Ryan Day once again held out Ohio State running back Legend Bey in Week 5. During a decisive 31-14 victory over Iowa at Kinnick Stadium, the true freshman was nowhere to be seen.
He's now been held out of both Big Ten matchups.
What is happening? Day said this past week that he'd "like" to see Bey on the field. That was conditional, though.
"That'll be based on how the practice goes this week, how he does. We all know his ability level. He's just got to continue to work to build trust, but we would definitely love to see him on the field," Day said.
Another game, another snap-less outing for Bey. Day is making it clear that his on-field performance isn't the issue. He raves about Legend's game.
It makes you wonder what the real problem is.
If Bey were still injured from the Kent State game, Day certainly would say so, right? He wouldn't allow fans to be upset by the continued absence of a player many had high hopes for. Day seemed to want Bey back in for the end of the Golden Flashes game.
Isaiah West is struggling to get push at the line of scrimmage, while Day has explicitly called out his efforts. There's a perfect opportunity to get Bey into the action.
Day refuses to take it.
Ryan Day got production from RBs in Iowa win, but what's the plan?
It's sad that fans had to be brought down the Bey rabbit hole during the game. Ja'Kobi Jackson found the end zone on a seven-yard run. Bo Jackson had another solid, if unspectacular, game.
Overall, the running game functioned as a way to set up another spectacular passing effort from Julian Sayin and another unreal receiving effort from Jeremiah Smith. Sayin had 324 passing yards and three passing touchdowns, while JJ had 206 receiving yards and two touchdown grabs.
The running backs have to be there when the passing game fails, though. At some point, an opponent will rattle Sayin with a strong pass rush. The offensive line hasn't proven capable of conquering all challenges over the last two years.
Jeremiah Smith can carry you on the road to the promised land, but it's unlikely he can do it the whole way. He's NFL-bound after this season anyway.
During and beyond this year, there are questions. Bey being MIA brings us all further away from the answers.
Ja'Kobi won't be around next year. The upperclassman Florida transfer was a one-year rental.
Bo's next move is anyone's guess. He has been deprioritized in Arthur Smith's offense, so he may not be keen on returning next season.
Bey could be the future of the position in Columbus if he could simply prove it on the field.
At this rate, it's hard to picture that if things don't change soon.
Add us as a preferred source on Google