Flushed at the Bowl

Yale 35 Columbia 7

Why Yale Won

The Eli offense was efficient all day while the defense never lost control of the line of scrimmage either. Even some Yale turnovers never did much to hurt them.

Why Columbia Lost

The offense continued its season-long ineptitude, with the offensive line doing a particularly poor job at run blocking. Meanwhile, the Lion defense put in their worst performance of the year. 

Key Turning Points

-After Columbia went three-and-out on its opening possession, (thanks greatly to an under-thrown pass from QB Joe Green to WR Edan Stagg that would have gone for a big gainer or a TD if thrown accurately), Yale took over at its own 30. The Elis then marched down the field easily on a 10-play, 70-yard drive that included just two 3rd down plays. 

-With the score still 7-0 and 4:15 left in the 1st quarter, Yale began an even more impressive 75-yard TD drive on 13 plays that included a 4th down conversion. After that score, the competitive phase of the game was essentially over. 

Columbia Positives

-The Lions did not turn the ball over.

Columbia Negatives

-The Lion defense had no answers and seemingly made no adjustments to the more than dozen times Yale QB Nolan Grooms threw sideline screen passes for gain after gain. 

-The Lions offense was putrid, and did not even complete a pass until the 2nd quarter. 

Columbia MVP

-P William Hughes averaged 43.1 yards per punt and had some beauties during the day. 

The Disappointed Bowl

 

QB Nolan Grooms leads Yale... in rushing

Columbia Lions (2-4) vs. Yale Bulldogs (3-3)

October 28, 2023

Kickoff Time: 12 Noon

Yale Bowl

West Haven, Connecticut

Game Time Weather Forecast: 74 degrees and sunny

The Line: Columbia is a 9 1/2 point underdog

TV/Radio: The game will be streamed live on ESPN+

Columbia Game Notes

Yale Game Notes

Leading Story Lines

-Both teams come into this game as pretty strong disappointments for 2023. Yale was a massive preseason favorite to win the Ivies, but the Elis are just 3-3 and 1-2 in the Ivies. The Lions are 2-4 and have lost all three of their Ivy games in soul-crushing fashion. 

-Yale's season has faltered because of its weaker than expected defense. Columbia's season has taken a big hit from a subpar offense. One of these has to give tomorrow... maybe. 

-After weeks of rainy Saturdays, this game will not only be under a sunny sky but it will be hot. Will the radical weather change produce radically different results?

3 Lions to Watch

-RB Malcom Terry #6 may be the primary rusher for CU tomorrow against a Yale rushing defense that has not been consistent. 

-DE Justin Townsend #36 will likely be chasing Yale QB Nolan Grooms all day.

-PK Hugo Merry #98 will be playing in his first game ever at Yale Bowl; probably the toughest FG kicking venue in the Ivies.

3 Elis to Watch

-WR Mason Tipton #1 can do a lot of damage and he will look to shine in dry weather.

-LT Jonathan Mendoza #76 is taking over that vital position now that NFL draft prospect Kiran Amegadjie is out for the season with an injury. Will Grooms be able to adjust?

-DE Clay Patterson #97 is considered one of the best pass rushers in the league. 

Week 7 Picks

I went a dismal 1-5 straight up and 2-4 against the spread last week. That brings my season totals to 27-19 SU (.586) and 23-22-1 AGS (.511)

Brown + 10 1/2 at Penn

The Quakers will win, but this will be a fun shootout 

Dartmouth +10 1/2 at Harvard

Some of what I saw from the Big Green vs. Columbia gives me pause, but I think they will be able to cover vs. the Crimson. Harvard still wins. 

Princeton +6 at Cornell

Inconsistent Big Red will lose. 

Lafayette -10 1/2 at Georgetown

Leopards keep rolling

Marist +13 at St. Thomas

The Red Foxes will keep it close in a loss. 

 

Ivy League Power Rankings

 

1) Harvard

The Crimson got dinged by poor QB play for the first time this year at Princeton. But they still fought back and made it close. 

2) Penn

The Quaker win over Yale at Yale was impressive. 

3) Dartmouth

The Big Green have a path to the title. But the big test at Harvard awaits.

4) Yale

The Elis defense has betrayed the team this year.

5) Princeton

Nice win in the rain for the Tigers last week, but now it's back to reality.

6) Brown

The Bears can be brutal on the road, but they can still beat anyone.

7) Cornell

In an inconsistent league, the Big Red are the most inconsistent team. 

8) Columbia

The Lions are the only Ivy team without a conference win. 

What is the Color of Pain?

Dartmouth 20 Columbia 9

Why Dartmouth Won

After allowing the Lions to go 75 yards for a TD on the opening drive of the game, the Big Green defense did not allow any more points the rest of the way. The offense was inconsistent, but effective at key moments as well. 

Why Columbia Lost

The offense could never duplicate the intensity and effectiveness of its opening drive. The defense could not keep Dartmouth down all day.

Key Turning Points

There was really only one

-After Columbia jumped out to a 9-0 lead on the opening drive TD and then a safety on a bad snap play, the Lions took over on their own 30 after the free kick with 5:56 left in the 1st quarter. After Columbia went three-and-out, Dartmouth's Patrick Campbell blocked William Hughes' punt (after a bad snap), and Campbell recovered it in the end zone for a TD. Columbia never regained the momentum after that. 

Columbia Positives

-Joe Green put up some decent overall numbers and seemed more comfortable completing passes. 

-The Lion defense allowed just 13 1st downs.

Columbia Negatives

-The Lions failed to finish drive after drive, looking totally inept in the red zone. 

-The Columbia defense missed some key tackles. 

Columbia MVP

-LB Anthony Roussos had 12 tackles and a TFL.