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Heisman Watch 2016: Week 11 players to watch

By John Buhler

Nov 5, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) prepares to make a pass during the second quarter against the Boston College Eagles at Boston College at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lamar Jackson (8) prepares to make a pass during the second quarter against the Boston College Eagles at Boston College at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) sacks LSU Tigers quarterback Danny Etling (16) during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 5, 2016; Baton Rouge, LA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide defensive lineman Jonathan Allen (93) sacks LSU Tigers quarterback Danny Etling (16) during the first quarter of a game at Tiger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports /

Alabama Crimson Tide DE Jonathan Allen

The Alabama Crimson Tide have the most formidable unit in the entire Power 5. This 2016 Crimson Tide pass rush is beyond terrifying. LSU Tigers’ bewildered quarterback Danny Etling couldn’t lead his team to a single point in Week 10, as Alabama shut out the Bayou Bengals in Death Valley.

Though it’s not likely, the SEC’s best bet to get a player to New York for the 2016 Heisman Trophy presentation has to be Alabama’s best player in senior defensive end Jonathan Allen. Allen is the most recognizable name from this ferocious Alabama front seven. He and inside linebacker Reuben Foster seem like locks to go in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

The SEC has lacked the dynamic offensive player this season. Some of that might attributed to this vaunted Alabama front. For the Heisman Trophy to be more than just a quarterback/running back award, defensive players like Allen should be included in the ceremony as long as they have earned it.

Allen needs two big games the rest of the way to get there. He’ll have a big opportunity against SEC West rival Mississippi State on Saturday. The Bulldogs have a mobile quarterback in Nick Fitzgerald. If Allen wrecks Fitzgerald’s world on Saturday, he might be going to New York.

Next: Best college quarterback born in every state

No. 1 Alabama hosts Mississippi State at 12:00 p.m. ET on Saturday from Bryant-Denny Stadium. ESPN will have the telecast for this SEC West rivalry game.

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