Since the Ivy League was formed in 1954, Cornell hasn't won an outright title. And after last year's 3-4 Ivy record, it wouldn't seem that the Big Red were on the right track.
But with almost every single statistical leader returning, optimism is running high in Ithaca, even if few others take notice.
"We're expecting our offense to put up more points" this year, coach Jim Knowles said.
That crop of experienced players includes the Big Red's leading rusher, Luke Siwula. Last year he had 885 yards on 202 attempts, good for a 4.4 yards per carry average.
Cornell also returns their leading receiver, junior Zac Canty, whose 2006 total of 41 catches for an average of 12.2 both tied a sophomore record.
But the key returnee might be junior quarterback Nathan Ford, who not only threw for 1,417 yards, but who led the team with six rushing touchdowns.
"We've been able to control the ball but we haven't finished drives," Knowles said. "This year we expect the offense to use their maturity and experience to put the ball in the endzone."
"Hopefully we'll be able to mesh together better as a unit from our line to our receivers to our running backs to our quarterbacks," added Canty.
The defense will also return a number of starters, including senior linebacker Ryan Blessing. He posted a team-high 70 tackles, including six for a loss, as well as a team-leading five sacks last year.
The secondary also should be strong, with two-year starter Colin Nash returning after leading the team with three picks.
"The previous two years we've finished first in the league" on defense, Knowles said. "But last year we slipped back. There's a lot for our defense to improve. And they have enough experienced players to do it."
Of course, just having a lot of returning talent doesn't guarantee anything. For Cornell to do well this year, it must win on the road. Easier said than done, as the Big Red went 0-4 away from Schoellkopf Field last year, with an average margin of defeat in those games of almost two touchdowns.
"The bottom line is that we just have to grow up as a team and get tougher," Knowles said. "It's hard to win on the road in this league, but we got to play better."
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