Bulldogs on the Way

I

Will Varga go for 200? 300? More? 

Yale Elis at Columbia Lions

November 1, 2014

Location: Robert K. Kraft Field at Wien Stadium

Kickoff Time: 12:30pm

Gametime Weather Forecast: 50 degrees and a 50% chance of showers. Windy.  

The Spread: Yale is favored by 32 points

TV/RADIO

The game will be broadcast on the Ivy League Digital Network

Make sure you get the audio and superior commentary from Jerry Recco and Sal Licata.

Lead Stories/Questions

-Will Columbia continue to lose but by less than disastrous and embarrassing scores?

-Will Tyler Varga rush for 200+ yards?

-Will the Yale offense score 50+ points? 60+?

-Will the wet weather even the playing field just a bit?

Streak Watch

Columbia has now lost 17 games in a row, continuing the longest losing streak since the record 44-game slide from 1983-88. Columbia has not won a game since 11/14/2012 or 690 days ago.

Players to Watch

-Try this on for size: Yale RB Tyler Varga leads the league in rushing and is a machine who could have a career day against the Lions. Yale WR Deon Randall leads the league in receiving and is a machine who could have a career day against the Lions. Yale QB Morgan Roberts leads the league in passing and is a machine who could have a career day against the Lions. Oh, and WR Grant Wallace is darn close to Randall in receiving yards and he could have a monster day too. Pick your poison.

-As good as the Yale offense has been, the defense has been weak. This could be a big day for RB Cameron Molina or QB Trevor McDonagh.

Columbia 3 Keys to the Game

1)      Stack the Box

Yeah, Yale has a great passing game but on a very windy/rainy day the aerial attack will have to be muted. Columbia needs to concentrate its meager defensive resources on stopping the run. And any blitzes should be run blitzes as the Lion pass rush has been totally ineffective all season anyway.

2)      Screen, Screen, Screen

The one consistent offensive play CU has used all year has been the screen. Molina and Chris Schroer usually execute it pretty well. This Yale defense seems particularly susceptible to this play.

3)      Bone Up

Columbia continues to help defenses dissect our already-too-weak running game by using a single back set more often than not. On a slippery, rainy, and windy day it would be fun to at least confuse the defense by loading the backfield with potential runners, including the darn QB. Why is it so forbidden for our QB’s to run… ever?