Crimson safetymen John Tyson and Tom Williamson, both very sharp in the first two games, will feel a little more pressure when Ballentine starts to open up than when Jumbo quarterback Ed Sevetz took to the air.

After Lafayette's scoring drive in the opening game, Harvard cornerback Bill Cobb tightened up more quickly, but neither he nor fellow cornerback Buzz Baker have faced the challenge of a balanced offensive attack this year.

Lions Use I

The Lions, using an I-formaiton behind fullback Arne Jensen (215), were running successfully up the middle against Princeton and even Colgate (seven fumbles definitely hurt matters against Colgate). At one point against Colgate, Jensen carried the ball seven consecutive times up the middle for consistent five-yard gains--until he finally fumbled.

Defensively, Columbia will employ an "Oklahoma 50" formation (similar to Harvard's stunting defense) rather than the perennial Lion eight-man front. The defensive secondary and linebacker positions constitute Columbia's stronger areas, with senior linebacker Don Rink (215) a standout.

There will be no changes in Harvard's starting defensive or offensive units, except for the return of Davis and Sviokia. On the offensive line, left guard John Peterson is back from his injury, but he has yet to push replacement Bob Flanagan out of the starting berth.

Yovicsin has been generally pleased with the offensive play (75 points, 876 total yards in two games: what more?) and cites the two tackles, Steve Diamond and Bob Brooks, as two principal reasons that the line has been providing running room.

Harvard's backfield remains intact with no injuries. Ric Zimmerman will call the signals, fullback Tom Choquette will provide the blocking and muscle yardage, and that leaves Bobby Leo and Vic Gatto at the halfbacks.

"I've never had a better pair of halfbacks," Yovicsin says.

The bookies are making Harvard 11-point favorites to win its Ivy opener, even after Columbia's showing against Princeton last week. Harvard holds a slight edge, but those kinds of odds are extreme.

Mabye the bookies have a lot of faith in Princeton and Tufts football.