Yes, I was thinking that at least he would be used as a decoy. MSU would watch the OSU film and defend it. We could take advantage by doing a variation on what we showed in the past. Not to be. Maybe not in the playbook.
Instead, my guess is Franklin did not want to risk any criticism if he put Tommy on the field and, for whatever reason, those plays did not work. If I'm Tommy, I'd be pissed -- a heck of an athlete and quarterback who would be starting almost anywhere else. Ironically, in the end it appears he will get benched for the season because he did not catch a low throw from the starting QB.