Ivy Power Rankings

1) Princeton

The Tigers gutted out a tough defensive battle and won the game of the year. Do they win the game if it were played in Hanover? Maybe not. But "maybe" doesn't count.

2) Dartmouth

The Big Green proved they are one of the best teams in recent Ivy history, but they just didn't have enough to beat Princeton

3) Harvard

The Crimson have now played three impressive games in a row and seem to have found a solid QB. But the chasm between them and Princeton and Dartmouth is wide,

4) Yale

The Elis might have found a new QB, but beating Brown does not tell us much.

5) Penn

Penn keeps finding a way to win games they should win.

6) Columbia

The Lions will creep back up to the middle of the pack after they get to play Brown and Cornell.

7) Cornell

The Big Red laid a real egg at home vs. Penn.


8) Brown

The Bears last shot to win an Ivy game is this weekend vs. Columbia.

Crimson Fried

Harvard 52 Columbia 18


Why Harvard Won

The Crimson attacked the Columbia secondary with a series of bold strikes down the field that led to early touchdowns. The Harvard defense gave up chunks of yards most of the day, but generally kept the Lions out of the end zone and off the scoreboard.


Why Columbia Lost

The Lion defense was unprepared for the Crimson passing game, and could not overcome a series of turnovers in key moments. In his first career start, freshman QB Ty Lenhart was able to move the offense, but couldn't convert enough scoring opportunities.


Key Turning Points

-On the first play from scrimmage from their own eight yard line, Crimson QB Tom Stewart hit WR Jack Cook in stride for a stunning 92-yard TD.

-With the score 21-12 Harvard late in the 2nd half, Columbia had two opportunities to make the score closer before the half. But Lenhart was intercepted to end both Lion possessions and Harvard added another late TD off the second pick to seal the win.

Columbia Positives

-The Lions ran the ball relatively well and Lenhart also got into a groove passing the ball at times. WR Emerson Kabus was the best skill player on the day with five receptions for 103 yards.

-Mike Roussos did an excellent job on several returns.

Columbia Negatives

-The turnovers killed what could have been a competitive game and ultimately doomed the Lions even more than the three long passes that burned the secondary.

-That said, the secondary is starting to look like a serious liability. Injuries are certainly contributing to that, but it can't all be blamed on injuries.

Columbia MVP

-Kabus stood out and showed he can be a good weapon as a "run after the catch" receiver.

Crimson Ride

Columbia Lions (4-3) at Harvard Crimson (3-4)

November 3, 2018

Kickoff Time: 12:00pm

Harvard Stadium

Game Time Weather Forecast: 63 degrees, windy, 30% chance of rain

The Line: Harvard is favored by 10 points

TV/Radio: You can watch live on ESPN+ and hear the audio for free on GoColumbiaLions.com

The Game Last Year: Harvard 21 Columbia 14

Columbia Game Notes

Harvard Game Notes


Leading Story Lines


1) Harvard seems much improved after playing the two best teams in the Ivies close on back-to-back weekends. The Crimson seem poised for a win, especially now that their QB situation finally seems settled with Tom Stewart at the helm. Columbia is still a walking orthopedic and neurology ward with more injuries to deal with week after week. But at least the team is on an emotional high after surprising Yale at home last Saturday. 


2) Columbia Head Coach Al Bagnoli has defeated every other Ivy team since switching over to Columbia in 2015... except Harvard. Similarly, the current Lion seniors have defeated every other Ivy team but Harvard in their careers. Columbia hasn't beaten the Crimson since 2003 and hasn't defeated Harvard at Harvard Stadium since 1995.

3) Columbia freshman Ty Lenhart will get the start at QB after an impressive three quarters two weeks ago against Dartmouth before he went down with a concussion. Lenhart is known as a good runner, but he went 12-14 passing against the Big Green and completed an impressive long bomb to WR Kaleb Pitts before going down. On defense, the Lions will be tasked with shutting down explosive RB Aaron Shampklin and the running of the QB Stewart. 

Week 8 Picks

(I went 5-1 straight up and 4-2 against the spread last week putting my totals to 40-12 SU and 29-22-1 ATS)


Cornell +1 1/2 vs. Penn

The game comes down to home field advantage. I think the Big Red will win ugly.


Marist -11 1/2 vs. Valparaiso

Marist is turning it around.


Dartmouth +7 at Princeton

I think the Tigers will win it by 4.


Brown +24 at Yale

The muck at the Bowl will keep the score down and the Elis will win by 20, but not 24.

Ivy Power Rankings

1) Princeton

The Tigers reclaim the top spot with a simply stunning 66-0 win in terrible conditions over Cornell. The fact that this weekend's game of the century is also at Princeton Stadium speaks well for Old Nassau.

2) Dartmouth

Should Big Green fans be concerned that Dartmouth's last two wins weren't as impressive as their first five? I don't think it's any reason for panic, but it does make one wonder if Princeton is peaking while the Big Green is coming a little closer back to earth.

3) Penn

Picking the #3 team in the Ivies right now feels like a fool's errand. But let's go with Penn simply because of their record and the fact that the Quakers aren't so completely gutted by injuries.

4)   Harvard

The Crimson have put together two good games in a row, considering the competition.


5) Yale

The Elis offense wasn't all that bad last week without Rawlings. And they will bounce back big against Brown Saturday.


6) Columbia

It's a team game and the Lions are playing like a team that can overcome anything. They certainly don't win every game, but they seem to fight harder with a lot less. If Columbia can somehow beat Harvard Saturday, they can make a claim to the #3 spot.


7) Cornell

The Big Red was badly exposed on Saturday at Princeton. A loss to Penn this weekend will erase a lot of what Cornell accomplished in its win over Harvard.


8) Brown

The Bears still show no real signs of life.