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Joe Burrow had an epic season, the best I ever seen from a college QB. Obviously, he improved immensely from his junior season. He also benefited from Joe Brady's scheme his senior year and had NFL caliber receivers to catch his passes. Breaking down his TD passes and comparing them to Herbert's, it's quite a contrast. I'm not trying diminish in any way what Burrow accomplished but trying to show what Herbert had to work with and the impact coaching and scheme can have on a QB.
Burrow 60 passing TDs
Top 2 receivers: 38 TDs or 63% of total
Top 3 receivers: 51 TDs or 85% of total
7 different receivers caught TDs
Herbert 32 passing TDs
Top 2 receivers: 14 TDs or 44% of total
Top 3 receivers: 20 TDs or 63% of total
12 different receivers caught TDs
Edit: I'll add some color to the 2019 season. In 2018, the receivers dropped 52 passes, an astronomical drop rate of around 13%. Top receiver Dillon Mitchell declared early for the draft and was taken in the 7th round by the Vikings. The receiver coach was replaced. Herbert decided to come back for his senior season but the fan base had real concerns about the receiving core. The top returning receiver was TE Jacob Breeland. He had been underutilized throughout his career but was reliable and hung onto the ball. Recruiting had fallen off substantially during the Helfrich regime. Cristobal is an elite recruiter but hadn't made much headway with the receivers until 2019. He signed four 4 star receivers, including Mycah Pittman, younger brother of USC WR Michael Pittman Jr who was drafted in the 2nd round by Indy. Their dad was former NFL RB Michael Pittman who played for the Bucs. A big, athletic receiver from Penn State, Juwan Johnson, came in as a grad transfer. Pittman was making big plays throughout fall camp and there was optimism that he could make an immediate impact. About a week before the season started, Pittman broke his collarbone. Senior starting receiver Brendan Schooler also injured his foot in fall camp. He was scheduled to return midway through the year. He wanted to redshirt instead but the coaches declined so he transferred to Arizona to play football along side his younger brother. So Herbert was down two important receivers to start the season, three if you count Mitchell, which hurt the passing game against Auburn in the opener in Dallas. TE Breeland became the go to guy but blew out his knee halfway through the year. The TEs behind him weren't much of a threat as receivers. Pittman returned but broke his wrist or arm 3-4 games after coming back. He looked good when he was on the field. He did get healthy in time to play in the Rose Bowl. Transfer Juwan Johnson was a specimen but didn't have the greatest hands. He's a terrific blocker, though. The top two receivers were Jaylon Redd and Johnny Johnson. They dropped a ton of balls in 2018 but improved in 2019. Redd is a jitterbug slot guy and probably the fastest receiver. Johnny Johnson was the top outside receiver but not elite by any means. Redd missed the Rose Bowl due to an off field incident. There was little continuity in the receiving core all year long and several younger guys played.
Burrow 60 passing TDs
Top 2 receivers: 38 TDs or 63% of total
Top 3 receivers: 51 TDs or 85% of total
7 different receivers caught TDs
Herbert 32 passing TDs
Top 2 receivers: 14 TDs or 44% of total
Top 3 receivers: 20 TDs or 63% of total
12 different receivers caught TDs
Edit: I'll add some color to the 2019 season. In 2018, the receivers dropped 52 passes, an astronomical drop rate of around 13%. Top receiver Dillon Mitchell declared early for the draft and was taken in the 7th round by the Vikings. The receiver coach was replaced. Herbert decided to come back for his senior season but the fan base had real concerns about the receiving core. The top returning receiver was TE Jacob Breeland. He had been underutilized throughout his career but was reliable and hung onto the ball. Recruiting had fallen off substantially during the Helfrich regime. Cristobal is an elite recruiter but hadn't made much headway with the receivers until 2019. He signed four 4 star receivers, including Mycah Pittman, younger brother of USC WR Michael Pittman Jr who was drafted in the 2nd round by Indy. Their dad was former NFL RB Michael Pittman who played for the Bucs. A big, athletic receiver from Penn State, Juwan Johnson, came in as a grad transfer. Pittman was making big plays throughout fall camp and there was optimism that he could make an immediate impact. About a week before the season started, Pittman broke his collarbone. Senior starting receiver Brendan Schooler also injured his foot in fall camp. He was scheduled to return midway through the year. He wanted to redshirt instead but the coaches declined so he transferred to Arizona to play football along side his younger brother. So Herbert was down two important receivers to start the season, three if you count Mitchell, which hurt the passing game against Auburn in the opener in Dallas. TE Breeland became the go to guy but blew out his knee halfway through the year. The TEs behind him weren't much of a threat as receivers. Pittman returned but broke his wrist or arm 3-4 games after coming back. He looked good when he was on the field. He did get healthy in time to play in the Rose Bowl. Transfer Juwan Johnson was a specimen but didn't have the greatest hands. He's a terrific blocker, though. The top two receivers were Jaylon Redd and Johnny Johnson. They dropped a ton of balls in 2018 but improved in 2019. Redd is a jitterbug slot guy and probably the fastest receiver. Johnny Johnson was the top outside receiver but not elite by any means. Redd missed the Rose Bowl due to an off field incident. There was little continuity in the receiving core all year long and several younger guys played.
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