After deciding to pass up the likelihood of being a first-round selection in the 2015 NFL Draft, Connor Cook certainly comes into the new college football season with something to prove.
With Cook, the talent is present. He has the arm strength, touch, and the ability to make most, if not all, of the throws an NFL quarterback needs to make. He certainly has the build of a quarterback at 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds.
While his skills are certainly evident, Cook needs to demonstrate a lot more consistency this season — regular, every-game accuracy is something which has generally eluded him.
Cook has never completed more than 59 percent of his passes in a season. However, there are times when he has shown the ability to be accurate: He completed 29-of-47 against Oregon in 2014. However, there are too many games where he completes 19-of-37, as he did against Purdue last season.
Though his throws do not always reach his intended target, the good news is that most times they do not reach any target at all. He has a 74-15 touchdown-interception ratio for his college career.
While it is hard to get better than the 11-2 record Michigan State delivered last season, capped by the come-from-behind victory over Baylor in the Cotton Bowl, Cook is clearly the man who can enable the Spartans climb even higher this season. Some have even argued that he has the ability to be the best player in the Big Ten. In addition, the only two teams Cook lost to last season were the ones that played in the national championship game: Oregon and Ohio State.
With Jim Harbaugh at Michigan; a rematch with Oregon looming; a business trip to Columbus on the slate; a solid Maryland squad waiting; and a similar Penn State team lurking, Michigan State is certain to face many challenges in 2015. In order to overcome this, the Spartans will need Cook to be his best, game in and game out, to prevail every Saturday.
Cook brings back an experienced core on the offensive line, with Jack Allen and Jack Conklin, so he should get some time to throw this season. More time should lead to more reads and greater accuracy.
While there are not as many questions on the offensive line, developing consistent wide receiver play will also be essential for the Spartans. In order to compile more consistent numbers on his end, it is essential for Cook to have dependable targets to throw to. Despite losing one in Tony Lippett, the team brings back four senior wide receivers and a solid tight end. The group coming back has experience, but finding that cluster of options for Cook is vital.
The tools are certainly there for the 2015 Michigan State offense. The only question is whether these 11 players can mesh, making this a special bunch of Spartans that can compete for a Big Ten crown and a playoff berth.
