Yale at Georgetown
Yale tailback Mike McLeod is used to plowing over one or two defensive linemen. Georgetown hopes that eight will be a few too many.
The Hoyas' eight-man front and spread-option offense are two unique challenges for Yale in its opener. No reason the Bulldogs should lose, but they'll need to win by much more than a touchdown to feel good about things.
Columbia at Fordham
Keep an eye on how Columbia divvies up the minutes under center in this one. If Craig Hormann gets nearly all of them, he's healthy. If it's a three-slice pie chart, with Shane Kelly and M.A. Olawale grabbing a piece, Hormann's still not 100 percent. As for the game, its a coin flip.
Duquesne at Brown
New Brown quarterback Michael Dougherty might get more practice finding his running back with a handoff than his receivers with a spiral.
The junior has a talented corps of wideouts to throw to, and senior Paul Raymond could be one of the conference's most dangerous targets this year. But after seeing Duquesne get burned for 188 yards on the ground by Bucknell's tailback-by-committee on Sept. 1, untested Bears running back Dereck Knight must be licking his chops.
Bucknell at Cornell
Only one 'Nell will be left standing. Even if it's Cornell, the Big Red will likely be out of breath by the end.
Bucknell's spread-option offense has put up over 195 yards per game in the last three years against Cornell; the Bison won two of those games. Cornell's rush defense has been solid for years, so this game against a bogey team might not be the best indicator of its legitimacy.
Harvard at Holy Cross
The Crimson have won the last five in this series, but Holy Cross played No. 2 UMass tough two weeks ago (losing 30-40). Pretty much the only sure thing is that Crusaders quarterback Dominic Randolph won't throw 62 passes like he did in that game.
Lehigh at Princeton
Princeton has won three-straight season openers, the last loss coming against Lehigh. Whether the Mountain Hawks will spoil that streak depends on the Tigers' Bill Foran, who will look to complete his first touchdown pass.
Colgate at Dartmouth
Colgate is still looking for the magic of its 2003 national runner-up, and Dartmouth is still looking for the magic of its dynasties of the 1960s and 70s. Don't hold your breath on either.
