think that Helton looks better than his three immediate predecessors, and probably 6 of the 7 to precede him. Not sure that is strong praise, however.