Ryan Day made what is increasingly becoming an unpopular decision among the masses to move Senior Day from Week 13 against TTUN to Week 1 against Ball State. One of Ohio State's great modern legends was the latest to weigh in on how that was not a good move to take some shine from "The Game."
Cardale Jones, while riffing with fellow Buckeyes legend Beanie Wells, shared that he almost returned to Columbus in 2016 and passed on an opportunity to be taken in the NFL draft so he could experience traditions like Senior Day before "The Game" one last time.
“Let these guys develop, you know, a Buckeye type of landscape and fandom and then celebrate them at the end of the season,” Jones said of the Senior Day change on "The Script" podcast. “I really considered coming back ... just to run out on Senior Day because it’s going to be home versus Michigan.
“This is my last home game in this stadium, the last time I’m playing the team up north. I want to go out there and give them my all ... It’s unfortunate ... I talked to so many former players already about this ... It’s Ryan Day’s program. He has the right to do whatever he thinks is best for his team."
It's an interesting competitive chess move, but it's one that's ruffled feathers. Day has talked about Senior Day with a dismissive attitude, which is an alarming sign for how the rest of college football might feel about a tradition that's diluted with every player transfer, every cycle.
While OSU dabbles in the portal less than most, there's still a heavy transfer presence on the defensive line, receiving corps, and secondary this season. That's a lot of key players who are being honored before ever playing a regular-season snap for the Scarlet and Gray.
Ryan Day got this 'controversy' out at a good time
The beauty of Day making this change is that it'll be forgotten by most by Week 2, when the team travels to Austin for a pivotal non-conference clash with Arch Manning and Texas. There is no time to be dwelling on a "controversy" like this. Not with a historic level of difficulty ahead.
If Week 13 against the Wolverines ends up being a game that decides whether it's CFP eligibility or the end of the road, the result of the game will speak volumes about the Senior Day switch. Otherwise, a strong season will make some wonder if Day did the right thing.
Who knows, we may not be talking about Senior Day in future years. With so many things changing across college football's landscape, Senior Day feels like it could share the same fate as some of the lower-level bowl games.
As in, a thing of the past. Maybe we should all just enjoy Senior Day while it's still a thing.
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