Cook climbs in Heisman odds
Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook didn’t need to be the star on Saturday night to boost his national reputation.
The Spartan signal-caller threw for 192 yards and a pair of scores in a 31-28 win over No. 7 Oregon. With the victory, the Spartans climbed to No. 4 in both polls, and even got first-place votes.
Cook did some climbing of his own.
In the latest Bovada Heisman Trophy odds, the senior’s chances jumped from a 25-to-1 to 12-to-1. Cook is now tied for sixth with Seth Russell (Baylor), Leonard Fournette (LSU) and Derrick Henry (Alabama).
Ahead of Cook on that list is a pair of Buckeyes. Cardale Jones, who actually was the favorite following his Week 1 performance, is tied with OSU running back Ezekiel Elliott with 9-to-1 odds. TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin is the current favorite at 8.5-to-1 odds.
No Michigan State player has ever won the Heisman. Only one non-quarterback has won the award since the turn of the century.
Cook said coming into this season that the only way he would end up with the top individual award was if the Spartans were in the national title hunt. It’s only Week 3, but he and Michigan State have held true on that end.