Michigan State Football: Dissecting the 2015 depth chart

Nov 29, 2014; University Park, PA, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) drops back in the pocket during the third quarter against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium. Michigan State defeated Penn State 34-10. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O

Quarterbacks

You may be wondering why I’m even including this one on my in-depth look at the depth chart, but there’s a glaring surprise in the order of quarterbacks listed.

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Connor Cook is the obvious starter and nothing will change that all season long, barring an injury or a historically bad performance — and even that would be pushing it. He has passed for over 6,000 yards in his two years as starter and he needs to pace another 3,000-yard campaign with 20 touchdowns to become the school’s all-time leader in both categories.

Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Tyler O

The senior starter isn’t the surprise on the depth chart, but it’s the battle for the backup spot.

Over the course of the last two years, people have been arguing over who should take over when Cook leaves and if that were to happen right now, it would be Tyler O’Connor, according to the depth chart.

O’Connor has looked a bit frazzled in his short stints over the past couple of years and even during spring scrimmages. The junior quarterback just hasn’t shown the killer mentality needed to become a starter in the Big Ten, in my opinion.

Damion Terry is listed as third-string, surprisingly. While there is still a year for that battle to play itself out, it’s definitely one to keep an eye on in mop-up duty this season. There’s a lot riding on the success of the backups.

Next: Running Backs