Joe Rexrode

Detroit Free Press

"You ready, bro?"

That's the text message Michigan State quarterback Connor Cook sent to Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty on Sunday (complete with a smiley face emoji) when the MSU-Baylor Cotton Bowl matchup was announced.

Petty's response, per a Cook interview Monday on the Big Ten Network show "BTN Live," was to say he's looking forward to the Jan. 1 game in Arlington, Texas between the No. 4 Bears (11-1) and No. 7 Spartans (10-2), and that maybe they'd be able to hang out some before it.

Cook and Petty are the front men for this meeting of two of the best offenses in college football this season, and they're friends thanks to the fact that both are clients of quarterback guru George Whitfield. Cook said they hung out last summer and said of Petty: "Great dude. Very humble, hard-working guy. Funny, loves to crack jokes."

And, like Cook, Petty produces. The senior quarterback has completed 62.1% of his passes for 3,305 yards and 26 touchdowns, with six interceptions. Cook has completed 58.2% for 2,900 yards and 22 touchdowns, with six picks.

Cook told BTN he considered MSU's season "a success" and his junior campaign "a great season."

"Having that chemistry with Tony Lippett, having a great offensive line protecting me, allowing me to go through my reads and make the right decisions and go where I need to go with the ball," Cook said. "Having Jeremy Langford, a great running back back there, making it easier for me with the run and pass situations and allowing us to be more balanced. But I'd say it was a great season. Obviously, taking the next step in leadership, being a better leader."

Baylor is No. 5 in the College Football Playoff rankings and MSU lost to No. 2 (Oregon) and No. 4 (Ohio State). Asked to name the toughest opponent the Spartans faced, Cook said: "Obviously, Oregon. Oregon was a great, great opponent. Great offense, great defense."