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NCAA Football

Connor Cook is the Big 10 Favorite for the Heisman

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Connor Cook Michigan State Heisman Trophy

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

2015 is a boom-or-bust year for Michigan State football. This season is the widest window of opportunity for the Spartans to challenge Ohio State for the Big 10 crown. The major reason for this wide window is quarterback Connor Cook’s role as field general, and the fact he should be widely considered the conference favorite for the Heisman Trophy.

Over the last two seasons, Cook has led Michigan State to unprecedented heights of football success. The last two seasons have concluded with victories in the Rose Bowl and the Cotton Bowl – victories where he played a starring role. Throughout his time as a starter, Cook has emerged as one of the most efficient quarterbacks in the conference and should now enter the conversation for the Heisman.

The national championship aspirations for the Spartans firmly rest on the throwing shoulder of Connor Cook.

Part of what makes Cook a conference favorite to make the trip to New York City in December is his high level of consistency and success as a starting quarterback. In his two seasons as a starter, Cook has posted a 24-3 record with his only losses against Notre Dame, Oregon and Ohio State. In the same time frame, he has thrown for nearly 6,000 yards with 46 touchdown passes and only 14 interceptions.

Though he has clearly benefited from a strong running game and a stout defense, the Cook is much more than simply a game manager. Instead, as the stats review, he is one of the preeminent game-changing quarterbacks in the Big 10 and throughout the nation.

As the last two seasons indicate, Cook is not only a solid playmaking quarterback, but he is on the road to becoming one of the better quarterbacks in Michigan State and Big 10 history.

With a career passing efficiency rating of 141.5, Cook is 10th all time among Big Ten quarterbacks since 1956. He is 12th in career passing yards per attempt, as well as third in career adjusted passing yards per attempt. With some of the best career marks in the last 60 years of Big Ten quarterbacks, Cook has all the makings to make a strong run at the Heisman and a run at the best season for a quarterback in Michigan State history.

One of Cook’s most impressive stats that should very well carry into his Heisman campaign in 2015 are his phenomenal numbers in the red zone. In 2014, he tossed 20 touchdown passes compared to a mere one interception in the red zone. These stats are an incredible testament to his intelligence and calm demeanor under center.

With showdowns against Oregon and Ohio State marked on the calendar, Cook’s acumen as a passer in the red zone gives the Spartans the expectation that they should emerge out of these games victorious. His near invincibility in the red zone is one of the major factors that should make him the favorite to represent the conference for the Heisman.

Following the graduation of standout running back Jeremy Langford, the Spartans are inexperienced at the position entering the season. Given Michigan State’s relative inexperience at running back, the offense will rely much more heavily upon Cook and his ability to make things happen with his arm.

With national championship hopes on the radar for Michigan State and Heisman hopes in sight for Cook, the offensive weapons on the Spartans must also be ready to step up. This includes stronger contributions from wide receivers R.J. Shelton and Aaron Burbridge as well as the continued growth of tight end Josiah Price.

Michigan State’s national championship expectations fully hinge on Connor Cook’s ability to make the leap to Heisman contender. With two bowl wins, a win over Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game and countless record-breaking stats under his belt, Cook should be expected to make this leap.

Dan Escalona is a Big 10 Football Beat Writer for www.RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @danescalona77.

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