Dake It Or Leave It

Think of it, by 4 p.m. today the college football championships of eight States could be in the hands of the Ivy League. What a feeling, brute power. And just 10 years ago who would have thought this possible? Blackman never saw it coming. Just the thought of it is exhilarating. Like getting an "A" in your English 172 journal after spending the night before paraphrasing the book jacket of Giants in the Earth".

All eight Ivies are playing non-league interstate rivals and things look good. Only Brown can be considered to have an excellent shot at losing. With so many games on tap. I'd better cut the intro and get down to the hard core pr-pre-por-porno-pornogr-progn ostication. A swift salute to the Ivies chances and we're on to the nicks.

Tafayette Penn: This game, played last night on Franklin Field's astroturf, will obviously start the Ivies on their merry way. Easton vs. Philadelphia, C'mon. But on the other hand, let's look at it this way. Penn has smashed Colgate, 35-28, in a scrimmage and in return. Lafayette was equally smashed by Colgate last week, 33-14. So let's chalk it up. Seven plus 19 equals 26. The Quakers and coach Harry Gamble then get four extra points for getting Don Clune past the Penn Admission Committee -- no small task. Hence an impressive Penn opener, 29-0.

Colgate Cornell. This is not exactly your basic dream matchup but it does offer an interesting contrast in rushing styles. Colgate was the first team in the East to utilize the complicated wishbone offense and after a year practice in 71, the Rams are anxious to see just how devastating this type of attack can become. On the other hand, Cornell has reached a renaissance I ball carrying. Yes, it appears the medieval days are gone with the passing on new program into operation too quickly at the expense of complete place understanding. In fact, some observers in Ithaca report a bold, dynamic prototype offensive set is being toyed with by Musick. During isolated play drills, spies report seeing at times two men, besides junior quarterback Mark Allen, line up in the backfield. They then appear to take turns carrying the ball. Amazing if true but possibly a vicious rumor. Colgate has been slugged by Penn but last week crushed Lafayette. Normally I would tab Cornell but the Big Red is very green, so it looks like a toss-up. Call it Red over Rams 21-18.

New Hampshire-Dartmouth: After just wasting all that space on such a dud of a game. I'd better start being more concise. Pick one Godzilla or Little Bo-Peep, Beaujolais or Mogan David Mad Dog. WBCN or WHRB. Biochem 110 or Soc Sci 152, Dartmouth or UNH. Look at it this way, one's big and beastly and one isn't. One's got class and one doesn't. One's entertaining and popular and one isn't. One is rough and grunty and one isn't. And finally, one team will be alive after this afternoon and one won't. Football's the game, mismatch, the name. Send a prayer North, the Wildcats will need it. Big Green rolls, 35-6.

Rhode Island-Brown: Most experts agree that the outcome of this titanic struggle will not have an effect on the mythological national championship or at that possibly not even on the famed "Dinky State Award for Football Supremacy", which is awarded each year to the top elementary, prep, or college team in R.I. Ah, the championship of Rhode Island. More stakes were lost over a card table in Kirkland House last night, oHmm. URI lost a tight scrimmage to Columbia, 12-7, and trounced Northeastern's excuse for a team last week, 28-7. Brown showed up for a scrimmage with Harvard. Read it and weep, Lenny Jardine, Rams, 23-14.

Rutgers-Princeton: This one ranks high on the list of unimportant games today. Princeton lost to UConn in a scrimmage, 10-7, and you can bet Jake's had those Tigers working their tails off, so to speak, since then. So, Ol'Nassau 14-3.

Connecticut-Yale: The Flis who've been having offensive problems for the past couple of campaigns will be unveiling a new offense which should bother both teams a bit. But the wishbone looked strong against Dartmouth in last Saturday's scrimmage and should crack the Huskies to the tune of 24-20.

Fordham-Columbia: The Lions are really adept in self-delusion this season. I've never seen so much propaganda flush out of one school. Paul Kaliades for the Heisman Trophey. Hold the phone, Frank, let's put it back in perspective. Unfortunately, Fordham is just learning how to play football and is embarking on its first real varsity season. So for now at least, Lions are on top, 27-6.

Massachusetts-Harvard: UMass is strong but Harvard is stronger except in one vital area -- the defensive backfield. Peil Pennington vs. the Team Canada secondary. All roads begin construction today. Can the Crimson do it? Well I bet--Harvard over UMass 14-zip.