For the first time since its season-ending victory over Cornell that clinched the Ivy League title outright, the Quakers (0-0) return to the field this weekend as they welcome in-state rival Lafayette to Franklin Field.

Fifth-year senior quarterback Billy Ragone has done everything during his Penn career. And he’s one of three Quakers going after their fourth Ivy title ring.

Sure, expect another Ivy title come late November. But keep your eye on the thin line between sure thing and shocker, especially for a team that played down to its level of competition last season.

How are all of the Ivy teams looking heading into the 2013 season. We take a look in our Ivy Outlook.

One year ago, around the time this very issue came out, the Red and Blue’s defensive backs were labeled as question marks. This year, the narrative has made a 180 degree turn. Once maligned, Penn’s defensive backfield is now viewed as one of the team’s biggest strengths.

Senior captain Brianna Rano is the only remaining defender from that team’s back line, so she was a natural choice as a leader of the defense — or so it would appear.

Brandon Copeland, along with fellow linemen C.J Mooney and Taylor Brown, graduated, turning one of Penn’s top strengths into a definitive question mark as 2013 begins. But the new crew is brimming with confidence.

Penn is getting ready to take on No. 19 Georgetown, but for freshman Alec Neumann, the game is more important than just facing a ranked opponent. He is also facing his brother.

To the average football fan, such a play doesn’t get the heart racing too fast, but for coach Al Bagnoli, a run up the middle for a few yards is his lifeblood.

We asked Dan Davis about the pursuit of a fourth title, his musical choices, and what his secret talent is.

Three members of Penn cross country — sophomore Elyssa Gensib, senior Kersie Jhabvala and sophomore Brendan Smith — debate the question: Why is running so popular and yet watched so little?

American soccer has struggled in the past to compete seriously for World Cups. What is the outlook of Penn men’s soccer captains Duke Lacroix and Stephen Baker on the future of American domestic soccer talent?

Obviously field hockey conditions were not ideal, but the experience I had abroad more than makes up for not playing field hockey for a summer. I have come away from this summer humbled and cultured.

Being able to play football at such a prestigious university under a head coach who truly cared about his players and program was simply an offer I could not refuse.

It’s all too easy to forget about the hoops rivalry between Penn and Drexel these days, especially since it’s not an annual thing anymore. The Red and Blue will not square off with the Blue and Gold in 2013-14, just like they didn’t in 2011-12.

For Penn field hockey’s Helene Caniglia, going home and visiting the family doesn’t necessarily mean a break from athletics. The current junior midfield has four siblings, all of whom played or currently plays a sport in college.

Travis Pillon followed fellow Californian Sam Engs across the country to play for the Quakers.