The injury-riddled Harvard varsity wrestling squad will be a decided underdog when it plays host to the talented Boston University team at 3:30 p.m. today at the IAB.

After going winless in their first two matches against Rutgers and Springfield, the Crimson grapplers will have little chance to break into the scoring column against a Terrier squad that has blanked New Hampshire, destroyed Massachusetts, and lost a squeaker to Rhode Island, the best team in New England.

"It's not too easy to be overly optimistic about facing any team at this point in the schedule," Crimson coach Johnny Lee said yesterday.

"The improvement that the kids are making is being offset by the loss of Carl Biello and Bruce Johnson," Lee added. "It makes things tough."

Dave Albert will try to reproduce the fine effort he had at 118 pounds against Springfield, while fellow sophomore Milt Yasanaga will battle at 126.

Undefeated freshman 134-pounder Bob Cusumano will try to continue his winning skein and Ty Richardson will command the 142-pound slot.

Lee has put a new twist in the line-up by putting untested freshman John Franklin at 150 in place of Mike Dee, who has been shuffled to 158.

"I'm looking forward to this match," Franklin stated regarding his maiden voyage. "I've been working very hard for this."

Scott Meadow will be at 167 pounds while Jim Strathmeyer will be featured at 177. B.U. co-captain Mark Jones in the most competitive match of the day. Crimson mainstay Bart VanDissel and the mammoth Kip Smith will command the 190 and heavyweight classes respectively.

The Crimson matmen may have to wait for Santa Claus to come before they can have something to cheer about this year.