Nothing is certain in the Ivy League.

While the home-field advantage usually plays a significant role in determining the outcome of a game, it hasn't made a difference as far as the HarvardYale series has gone.

Since 1986 the home team has not won The Game on its own turf.

"Winning in '89 was a great experience," Harvard Captain John Lausch said. "It was a great group of seniors that finished up that year. Going back to New Haven is a special experience for us, because winning on their home turf means a lot."

But while Harvard may enjoy the historical edge, tomorrow's 108th rendition of The Game will depend more on the on-the-field performance--specifically, the running game--of the two teams than on superstition.

Rush, Rush

The Bulldogs and the Crimson boast the number-one and numbertwo rushing games in the Ivy League. For Harvard to steal another victory down in New Haven, the Crimson will have to contain Yale's powerful wishbone offense.

The burden of stopping Yale will fall squarely on the shoulders of Harvard's defensive line. Yale's passing game is virtually nonexistent: Carm Cozza runs the wishbone all day long.

And what a wishbone it is. Running back Chris Kouri and quarterback Nick Crawford have had little trouble tearing up opposing lines this year; both are heading for 1000-yd. seasons.

Harvard Defense

Look for right end Spencer Neumann and linebacker David Stires (the Crimson's leading tackler) to key on Kouri and Crawford.

Neumann, for one, is not worried about the Yale offense.

"We played Army's wishbone and we contained them," Neumann said. "I wouldn't say these guys are better than Army," We're going to know where they're going with the ball. We have to be gang-tackling them. After each play, it should be like a reunion."

Harvard's entire strategy for now rests on an assumption the Crimson has only been able to make this year: that Harvard's offense will perform.

Last-minute Heroics