League play was as tough and exciting as ever, too. Aside from Penn, the league was extremely well matched. Heading into the last two weeks of the season the seven other Ivy schools had a shot to finish in second place.

Perennial power Dartmouth surprisingly found itself in an unfamiliar position in the league's basement, while usual cellar-dweller Columbia actually won three Ivy games to finish in a tie for third.

The evenly matched teams provided some outstanding games. Perhaps the tone for the season was set with the league's opening game between Harvard and Columbia.

Harvard squandered a big lead and found itself trailing 32-31 with slightly more than a minute remaining. The Crimson responded with a long touchdown drive though and overcame the Lions, 39-32.

If this year's spring practices have the impact last year's did, we should be in for one heck of a football season.

The Ivy race will probably be Penn's to lose again, but seven other schools will be gunning to end Penn's 20 game win streak.

And who's to say it won't happen?

Cornell brings back a strong nucleus from last year's Ivy runner-up squad. Dartmouth is sure to bounce back and Columbia is still improving.

And then there is Harvard. The Crimson is solid at its skill positions--returning Ivy League Rookie of the Year Eion Hu at tail back and Vin Ferrara at quarterback. The second year under Tim Murphy may be the one when Harvard turns the corner to more favorable football fortunes.

One thing is for sure. It all begins now, in the spring.