The FSU Seminoles’ offense will not limp into today’s Peach Bowl.
That offense, for the most part, resides in the legs of Dalvin Cook, who has finally had time to rest that nagging hamstring, which is a good thing for the Seminoles.
It is the key matchup of the game, Cook’s legs against the Houston rushing defense. Cook was sixth in the country this year with 1,658 yards, which clearly makes him the biggest running threat the Cougars have faced. On the other hand, that Houston defense represents one of the biggest threats to Cook that FSU has faced.
Houston’s run defense is 19th in the nation, and its 3.3 average per run is 8th.
On the other hand, Cook leads the nation with a 7.9 average per rush. And he did it against a schedule that included Boston College (2nd), Louisville (11th), Florida (22nd), Clemson (32nd), USF (33rd) and N.C. State (39th).
The Seminoles have let Cook carry the ball more than 25 times only once since September. Still, the Seminoles’ attack will probably surround runs by Cook with deep threats from Sean Maguire.