It could soon take just the swipe of a card to ride the subway. SEPTA took the first steps toward revamping its fare-collection system by requesting proposals for an electronic "smart card" payment system last week. The new system, which officials say could be completed within two years, will allow SEPTA passengers to wave a pre-loaded "smart card" to ride the subway.

With three Big 5 squads making it to the NCAA Tournament, last season was a banner year for the informal Philly conference. Temple and Saint Joseph's both fell in the first round, to Michigan State and Oklahoma State, respectively. But No. 12-seeded Villanova upset Clemson in the first round and won another over No.

It wasn't the blowout that it has been the past two years, but a Tyler Hansbrough-less North Carolina team beat the Quakers in their season-opener, 86-71, last night in Chapel Hill, N.C. Penn sophomore Tyler Bernardini picked up where he left off last year, leading all scorers with 26 points on 9-for-18 shooting.

In her latest book Between Keys, '83 College alumna Suze DiPietro spiced up her rock and roll past with an unusual twist of blood-sucking intrigue. At the Penn Bookstore last night, DiPietro described her personal inspiration for the novel and her transition from Penn grad to rock and roll band member to vampire murder mystery novelist.

In their three seasons suiting up for the Red and Blue, Carrie Biemer and the three other seniors on the Penn basketball team have gone undefeated. In season openers, that is. "We have a good record going into first games," the senior forward said. "We'll come out with a lot of energy, and we'll see if we can go 4-0.

Cornell may be the unanimous choice to defend its Ivy League hoops title, but the rest of the conference isn't holding up the white flag just yet - especially with star Big Red guard Adam Gore out with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (his second such injury in three years).

For the the men's soccer team, it's pretty simple. Beat Harvard, and take home Penn's second Ivy League Championship in 28 years. Lose or tie, and start praying for an at-large bid. When the Quakers face off tomorrow night against the Crimson (11-4-0, 5-1-0 Ivy) - who lead the Quakers (10-2-4, 4-1-1) by only two points - the Ivy trophy will be on the line.

On Nov. 4, most were happy to avoid a repeat of election night 2000 - the winner was clear. The outcome of Penn's voting competition with Dartmouth, however, is not as clear. Although Penn initially claimed a win, Penn and Dartmouth student government leaders decided to call a tie earlier this week, according to Undergraduate Assembly chairman and College and Wharton senior Wilson Tong.

The Food Network's Bobby Flay is "looking into" opening a Bobby's Burger Palace in the Radian, according to a senior leasing representative at Madison Marquette, the property manager Penn hired to lease the retail space in the Radian. The representative, who was not authorized to disclose the information, emphasized that no lease has been signed, but one may be signed in the coming month.

After a spotty first 40 minutes, the Quakers' offense finally found its rhythm. A second-half comeback seemed in order. And then, like in so many Penn games of the past few years, it all came crashing down with a failed red-zone conversion and botched field goal.

Lucas Tasigianis' goal was golden indeed. In the fifth minute of overtime, the sophomore midfielder put one past Harvard's keeper on a breakaway, earning Penn a 1-0 win and a trip to the NCAA tournament. The Quakers (11-2-4, 5-1-1 Ivy) will share the Ivy crown with Dartmouth, but the Penn's 1-0 win over the Big Green on Oct.

By ZACH KLITZMAN Staff Writer klitzman@dailypennsylvanian.com Entering the 2007-08 season, Darren Smith had high hopes. The guard was just coming off an excellent rookie campaign in which he started 10 of the team's final 11 games, including the Quakers' first round NCAA tournament loss against Texas A&M;.

Believe it or not, Penn's dining halls serve a lot of healthy food. But if Dining Services are serious about helping students eat healthily, it isn't enough to just serve nutritious food and hope students choose to eat it. They need to provide the accurate information students need - when they need it.

Edward Anderton, a 2005 Penn alumnus who engaged in a massive identity-theft scam with his former girlfriend, will be sentenced today in federal court. Anderton and his then-girlfriend, Jocelyn Kirsch, pleaded guilty this summer to the same charges. However, lawyers say that doesn't necessarily mean Anderton will receive the same sentence Kirsch did at her October hearing.

Alex Jacobson is a College junior from Los Angeles. His e-mail address is jacobson@dailypennsylvanian.com.

SEPTA isn't perfect. With many issues to address - cleanliness, capacity and fare-collection modernization - signage doesn't rise to the top of the improvements list. Still, installing understandable signs outside SEPTA stations will help riders and tourists navigate the maze of subway, regional rail and trolley routes.

Torn labrum. Broken hand. Broken toe. Fill-in-the-blank hip. Fill-in-the-blank foot. These are just some of the injuries beleaguering Penn's swimming teams. But the Quakers will have to rebound quickly, as the men travel to Columbia for a 7 p.m. meet today, and the women host the Lions on Sunday at 2 p.