With the Ivy crown resting in Hanover today instead of Providence, coach Joe Restic has his first opportunity of the year to really test his football theories of explosive offense. When Restic came to Cambridge last winter, he emphasized that John Yovicsin had a strong football program and that this year's squad would be closely tied to the foundations of the previous season.

Those ties to traditional Harvard football have been obvious all fall. Restic accepted the quarterback dilemma that has plagued Harvard for the past two years. He used the small, short, fast running backs that have characterized Harvard's running game since I came here. In general, he did not shake up the depth charts to any great degree.

With two weeks remaining in a season that means relatively nothing except what the players get out of it, it would be the perfect time to try some of the changes that many have talked about. Could Foster and Crone be put in the same backfield? Is junior Frank Guerra destined to be merely a useful tool for weekday practices? Couldn't some of Harvard's backfield speed be better utilized as a defensive secondary rather than a secondary offense? If the questions aren't answered now, the team will be hesitant to experiment in its home opener when it is trying to build a winning attitude next fall.

The Ivy Turns Red

Last week we picked from the heart. Now, with Ivy oblivion the destiny of the Crimson '71, there's nothing left but trying to pick the winners.

CORNELL-DARTMOUTH--It all boils down to how many points Marinaro can score on the Big Green. Enough, Dick Jauron ran for 145 yards against Dartmouth and Columbia rolled up 31 points, so things look promising for Ed. Besides, Ed always does better in the second half of the game when the chips are in, and all the chips in Hanover today as far as the School of Hotel Administration is concerned. Cornell's defense is not the sieve we all hoped to see this fall, and with the aroma of the first Ivy title in the air (and Dartmouth's parnanoia about dropping another close one), I can only see one outcome. Besides, Ed won't blow his chance to perform in front of Bud Wilkinson, Cornell, 28-17.

PENN-COLUMBIA--The Lions have their confidence now, and, as Harvard fans will know, that could be the crucial key to a successful passing game. New York finally has its winning football team, and the fans will be out at Baker Stadium today to watch an exciting passing battle. They'll get it. But Penn has Shue to Clune, while the Lions offer Jackson to Parks to Jones to Sefcik, and the Quakers don't exactly have the monster front four to disrupt the aerial bombardment. Marinaro will win the Ivy title but lose the total offensive crown to Jackson. Columbia, 35-21.

YALE-PRINCETON--Yale's strengths are defense, an outstanding runner, and a quarterback, who while not sensational, can direct a balanced attack. The Tigers have a better defense, a better runner, and a better mediocre quarterback, who while not sensational, can direct a better balanced attack. Princeton's momentum is really rolling after its fourth consecutive victory last Saturday, and a victory over Penn could do little for the pessimistic fortunes of the Bulldog. Dartmouth had to be the worst undefeated team in the East until last week; and now Princeton is the last three-loss squad. Tigers roar, 28-10.

HARVARD-BROWN--It's ridiculous to pick between the talent of the two teams. Brown's Zink is capable of throwing for over 300 yards and Bonner could break loose for 100 yards rushing. Eric Crone, too, could click for 300 yds. passing and Rod Foster or Ted DeMars could have a field day on the ground. But Brown can be rotten, and has been most of the season, and Harvard had its most boring performance of the year just seven days ago. Who knows?

Brown was 1-6 when it thrashed the Crimson two years ago and the victory made the season a success. The Bruins have been stimulated by their weekly losses while the Crimson has been more and more frustrated. After the close game against Cornell, Brown will be ready to tackle a squad that is still wondering why it didn't meet it's preseason billing. Brown, 17-10.