Sam Blackburn wrote the following column in mid-September. His comparison of the 2002 Buckeyes to the 1992 national champions, Alabama, turned out to be right on the money. He was one of the first to make such a comparison, and national media later jumped on the bandwagon:

It's hard to argue with the results of the Ohio State running game.

Behind true freshman tailback Maurice Clarett, the Buckeyes have rolled up more than 600 yards total in three consecutive victories.

They've worn teams down in the second half, and the defense has been strong enough that opponents can't build a big lead.

We know the defense is going to be there all season. The question is, what happens when they can't run anymore?

Clarett suffered what appears to be a minor injury vs. Washington State. We don't know when he'll be back to 100 percent.

But when he returns, his legacy will continue to grow with every down he plays. Every time he touches the ball, fans hold their breath, anticipating a big play from the bruising but elusive 230-pound tailback with breakaway speed.

Most OSU fans were concerned during the first half of last weekend's game against 10th-ranked Washington State. Clarett was held in check and the defense struggled against the Cougars' wide-open passing game.

The offense ran in place with Craig Krenzel at quarterback. The line didn't protect him consistently, and when he had time to throw, his missed most of his targets.

Potentially, that could have spelled disaster in the second half. But because Clarett and the offensive line wore down the Cougar defense, Krenzel was able to stay in his comfort zone -- calling the plays, handing the ball off and meeting Clarett in the end zone to celebrate.

One thing appears certain so far: Krenzel hasn't shown he can win games on his own.

He has fine wide receivers. Michael Jenkins is a big target at 6-4. Chris Gamble is slick and multifaceted. Returning starter Chris Vance didn't look a bit out of place during his first game back from a two-game suspension.

The problem is, the three are being underutilized, partly because of Clarett's success, but mostly because of Krenzel's inability to get them the ball consistently.

There have never been questions about Krenzel's leadership ability, and he doesn't turn the ball over. He resembles former Alabama quarterback Jay Barker -- a winner who didn't beat you, but not exactly a guy who could carry an offense with his arm.

Barker won a national title and 13 straight games as the Crimson Tide's starter in 1992. While he didn't set the world on fire, he won. Twenty-one times in two years, to be exact.

In Krenzel's five games as the Buckeyes' starting quarterback, he's 4-1, losing only in an Outback Bowl in which he hardly played.

The Barker-led Crimson Tide team in 1992 had the top defense in the country, allowing less than 10 points per game. They had a dominant defensive end in Eric Curry, a stud tackle in John Copeland, All-American caliber defensive backs in safety George Teague and cornerback Antonio Langham and a Matt Wilhelm-type linebacker in Antonio London.

That team won a national title behind a defense that stonewalled opponents every week. Very few teams in recent history swarmed the football and gang-tackled like that group did. So far this season, OSU's defense has rivaled some of the best in school history, albeit only three games into the season.

Barker wasn't a flashy runner or passer, and neither is Krenzel. However, the Tide always had a ground game, and when it failed them, Barker was able to win a lot of close games.

Chances are, there will be a time when OSU will need to drive the field in a two-minute drill to win a game. Krenzel hasn't shown he can do that.

When the pressure was on in the early stages of the Bucks' win against Washington State, he had no rhythm or cohesiveness with his receivers. To his credit, he didn't turn it over, unlike his stubborn predecessor.

For all we know, no team in the country will stop Clarett, Lydell Ross or anyone else that makes the OSU ground attack click. Despite the injury, Clarett still might run for 2,000 yards and lead OSU to a national title.

But that doesn't happen very often, and it's even more rare for a freshman to lead the way. Eventually, someone will force Krenzel to make plays.

Alabama proved 10 years ago that in an era when throwing the ball 35 times was the vogue thing to do, lights-out defense and clock-management can still win a national title.

Can Krenzel and OSU do the same?

Stay tuned.

Originally published Saturday, January 25, 2003