Polls & Recognitions

The Ivy League released the results of its annual media poll Tuesday and Columbia was picked fifth. 

I know I and a lot of the longtime readers of this blog and its original incarnation  used to get our noses bent out of shape over poll results that seemed to really disrespect the Lions. But now that the team has had three actual winning seasons out of the last four years, preseason polls seem less important all the time. 

What new fans need to know is that most of the people who cover the Ivies are either too used to seeing Columbia lose, or they are new at their jobs and just tend to vote for the league to finish roughly like it did the year before. 

What everyone else needs to know is that Columbia went 7-3 last year, has many key returning players, the reigning Ivy Rookie of the Year as its QB, and a very good offensive line that returns 4 of its main starters from last year and two other players with significant starting experience. 

To put it in the words of some of the most experienced and fair experts on this league, the Lions should be in contention for the title this year. 

"Steeley" Reception

Speaking of that offensive line, it was surprising that not one member of the Columbia OL made it onto the Phil Steele Preseason All Ivy 1st or 2nd Team list when it was released earlier this week. 

Again, this is essentially the O-line that produced the best rushing attack in the Ivies last year and allowed very few sacks or sustained pressure on the QB.

But there was some good recognition in other areas. It was very good to see LB CJ Brown placed on the 2nd Team Defense, since I would put him among the players who did very well in their first years on the field and seem likely to step it up this fall. That pairs Brown with LB Scott Valentas who was named to the 1st Team Defense, and makes for an encouraging core of talent at that position.

Also, the fact that QB Joe Green was named to the 2nd Team Offense behind Dartmouth's running/passing QB Nick Howard would seem to indicate that Steele's folks see Green as the best pure passing QB in the Ivies for this year.

But no other non-special teams player, including 5th year standout RB Ryan Young, and many others got their deserved recognition.

Again, this isn't meant to be a bitter comment, it's meant to help keep the readers of this blog much more informed about the Lions than they can possibly be anywhere else. 

As soon as the first reports come out of Columbia Football training camp (which starts in roughly 10 days), I'll have more annual assessments/predictions on the Lions and the whole Ivy League. But until then, here's a reminder of what things looked like for 2022 from just a couple of months ago. And here's a look at some key newer names to keep an eye on.