Last Saturday, MSU’s starters were limited in number of plays, and for good reason. When you’re up 28-0 after the first quarter, it’s hard to argue junior quarterback Connor Cook should still be out on the field winging the ball around.

Cook saw less than a half of play last week and compiled only six pass attempts. If you add that light duty with his other two games, Cook has played in less than two games through the first four weeks of play. That’s one half against Jacksonville State, the entire game at No. 2 Oregon, nothing during the bye week and as I already mentioned less than a half of play against Eastern Michigan last week.

Through the first four weeks, Cook has only 66 pass attempts compared to 81 a year ago — a situation where he wasn’t even the solidified starter yet and MSU was more run oriented.

So what does all of this mean? It means that Dantonio needs to leave Cook in the game for at least three quarters this week against its final tune-up non conference opponent Wyoming. The best situation would be for the whole game.

“You got Nebraska in two weeks (so) I feel like I just want to get as much work as possible no matter what the score is, whether it’s tight or a blowout,” Cook said. “I just want to be out there with my teammates and get as much reps as possible just so we can be ready once Big Ten play starts.”

I couldn’t have said it any better myself. Cook hit the nail right on the head when it comes to having one of the Spartans’ toughest opponents next week and MSU needs a ready quarterback under center if it wants to come out with a win.

If Cook is yanked out of the game again at half time this week that would mean he wouldn’t have seen a snap in the second half since Sept. 6. That would a combined 28 days by the time the Cornhuskers come to Spartan Stadium.

And remember, all of this conversation is coming with the assumption that MSU will be taking care of Wyoming with ease. I know how the saying goes with assumptions, but the experts out in Vegas think the green-and-white will win by as many as 33 points and after last week I’m leaning toward the Spartans running away with this one too.

So while MSU has built up plenty of depth and has developed a scout team that is arguably better than all three of MSU’s non-conference opponents not named Oregon, going against them isn’t enough. Cook and the rest of the starters need more live game snaps before conference play begins next week.

A more seasoned and game ready Cook means a better product on the field and higher chance of MSU experiencing success throughout the rest of the season.