Florida State RB Dalvin Cook Can't Carry 'Noles All Season Long

Sophomore running back Dalvin Cook was everything and then some for the No. 11 Florida State Seminoles in what was a surprisingly close contest against the South Florida Bulls. 

In a 34-14 win, Cook amassed 266 yards and three touchdowns on 30 carries. More importantly, he carried Florida State on a day in which quarterback Everett Golson was inconsistent at best and, perhaps more accurately stated, inadequate. 

It should be noted that Cook's 266 yards are the second most in school history. 

While Cook had an impressive outing, Golson was subpar with 163 yards on 14-of-26 passing with one touchdown. In the first half alone, he was 1-of-9 for just six yards, as Yahoo's Pat Forde pointed out. 

Again, this was against South Florida, a squad that finished 4-8 last season in the less-than-reputable American Athletic Conference. 

Cook will undoubtedly be the heartbeat of the Seminoles in 2015 as they adjust to post-Jameis life. Head coach Jimbo Fisher is changing his offensive philosophy to run first, pass later, but Golson has to be more efficient. 

The growing pains of transferring this summer and developing chemistry with the offensive line and receivers was almost too obvious Saturday. Golson only found a rhythm on one drive, going 4-of-5 through the air for 66 yards, including a 23-yard touchdown to Jesus Wilson. That gave Florida State a 24-7 advantage. 

It was on Florida State's punctuation drive in the fourth quarter, when Cook not only dashed any fading hopes for the Bulls with a 37-yard touchdown run, but also converted on a 4th-and-1 by running up the gut, that Florida State's plan of attack was almost too predictable. 

Give the ball to Dalvin. Don't let Golson mess it up. Put the game away. 

Except not every opponent is at the level of South Florida, where simply running faster than your opponent is enough. 

The Seminoles have Clemson and Georgia Tech on its slate come ACC season. Even teams such as Miami and Florida could cause issues. 

Nearly all of FSU's conference schedule is of a higher pedigree than the Bulls. Cook will have an off day. Teams will, probably starting with Boston College in Week 3, start to zero in on Cook and make limiting him their one and only mission. 

That'll force Golson to reclaim the swagger he possessed when he was leading Notre Dame to a national championship berth. 

Safid Deen of the Tallahassee Democrat reported that Fisher admitted his team is still a ways away from what it'll look like in the heart of the season. 

That could certainly go for Golson, who is still learning the nuances of Fisher's system. But for Florida State to have any chance of making a repeat trip to the College Football Playoff, the Notre Dame transfer must find his groove. 

Deen also reported that Fisher, while disappointed in his first-half performance, praised Golson for his second-half showing and managing the game well enough to win.  

Managing a game against South Florida is one thing. To beat Clemson in Death Valley is another, and Golson needs to do more if he wants that to become his reality.