“We have had a lot of injuries,” Zych said. “One of the things we pride ourselves on is the next guy being able to step in and be successful. We have had young guys that have had to step in.”

But while the Mountain Hawks pose a threat in the air, its ground game will likely be more pedestrian when faced with the Crimson’s front line. The veteran unit, one of the League’s best,  has allowed more than 100 yards on the ground just once—against the Bears—this season.

“Every week, we have a goal which is to stop the run,” Zych said. “Our defensive line does a great job, allows us to be more aggressive in coverage, doesn’t make us have to cover as long, and makes our job easier [in terms of] being more aggressive and making plays.”

On paper, Harvard seems to have a slight edge on both offense and defense. But the Mountain Hawks’ dominance in its three wins has resonated like a fire alarm in the Stadium this week.

“The way they beat Princeton, I think, is indicative of how good a team they can be,” Murphy said.

—Staff writer Christina C. McClintock can be reached at ccmclin@fas.harvard edu.