Air Force vs Michigan State: 5 players who need to step up

Sep 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) attempts to throw the ball against the Oregon Ducks during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

5. Connor Cook

Let’s face it, Connor Cook is not playing the way he truly can, and should, so far this season. Michigan State feeds off the energy of its quarterback and, so far this season, Cook hasn’t provided as much of it as he should.

Must Read: Air Force vs Michigan State: 5 bold predictions

The run game has led the offense for the most part this season as true freshman L.J. Scott and redshirt freshman Madre London have become exactly what the Spartan rushing attack needed after Jeremy Langford went pro following the 2014 campaign.

Through two games, Cook has passed for 448 yards and four touchdowns with an interception as well. His completion rate is less than stellar at about 55 percent while he completed less than 50 percent in week one against Western Michigan.

Playing two vulnerable defenses in consecutive weeks, Cook should have done whatever he wanted against both the Broncos and the Ducks.

Air Force’s secondary is just as weak as the first two, if not weaker, as the Falcons ranked 102nd in the nation a year ago in passing yards allowed per game and returned just four starters on the defensive side of the ball.

Cook really needs to spread the ball out to more than Macgarrett Kings Jr. and Aaron Burbridge if the Spartans want a chance to win it all this year — or even just a win in week three.

Next: 4. Demetrious Cox