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One could argue that the best quarterback in the Big Ten will be whoever winds up starting for Ohio State, but the problem with that is that we still don't know whether it will be Cardale Jones, J.T. Barrett or Braxton Miller taking snaps for the defending national champions next season.

But even with the Buckeyes' unprecedented trio of accomplished signal-callers, Connor Cook can still stake a claim to being the Big Ten's best quarterback after opting to return to Michigan State for his senior season.

Because unlike Jones, Barrett and to a lesser degree, Miller, Cook has found sustained success throughout his two seasons as the Spartans' starter. From 2013 to 2014, Michigan State has accumulated a 24-3 record, including wins in the 2013 Big Ten Championship Game, 2014 Rose Bowl and 2015 Cotton Bowl.

The play of Cook has been a big reason why the Spartans have ascended to college football's elite level, with the 6'4", 220-pounder projected by most draft pundits to be a first-round selection in the 2016 NFL draft. In the past two seasons, Cook has accumulated 5,969 passing yards, 46 touchdowns and just 14 interceptions.

But after losing a de facto Big Ten East Championship Game to Ohio State a season ago, Cook's senior campaign will be judged more on wins and losses than his stat line each Saturday. The Hinckley, Ohio, native is already a proven winner but has plenty he can still add to his already-established legacy this fall.