In one of two matchups of 1-0 vs. 0-1 teams, Yale has a chance to set itself up to contend with a win at Dartmouth. To do it, the Elis will have to overcome a strange off-field distraction, a problem that may seem familiar to fans who have been following the issues regarding Harvard's linebacker.
Yale (2-1, 1-0)
at Dartmouth (0-3, 0-1)
According to The Associated Press, Elis quarterback Matt Polhemus and running back Mike McLeod were arrested for a fight that also included Yale hockey players outside a New Haven, Conn., fast-food restaurant. They were charged with breach of peace but are expected to play tomorrow. The Elis now join Harvard as a team that may be hampered by legal issues: Harvard's first-string linebacker, Matthew Thomas, is currently benched after assault allegations.
Meanwhile, Polhemus and McLeod will have to put the fight in the past as they deal with a defense that gave Penn all it could handle last week at Franklin Field.
A Yale win could put the Elis in good position to be a surprise contender for the Ivy crown.
Cornell (1-2, 0-1 Ivy) at No. 18 Harvard (3-0, 1-0)
It has been a rare occasion in recent years for Harvard to come into a game looking for revenge. After all, the Crimson is 30-6 in Ivy League games since 2001.
But that is precisely the feeling for Harvard as it hosts Cornell in Week 4, hoping to avenge last year's devastating loss.
Fifty-two weeks ago tomorrow, the Crimson traveled to Ithaca, N.Y., riding high from a huge win over eventual league champion Brown. The high turned into a low in the span of 60 minutes as the Big Red held Harvard to 95 passing yards (226 overall) in a 27-13 win.
The loss would prove vital in preventing the Crimson from winning a second-straight league title.
This year, Harvard does not look as vulnerable, boasting an offense that ranks third in the nation.
Once again, Harvard comes in with the win over Brown under its belt and with the league's best weapon in Clifton Dawson. The senior was held under 100 yards for the first time last week, but still scored three touchdowns in the win over Lehigh.
Cornell, meanwhile, has a chance to knock off a ranked team for the second week in a row. The Big Red nipped then-No. 23 Albany for its first win this season.
Tomorrow's game, if nothing else, should be fun for fans of offense. While Harvard comes in with 449 yards per game, Cornell is not far behind at 390 - good for 14th in the country.
Princeton (3-0, 1-0)
at Colgate (2-2)
The Tigers, on the cusp of the Top 25, look to go 4-0 for the first time since their 1995 Ivy League championship season.
A win over the Raiders would also give Princeton a 3-0 record against the Patriot League and its first win in Hamilton, N.Y., since 1997.
To pick up the win, the Tigers will have to get off to a much better start than last season, when they allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown and fell behind 13-0 three minutes into the game.
Colgate, w hich has won the previous three meetings, has allowed just 38 points in its last three games.
Brown (1-2, 0-1)
at Holy Cross (3-2)
The reigning Ivy champs have hit a rough patch in their title defense with two straight losses, but they have a chance to turn it around before a stretch of six straight Ivy games.
The matchup will likely be won through the air, as both teams are near the top of the Division I-AA leaderboard in terms of pass attempts and passing yards per game.
The Crusaders' record is a bit misleading, as the three wins have come over teams with a combined record of 3-11, while they have been beaten by double digits by Northeastern and Harvard.
Iona (1-4)
at Columbia (2-1, 0-1)
The Lions came back to earth last week with a 19-6 home loss to Princeton.
They now play their fourth game - and fourth home game -- against one of the worst teams in Division I. Iona's only win was against the Division II Stonehill Skyhawks, while they lost last week to Western Connecticut State of the Division III New Jersey Athletic Conference.
Not even Columbia should mess this one up.
