Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from win over Indiana

5 of 5

Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) attempts to throw the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

1. Connor Cook is the real deal

I really don’t think anyone can argue this. It’s actually comical to read the hate on Twitter that Connor Cook still gets after games like this one in which he looked like a NFL-ready quarterback.

Must Read: Michigan State Football: Top 7 plays of the 2015 season so far

Usually the hate comes from trolls on the opposite side of this in-state rivalry, but that’s only because their quarterback is nothing more than a game manager who wouldn’t even be serviceable on a team with decent receivers.

Back to the real point, though. Cook made some throws that left everyone’s jaws on the ground, including some throws that I don’t think some professional quarterbacks could make. He made Indiana’s defenders look silly early and often, passing for 398 yards and four touchdowns.

On the year, Cook has 2,070 yards, 17 touchdowns and just two interceptions, putting him on pace to break his career-highs in every category and become the Spartans’ all-time leading passer in terms of yards and touchdowns.

Although he was sacked four times, he avoided pressure and looked like Ben Roethlisberger in the pocket, at times, proving to be difficult to take down. He also hit the ground 10 times for 18 yards — he had a long of 20, but the four sacks cut into his rushing total. On one run, he even channeled his inner Le’Veon Bell and hurdled a lying-down defender.

Cook is the real deal and he’s proving each week that he’s the best passer in the Big Ten.

Next: Big Ten Football Power Rankings: Week 9

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