And then there were two.
With last Saturday's Penn victory at the Yale Bowl and Harvard's explosion at Princeton, the Ivy League race is not officially down to two teams, but it might as well be.
Everyone will be looking toward the Quakers' Nov. 13 matchup with the Crimson at Franklin Field, a game that will most likely determine the Ivy League champion.
Princeton is still in the running with only one loss. A win over Penn next weekend combined with a Quakers victory over Harvard would force a three-way tie in the Ancient Eight standings.
But we're getting a little ahead of ourselves. In order for any of this to matter, the big three must continue to do what they have done all season-- smother the other teams in the league.
With that in mind, here's a look at how this weekend's other Ivy football games stack up.
No. 20 Harvard (6-0, 3-0 Ivy)
at Dartmouth (0-6, 0-3)
This game is, admittedly, a mismatch. For the Crimson, this one is all about maintaining its focus and its grip on top of the Ivy standings. For the Big Green, this one is all about pride, and maybe saving the job of coach John Lyons, a Penn alumnus.
The best way for Dartmouth to stay in this one is to make Harvard quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick beat them. The Big Green is giving up 135 yards per game on the ground, not bad for the Ivy League.
Sophomore running back Clifton Dawson has carried the Crimson, rushing for 14 touchdowns in six games.
But if Dartmouth focuses on Dawson, the door is open for Fitzpatrick to have a monster game, something that has eluded him recently, as he has been overshadowed by Dawson. Judging by the 242 yards per game through the air given up by the Big Green, Fitzpatrick will have a big game if he needs to.
But it might not be necessary. Dartmouth has virtually no running game, meaning that offensively the onus will once again fall on quarterback Charlie Rittgers. But Rittgers has struggled most of the season, and it would take a complete turnaround on the part of both teams for Dartmouth to stay close.
Princeton (4-2, 2-1)
at Cornell (1-5, 1-2)
The Tigers, and their shattered run defense, will need to get over their collapse against Harvard if they want to get out of Ithaca, N.Y., with a victory.
Last week, Harvard's Clifton Dawson sliced and diced Princeton for 201 yards and three touchdowns, capping off his afternoon against a worn out Tigers defense with an 80-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. The Crimson ran for 244 yards as a team.
As for the Big Red, it has reminded teams that it is a big mistake to overlook its squad. Cornell already ruined Yale's season, and all five of its losses have been by 10 points or less.
But no one would confuse the Big Red with the most talented team in the Ivy League, especially on offense. Junior Ryan Kuhn makes his first career start at quarterback.
The key to this game is the matchup between the Cornell running game and the Tigers rush defense. If the Big Red can get its two headed monster of running backs Andre Hardaway and Joshua Johnston going, it may be able to wear down the sagging Princeton front seven.
Tigers quarterback Matt Verbit will be motivated after a subpar effort against Harvard, when he threw for just 119 yards while recording two interceptions.
Columbia (1-5, 1-2)
at Yale (3-3, 1-2)
It has been a disappointing season for Yale quarterback Alvin Cowan. A Walter Payton Award candidate at the beginning of the year, Cowan's struggles have been a microcosm for the entire team.
Last week's loss to Penn virtually eliminated the Elis from title contention in the Ancient Eight. It remains to be seen how the team will respond against a Columbia team that just won its first game.
The Lions' 9-6 win over Dartmouth will not find its way onto many offensive highlight reels, but it is a start for a Columbia team that had regressed following an encouraging 2003 season.
Last week, Columbia quarterback Jeff Otis threw for a season-high 269 yards, finding tight end Wade Fletcher and wide receiver Brandon Bowser regularly.
If the Elis are asleep to start the game, the Lions have improved enough on both sides of the ball to pull the upset.
