COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Both the 2005 and 2015 Ohio State football teams were stocked with talent headed to the NFL, and both played Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. For the 2005 team, a win in Arizona was the first step of a 2006 season that led to the national title game, with players in changing roles leading the way.
Can the 2015 team use a win over Notre Dame as a springboard for 2016? And can these current Buckeyes emerge with more important roles next year, the way their 2006 counterparts did?
In the days leading up to the New Year's Day game, we will look back at a 2005 Buckeye who had a big 2006 season, and find a 2015 player who could have the same impact in 2016.