Crimson, Bulldogs, and Tigers Battle for Title

As the Ivy League football season comes to a close there is a three-team race between Princeton (8-1, 5-1 Ivy), Yale (7-2, 5-1 Ivy), and Harvard (7-2, 4-2 Ivy) for the Ivy League title. For the league leaders, this Saturday's results will be crucial in their pursuit of the championship.

Princeton (8-1 5-1 Ivy) is the leader of the pack and has the easiest path to the title. With a win over Dartmouth this Saturday, the Tigers are assured at least a share of the championship, and they can win the title outright if Yale loses. While Dartmouth's 2-4 Ivy League record suggests that this game will be an easy victory, the Big Green has been in most of its league contests this year. To be successful, Dartmouth will have to stop potential Bushnell Award winner Jeff Terrell, who connected 32 of 47 passes for 445 yards and three touchdowns last weekend in a crucial 34-31 win over Yale. That victory brought Princeton into a tie for first place in the Ivy League and set the stage for its possible clinching of the title this weekend.

Yale, like Princeton, will also control its own destiny. With a win over its perennial rival Harvard, it can clinch at least a share of the Ivy League title, and win outright with a Princeton loss against Dartmouth. After last year's triple overtime classic in New Haven, this year's rivalry game is ever more pivotal.

"Yale/Harvard is a unique rivalry that really needs no added incentives," Yale head coach Jack Siedlecki commented. "The fact that the Ivy title is involved adds another dimension, but just playing the game is enough incentive for any player." A victory this weekend would give Siedlecki his first win over Harvard, a second Ivy league title, and the ideal ending to a thrilling season.

Harvard is the third team in title contention, but it is on the outside looking in. In order for the Crimson to gain a share of the title, it needs to beat Yale, and Princeton must lose at Dartmouth. Clifton Dawson and the running game are going to be key during the Harvard/Yale game. Dawson has been an important player for the Crimson as he leads the Ivy League with 19 touchdowns and is second with 1,153 yards, behind Yale's Mike McLeod's league-leading 1,277 rushing yards. The outcome of the game will be determined by whoever controls the line of scrimmage as Harvard is first in the Ivy League in run defense, while Yale is fourth.

By Saturday night, the 2006 Ivy League championship will be decided-and Yale, Princeton, Harvard, or a combination of these teams, will come out on top.