Harvard's league foes have averaged only 63 rushing yards a game (best in the Ivies), and non-league opponents haven't fared much better. A solid, fearsome unit. Grade: A-minus.
Linebackers: From being unknowns at season's start, Kris Thabit and Richard Mau have become Harvard's most pleasant surprise of the year. The pair played outstandingly against Northeastern's Wishbone formation, and solidly ever since. Grade: B-plus.
Defensive Secondary: The opposing quarterback drops back to pass. Uh-oh. His receivers sprint deep into the Harvard secondary. Uh-oh. The QB unleashes a pass. Double uh-oh.
The Harvard secondary looked like the team's weakest link in the preseason, and it still does today. Frank Caprio leads the Ivies with three interceptions, but overall this unit has proven a disappointment.
In the Crimson's sole loss at Cornell, the secondary got burned on a number of occasions. The group has also been whistled for pass interference on far too many occasions. Grade: C-minus.
Special Teams: Punter Alan Hall started out the season woefully, but has improved steadily ever since. Place-kicker Bruce Jacob has been perfect on his extra points, but missed a crucial pair of field goals at Cornell. Overall, Restic has gone for it on a surprisingly high number of fourth downs this year, indicating he doesn't have a lot of trust in his kickers. Harvard's kick coverage has been average.Grade: C-plus.
Outlook: Saturday's contest at the Stadium against Princeton is a key match-up. Harvard has looked good all year, but has yet to defeat a significant Ivy foe.
If the Crimson wins Saturday, a share of the Ivy title is a definite possibility--and next weekend's game at Brown becomes the next big hurdle to overcome. Harvard hasn't won or shared the Ivy title since 1983, but this could be the year.
However, a loss against the Tigers could all but sink the Crimson's chances. With the league this tight, two league losses is probably one too many. Remember, though, that Princeton comes in this weekend in the same do-or-die situation.
It should be, all in all, quite a contest.