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Heisman Watch 2016: Week 1 players to watch

By Jack Crosby

Dec 12, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Alabama running back Derrick Henry name appears on the Heisman Trophy during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis after winning the trophy during the 81st annual Heisman Trophy presentation. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 12, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Alabama running back Derrick Henry name appears on the Heisman Trophy during a press conference at the New York Marriott Marquis after winning the trophy during the 81st annual Heisman Trophy presentation. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs with the ball against the Florida Gators during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook (4) runs with the ball against the Florida Gators during the second quarter at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Dalvin Cook vs. Ole Miss

Florida State Seminoles running back Dalvin Cook was an absolute monster in 2015, plain and simple. The then-sophomore rushed for an incredible 1,691 yards on just 229 carries, and this was all playing with nagging injuries as well. Despite these numbers, however, he was not even afforded the opportunity to head to New York for the Heisman ceremony, making him one of the biggest snubs of the 2015 season.

Well, the young man from the Miami area is back in 2016, and not only does he have national title aspirations for his FSU team, which starts the year at No. 4 in the country, but he also has some bronze statue unfinished business that he has to attend to.

Cook is at a pretty good advantage to start the Heisman run, because he has the national stage all to himself for Week 1. Florida State and Ole Miss will battle on Monday night in Orlando, so the entire nation will be watching this game and nothing else.

Where Cook is also at the advantage is that shouldering the load of the offense will more or less be on him once again, as Florida State will be starting the season with redshirt freshman Deondre Francois at quarterback.

When it comes down to it, the Seminoles’ offense and national title hopes rely pretty heavily on Cook, and Monday evening he can start a nice Heisman charge by shredding an SEC defense in Ole Miss’, which one again is expected to be pretty solid on that side of the ball.

Next: Baker Mayfield

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