NEW HAVEN, CONN.--A traditional tone of modesty clouds pregame prognostications from most varsity football coaches. Heaping praise upon their opponents, while deprecating their own talent, they transform glaring mismatches into Super Bowl contests.

Despite the Madison Avenue glitter surrounding THE GAME, Yale coach Carmen Cozza plays his role reluctantly, "Football games are played on Saturday," he insists. "Whatver happens during the week just doesn't matter."

When pressed for predictions, however, he eventually admits, "I don't think Harvard can beat us. The only way we can lose is to beat ourselves."

There is no trace of swagger in Cozza's voice, only the solemn selfassurance resulting from sixteen consecutive victories spanning almost two complete seasons.

Cozza became Yale's head football mentor in 1965 when he moved up from a backfield coaching job to succeed John Pont. After leading the Elis to an undefeated Ivy League Championship in 1967, Cozza was selected as the New England "Major College Coach of the Year."

More than most Yale partisans, Cozza remembers the near-agony of last season's finger-nail finale. He respects Harvard and his respect increases measurably everytime he reviews the films of that cliff hanger.

Almost wincing as he recalls some of Vic Gatto's fourth-quarter dashes, Cozza labels the Harvard captain "one of the finest backs in the country."

"This year, the entire Harvard backfield is packed with power," Cozza continues. "They are a very versatile outfit and we expect to see a lot of razzle-dazzle."

Yale fields a relatively young defensive secondary and, consequently, Cozza shows considerable concern over the Crimson's passing attack. "[George] Lalich is the key to Harvard's undefeated record," he remarks pointedly. "If he manages to get the ball to those big ends, [Pete] Varney and [John] Kiernan, we are in trouble."

Although he rates the Crimson defenders "the quickest in the Ivy League," Cozza remains unconvinced that anyone can stop Yale's high flying offense.

Dowling keeps the opposition off-balance, according to the Yale coach. "There may be other quarterbacks around who are better--bigger, stronger, faster--but once the game starts, I wouldn't want to be against him."

Calvin Hill, the other half of Yale's dynamic duo, receives similar praise from Cozza. "Everyone knows Calvin is a strong runner," he says, "but has fantastic hands, too." That boy has really found himself this year."

So, armed with a platoon of pro prospects, Cozza prepares for the biggest challenge of his coaching career. He admits Harvard is tough: "any team with a kicker [Rich Szaro] who has trouble deciding which foot to use from the 35-yard line has got to be tough." But Yale, he believes, is tougher.