Even if the Lions can slow down Penn wide receiver Dan Castles, who had 12 receptions for 132 yards last weekend, the Quaker air attack shouldn’t miss a beat as McDermott connected with eight different receivers at least twice last weekend. Running back Sam Mathews has been a disappointment for Penn so far this season, but don’t be surprised if he has a breakout 100-yard, two-touchdown performance in this one.

Speaking of touchdowns, Columbia’s abysmal offense doesn’t score many. And that’s a problem, because Penn’s defense is ranked eighth in the nation in terms of points allowed.

The Quakers will defend their home turf with ease, beating the Lions by three or four touchdowns.

PRINCETON (3-1) vs. BROWN (3-1)

The similarities in this game are eerie.

Princeton’s only loss of the season came last weekend after Colgate launched a furious second-half comeback to erase a double-digit deficit before holding on for victory. Brown’s sole defeat came at the hands of Harvard, which dug out of a 21-point second-half hole to win 35-34.

Both squads boast balanced offensive attacks, splitting up about 400 yards of total offense per game almost equally between the air and ground games.

They each score at about the same clip (29 points per game for Brown and 28 for Princeton), while giving up roughly three touchdowns a game on defense.

In fact, the only tangible difference between the two teams is that the Tigers don’t have Nick Hartigan.

The Brown running back should once again eclipse the 100-yard rushing mark and pick up three scores along the way. Road wins are always tough in the Ivy League, but a workhorse like Hartigan can make them a whole lot easier.

The Bears knock Princeton from the ranks of the Ivy undefeated by three points, leaving Harvard and Penn as the lone undefeated teams in league play.

IVY-PATRIOT SHOWDOWNS

YALE (3-1) vs. No. 18 LEHIGH (4-1)

The only signs of life the Bulldogs have shown this season came in their desperate rally to beat then-No. 11 Colgate in week three. Maybe it takes a fancy number in front of a team name in order to pique Yale’s interest. Aside from that, it’s also important to remember that Lehigh has its two toughest Patriot League games (Bucknell and Colgate) coming up in the two weeks following its meeting with the Bulldogs.

The Mountain Hawks defense hasn’t been exposed to an offense as talented as Yale’s this season. Look for quarterback Alvin Cowan finally to have a breakout game and lead the Bulldogs to a 31-28 victory.