After three weeks of games, we now have a better idea where everyone
sits in the league
1.
Dartmouth
The Big Green looked a little sloppy in week one, but still
blew out a slightly better than expected Georgetown team. Since then, they’ve
slammed Sacred Heart and embarrassed Penn at Franklin Field. There are no
discernable weaknesses right now.
2.
Harvard
The Crimson have no visible weaknesses either, but they
haven’t posted as impressive a win as Dartmouth’s blow out of Penn.
3.
Yale
The Elis have some defensive weaknesses, but the offense is
as good as any in the league. This weekend’s showdown at Dartmouth will tell us
a lot about both teams.
4.
Princeton
Undefeated, but a far cry from the three teams ahead of them
in the rankings. And the injury news is about to get worse.
5.
Penn
The Quaker defense was badly exposed by Dartmouth this past
weekend. The win over Villanova is looking like a fluke due to key Wildcat
injuries and the short week that led up to the game. The offense is improved,
but that wasn’t where Penn really needed to improve.
6.
Cornell
I know they’re winless, but the Big Red have played
extremely well on offense and could easily be 3-0 with a few big breaks. In a
lot of ways, Cornell is the surprise team in the Ivies so far this year.
7.
Brown
A late comeback win over hapless Rhode Island is not enough
to erase the disappointment surrounding this team right now. Time’s running out
to turn it around.
8.
Columbia
The Lions are clearly improved, but they need the mental
boost of a win to move up in these rankings. That could come this Saturday
night vs. a reeling Wagner team.
3 comments:
Jake, which of the teams ranked above us in our listing would have held that Princeton team to 10 points or less? Or put another way, are we on the cusp of having a dominating defense with a tremendous DL?
The evidence is clear through the first three games that the team is improving week to week. Contrast this to the first year under the previous coach when we had an ugly win in week one, a missed opportunity loss in week two, and a total blowout embarrassment from Princeton at home in week 3.
We're getting better, but I need to see our defense in a better weather game before I can move up in the rankings.
That said, I'm extremely confident about Saturday night.
Jake: Pete inherited a better roster and did less with it. A year ago we were manhandled in nine of 10 games and were clearly slower and weaker than our opponents. You can't teach speed but the difference in strength from a year ago is remarkable. Both lines are physical. As Oldlion says, we lack a playmaker (ie -speed) at WR and CB but otherwise, tremendous improvement. The streak ends soon.
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