HOWEVER, the comparison isn't quite fair, because we already know how the 2002 players performed in 2002, but we don't yet know how the 2005 players will perform this season. Granted, Jenkins, Smith, Scott, Anderson, Wilhelm, and Doss were returning stars, but going into 2002, no one knew that: (a) Krenzel would emerge as one the best field generals in the history of Buckeye football; (b) that Clarett would be a freshman phenom who would give the Bucks a much-needed running attack; (c) that Chris Gamble would star on both sides of the ball; (d) that Kenny Peterson would finally live up to his 5-star billing; (e) that Fox, Grant, Nickey, and Thompson would become valuable role players in a great defense; and (f) that the special teams would be truly special.
The 2005 team also has its stars (Holmes, Ginn, Hawk, Carpenter, Schelgel, Pitcock, Youbouty, Salley), but we have no idea how the young players will perform (especially on the lines and at RB and CB), and we don't know whether either QB will take over as the leader of the team. If
several players step up their games, then the 2005 Bucks might just be equal, or at least close, to the 2002 version.
Remember, the 2002 Buckeyes went 14-0 and were ranked the best ever Buckeye squad and the 17th best team of all time (out of the 10,519 teams that have taken the field from 1869-2004) by the
Billingsley Report. The 2005 team has a
long way to go to match those accomplishments.
