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Ohio State head coach Ryan Day met with the media on Tuesday as the No. 5 Buckeyes (3-1, 1-0 Big Ten) prepare for their game at No. 14 Iowa (4-0, 1-0) on Saturday (3:30 p.m. ET; CBS). I am going to "translate" – so to speak – what Day was really saying about some of the most interesting topics that surfaced today. Here we go. Freshman running back Legend Bey was not listed on OSU's availability report on Saturday, which means in theory he was cleared to play against Illinois. However, Bey did not see the field, not even as a kickoff returner. Word from multiple sources is that Bey is dealing with a sprained ankle. Bucknuts began the press conference by asking Day about Bey not playing last week and whether he is expected to play against the Hawkeyes. "Well, it'll kind of be based on how the practice goes this week, how he does," Day said. "You know, we all know his ability level. Just got to continue to work to build trust. But we definitely would like to see him on the field." Translation: Yeah, he's dealing with an ankle issue, but I'm not going to let you guys know that, otherwise Iowa will know. Just like I didn't want Illinois to know last week. Everyone's favorite dude, Lane Kiffin, proved right away that these availability reports should be taken with a shaker of salt after he listed his QB Sam Leavitt as "doubtful" before their game against Ole Miss. Even LSU fans were saying "that's just Lane trolling." I'm not trolling – as far as you know – but we're also not going to notify our opponents every time a guy might miss action. And beyond that, Legend needs to make sure he's doing everything right on and off the field, hence my code phrase of "building trust." Most of you guys have covered me for all 10 of my seasons here, including eight as head coach. I know all you guys at Bucknuts have, you old hats. When I say things like a player needs to "build trust," what am I really saying? Yep, he needs to mature in a big way. So, in short, it's a combination of the ankle and a lack of maturity. ** Ohio State's defense gave up 462 yards of total offense against Illinois, which is the most they had given up since Oregon nearly two years ago in Eugene. The Buckeyes also gave up 199 rushing yards, which was the most they allowed since the Cotton Bowl against Missouri in 2023. Day was asked what the biggest culprit was in terms of the Buckeyes' disappointing defensive performance. "Well, I think just coming out of the game, we just have to make sure that we're just executing at a high level across the board in terms of everyone doing their job," Day said. "I think, overall, you saw effort, but just not good enough execution. Now, you saw that we did do a few more things in terms of some more pressure, some more man, and so when that happens, you have to kind of play through some of that. "But, too many explosive plays, as you know. That goes without saying and our players and coaches obviously would recognize the same thing. And so, we've talked long and hard about that, and so we've got to do a better job coaching, and the players got to do a better job of being accountable of that, and that's really what it comes down to. And I think just sustaining a certain level of focus throughout the entire game is critical, and it's going to be four quarters in this one right here, so we're going to have to be at our best, and so we need a good plan. We need a good week of practice." Translation: Here's a pro tip for the uninitiated: When coaches talk about "lack of execution", what we really mean is the players were not playing well enough. Do you think Matt Patricia forgot how to call a defense? We studied the film and our scheme was sound for the most part. We just had guys not taking care of their responsibilities. For example, you guys keep asking why Riley Pettijohn isn't playing more. He was basically responsible for giving up Illinois' first touchdown by not being gap sound. That being said, we still love Riley and recognize a heat-seeking missile is going to misfire occasionally. But you asked, and I'm telling you execution was the main issue. Our guys need to be assignment sound and not go out there trying to play "hero ball." ** Ohio State's defensive line has been substandard compared to what we expect from an OSU D-line. Day was asked if freshman Khary Wilder might see more action and what his overall thoughts are on his defensive line. "Yeah, I mean, we need production for sure," Day said. "And so, like, we're taking all applications. You know what I mean? Like, we need production. So, it's everybody's job in the building, coaches and players, to make sure that we're putting guys in a situation to be successful. But then in practice we're building trust that when you go in the game you're going to do your job. "Because it's one thing to have talent. It's one thing to flash. But when you're playing team defense, and one guy is not where he's supposed to be, I'm not talking about any player in particular, but I think it does matter, and I think we all need to recognize that. All it takes is one guy to be out of a gap, and it can turn into an explosive play. "So, we all have to be disciplined in what we do. We don't just go out there and make plays. We have to play within the defensive scheme. But we have to dominate our one-on-one. And so that takes discipline. And I think that, going back, just because we brought it up, we have talent, but we need discipline and skill. Skill to play the position, discipline to do our job at a high level, and everything that comes with it. But that's why we practice. "And so, there will be plenty of opportunity for all those guys to come in and build the trust. Because as coaches, we don't have any (reason) to not play guys that we think are going to produce on the field, but also playing within the scheme." Translation: Yeah, I just put almost all of our defensive linemen on notice with the "taking all applications" comment. I don't think I've ever used that one before. Even a smart-ass like Dave Biddle doesn't need to "translate" what I was saying there. I made it completely obvious. I even threw in another "need to build trust" for good measure. We're far too average on our defensive front, but I don't know if leaning heavily on freshmen is the answer. ** Iowa knocked off Michigan in Ann Arbor on Saturday, 20-19, on a touchdown pass with no time remaining. Did Day see the end of that game and did he enjoy it? "Yeah, I did with that one," Day said as some reporters laughed. "I thought it was very typical of an Iowa win, you know, where they're very comfortable late in the game like that, punting and playing field position and getting the ball back. But you got to give them a lot of credit to go down the field in a two-minute drill and win it." Translation: Are you kidding? I absolutely loved that. And I got back from the Horseshoe to my palatial estate in Powell just in time to run around the house in complete jubilation with my wife and kids after seeing Iowa win. We rewound it about 10 times, and frankly, my favorite part might have been all of the U-M students going full surrender cobra after the game ended. I think they might have set the Guinness World Record for most surrender cobras by one crowd, breaking their own mark against Michigan State in 2015. In the Day household, our two favorite teams are Ohio State … and whoever is playing Michigan. Also, that ending further proved that karma is an absolute bitch. Right, Western Michigan? 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