5 Keys to the Game: Harvard

1) Hit hard and make the Crimson work

No one like to do homework, and having to play Columbia in New York City the week before the championship showdown with Penn must seem like homework to Harvard. So this chore has to become a painful chore if the Lions want to take full advantage. The tackling and blocking needs to be hard. The receivers and cover teams need to speed burn it up and down the field. Lots of blitzing and other kinds of harassment would help too.


2) Keep the Crimson runners in check

I know, I know. Tall order. But the Lions still have the horses to get into that Harvard backfield, close off the edges and generally make Harvard's Gino Gordon and Treavor Scales miserable. A big part of this will actually be on the offense, as Columbia will probably need to score and score early to take the ball out of the running backs' hands somewhat. That's what Lafayette did in the Leopards' impressive win at Harvard Stadium a few weeks ago.


3) Keep running the ball

The Lion offensive line remains the most effective and uninjured unit on the team. With Brackett, Ivery and Kourouma ready to go, Columbia should be able to control the line of scrimmage and the clock behind the front five.


4) Try something new... week 2

The razzle dazzle plays Columbia used last week for spectacular TD's against Yale were just the kind of thing we'll need to see tomorrow. Not the same exact trick plays like the flea flicker of course, but you get my drift.


5) Expect Victory

So Harvard is the best team in the league on paper. Big deal. Lions fans know the team has had the tools to win every game it's played this season. Injuries or not, that still should be the case tomorrow.