Penn football is set to begin its quest for a third straight Ivy League title and fourth in five years when it faces off against Dartmouth tomorrow at Franklin Field.
But while the Quakers have yet to play a league game, the Ivy schedule has already begun, with at least one upset already having taken place.
Cornell has already won more league games than it did a year ago, thanks to its 19-7 upset over Yale. In a season when the Ivy champion may need to finish undefeated, the Elis' loss leaves one of the Red and Blue's biggest challengers behind the eight-ball before the Quakers even play a game in the Ivy League.
But another strong challenger to the throne, Harvard, showed its offensive capabilities last week, as the Crimson overcame a 21-point deficit to top Brown, 35-34, in Providence, R.I.
With the spirit of Ivy League competition in mind, here's a look at how this weekend's games stack up.
Brown (1-1, 0-1)
at Rhode Island (2-1)
URI's Meade Stadium is the site of this year's battle for the Governor's Cup, "emblematic of state supremacy," according to Rhode Island's athletic Web site.
While the size of the state might be small, bet on a large number of points being scored in this one.
The Bears compiled 451 yards of total offense in the first half against Harvard last week and still lost, 35-34. But that was a defensive struggle compared to the Rams' last game, a 62-43 loss to offensive juggernaut Hofstra.
Colgate (2-1) at Yale (1-1, 0-1)
How much character does Yale have? We'll find out tomorrow when they host last season's Division I-AA runner up.
The Elis have to be kicking themselves following their loss to Cornell last week. Their highly touted offense put up just 181 total yards against the Big Red, and their ability to score does not figure to get any easier this week against the Red Raiders.
Colgate appears to be finding its stride after a season-opening loss to UMass and a nail-biter against Dartmouth.
Harvard (2-0, 1-0)
at Lafayette (3-1)
Harvard quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick may be an early favorite for the Walter Payton award, but so far this season the best player on the Crimson offense has been running back Clifton Dawson. The sophomore from Scarborough, Ontario, has rushed for 326 yards in two games. He keyed last week's victory with two second-half touchdown runs, including an 80-yarder late in the third quarter.
Dawson should find some openings against the Leopards, who have allowed 137 yards rushing per game so far this season. And none of the teams Lafayette has played this year have had a back like Dawson.
Princeton (2-0, 0-0)
at Columbia (0-2, 0-0)
Coach Bob Shoop breathed life back into Columbia football when he led the Lions to a 33-27 upset at Princeton last season.
But so far this year, Columbia has regressed while the Tigers are off to a 2-0 start. Princeton quarterback Matt Verbit has been impressive so far this season but must overcome the loss of wide receiver Clinton Wu to injury.
Cornell (1-1, 1-0) at Towson (1-2)
New season, new attitude for the Big Red. One year after dropping its final nine games, including a 59-7 loss in its season finale at Franklin Field, Cornell is playing some serious defense under new coach Jim Knowles.
The Big Red is averaging just 11 points allowed in two games and is giving up a stingy 131 yards per game through the air.
Cornell will come crashing back down to Earth, but it won't be this week. Towson comes in averaging just 245 yards of offense, and only 93 yards passing.
