Football Releases 2016 Schedule

The opening whistle of the 2016 college football season may be nearly eight months away, but as of last week, the Harvard program has confirmed its schedule.

For the first time since the Ivy League was founded in 1956, the Crimson will play three consecutive road games, at Holy Cross, Princeton, and Dartmouth respectively. This mid-year gauntlet looms as a serious test for Harvard as it pushes for a fourth consecutive league title.

Other challenges menace in more typical places. As per usual, the Crimson will face off against Penn--the lone team to beat Harvard in 2015--and end the season against Yale.

The quest for a historic fourth championship will begin on September 16, when Harvard kicks off against Rhode Island at home. Last year, the Crimson beat the Rams 41-10 in the season opener.

This home game will be the first of three non-conference matchups, as Harvard will host Georgetown in week three and visit Holy Cross two weeks later.

Traditionally the Crimson has faced the Crusaders early in the season, but last year, for the first time since 1976, the two teams did not play. They will renew their non-conference rivalry in 2016.

Throughout the season, Harvard will match up against all seven Ivy League teams, starting in Providence against Brown in the second week of the season. The team will then play Cornell at home in week four.

In 2015, the Crimson handled both these opponents with ease, but the 2016 conference schedule toughens up as the year progresses. Harvard will close out the season with five straight Ancient Eight matchups, consecutively playing Princeton away, Dartmouth at home, Columbia at home, Penn away, and Yale at home.

Based on last season’s results, the Big Green and the Quakers stand out as the toughest tilts. Three months ago, the Crimson bested Dartmouth, 14-13, by scoring all 14 points in the fourth quarter. Then, against Penn, Harvard gave up an early lead en route to its only loss of the year.

The 2016 schedule culminates with the 133rd playing of The Game. Harvard has won nine in a row against the Bulldogs, including last season’s 38-19 thumping in New Haven. This year’s contest will take place in Cambridge, and the Crimson will look to extend the longest winning streak in the history of the Game.