The Ohio State Buckeyes released their first availability report of the week ahead of Saturday’s top-5 matchup against Indiana, and it brought bad news for the Buckeyes’ offense. Ohio State will be without starting offensive lineman Austin Siereveld and No. 2 running back Ja’Kobi Jackson. Both players have been key pieces of the offense through six games.

The running game is the bigger worry heading into the weekend. With Jackson out, No. 3 running back Isaiah West is also listed as questionable to play. That leaves Ohio State leaning heavily on Bo Jackson, the only fully healthy running back who has seen playing time this season, and it means the Buckeyes may have to go even deeper on the depth chart.

Legend Bey could get his shot for Ohio State

This looks like a golden opportunity for freshman running back Legend Bey. Head coach Ryan Day’s update on Bey earlier in the week sounds like the staff may be trending toward this moment.

“He’s taken some steps in the right direction, for sure, and he’s built a little momentum,” Day stated. “So I’d like to have another good week with him.”

Bey saw action against Maryland, finishing with four rushes for 13 yards while also returning a couple of kickoffs. It was the first time he had played in a game since Sept. 19 against Kent State, when he had one carry. He also logged one carry against Texas, and the Maryland game marked his first outing with multiple carries since the season opener against Ball State.

His ramp-up during his freshman season hasn’t gone according to plan to this point. Still, the Buckeyes are likely going to need him against Indiana. Bey could be in a spot where he not only handles kickoff duties but also takes carries out of the backfield behind Bo Jackson.

A chance for Bey to build trust on the big stage

Bey has explosive ability in the open field. If he can break off a big play or two against the Hoosiers, it will go a long way toward shaping what his playing time looks like the rest of the season.

The Ohio State staff has been open about trying to build trust with Bey. Going out on the big stage against No. 5 Indiana and producing is about as good of a way as any for a young player to earn that trust. How he handles the moment matters for both him and the Buckeyes’ backfield.

Ja’Kobi Jackson landing on the availability report wasn’t expected, and now Ohio State may have to throw Bey into the fire. There’s a good chance that happens on Saturday. All eyes will be on a player who has had a rocky start to his tenure in Columbus, and this weekend will show whether he sinks or swims when the Buckeyes need him most.