Reluctant Prognosticator Sees Crimson by Safety

Quite frankly, if tradition didn't require it, the Crimson sports editor would not be making these predictions.

There are two major drawbacks to this assignment. First, unlike most Monday morning quarterbacks. I have to put my neck on the line before the opening whistle, not after the final gun. Second, as a Harvard man, I feel a certain obligation not to dump on the home forces. So, in a year like this one, which is not too promising, I feel a distinct pressure to "forget" that Harvard too is fielding a team each Saturday.

But, the insatiable god who preys on oddsmakers must be served.

Mercifully, tradition demands only a small number of picks, those games which involve one or more Ivy League teams. Here then, with some slight justification, are the week's guesses.

Pennsylvania vs. Bucknell

Like most of this week's games, this is a very difficult choice. Bucknell humbled Davidson last week, and boasts a top-grade passer in Sam Havrilak, who also led the team in rushing in 1967. Penn also has a good quarterback, Bernie Zbrzeznj, and 26 other returning lettermen. Bucknell topped a more potent Quaker team by a point last season and should repeat its success, 20-12.

Columbia vs. Lafayette

Columbia will be very bad this season, but Lafayette will be worse. A good sendoff for new Lion coach Frank Navarro and his passing combination of Marty Domres and Bill Wazevich: 24-6.

Cornell vs. Colgate

Colgate bombed Boston University the past week behind star back Ron Burton and will give the Big Red, a sure Ivy contender, a rough test. Cornell has a veteran defense and Bill Robertson at quarterback, so the game will come down to a matter of who gets the breaks. Since it's always dangerous to venture into Ithaca, I go with Jack Musik's Big Red in a thriller: 18-14.

Dartmouth vs. New Hampshire

This is a big one for Harvard fans, because UNH topped the Crimson in a pre-season scrimmage. The Big Green will win, but, only after a struggle. Final here: 17-12.

Brown vs. Rhode Island

No one really cares who wins this one, except for those of us fortunate enough to call Rhode Island our home. There's quite a cross-state rivalry between the Bruins and the Rams. Today, second-year coach Len Jardine will try to even his record against URI, but sadly, he will fall short, 21-10.

Princeton vs. Rutgers

Another squeaker. Rutgers has already started its season in a winning way, rolling over Lafayette, and Princeton usually has trouble adjusting to its unique single wing attack. But most of the Tigers are veterans and they can already sense an Ivy title this early in the season A Princeton conquest by 25-12.

Yale vs. Connecticut

Brian Dowling should handle the UConns with a minimum of effort; 31-16 sounds reasonable, but Yale's defense needs shoring up.

Harvard vs. Holy Cross

Holy Cross beat Yale in the opener last fall. Yale won the Ivy title and didn't lose another game the whole season. Harvard has suffered injury after injury. If the offensive line can hold off the Crusaders long enough for George Lalich to pick out Pete Varney, Harvard has a shot. Otherwise Holy Cross passer Phil O'Neil may get enough help from the Crimson's inexperienced secondary to carry the day. This is a real pick 'em and, as my father's son. I pick Harvard 17-15.