Dear Mom,

First, an apology. I really am sorry that I haven't written in a couple of weeks, but for one thing, I've been busy with hourlies and such things, and for another, you've been out of town. But you know that, don't you.

Second, another apology. It's about the Harvard-Yale game this afternoon. Now I know that you were really looking forward to it, and I did get you tickets, as requested, but here's what happened.

Undergraduates have less priority when it comes to Yale tickets than did employemnt in the Ford Administration. Most of the seats allotted in our direction are either in the endzone or obstructed view affairs, obstructed by the backs of the players.

Thus, I had to make a big decision. Was it worth your while to come to the game when a) you'd miss 95 per cent of it and b) it is being televised on ABC.

The answer arrived at was a resounding no, which, in combination with the fact that the temperature will no doubt be hovering around the point at which you never think I'm dressed warmly enough, is why I suggested the other night that it would be to your benefit to stay home and miss this one.

Now don't worry that I'm going to be stuck with extra tickets or anything. I could probably scalp them for at least half of this term's tuition, but I promised instead to give them to Dr. Sadowsky. You never know when a doctor's going to come in handy.

Anyway, that's where I'll be on Saturday afternoon in the event that you're trying to get in touch with me, but please don't unless it's an emergency. You don't like it when I try to talk to you while you're on the telephone, do you?

So that's about it. Take it easy, and I'll see you Thanksgiving if not sooner. Love,

P.S.--What are we doing for Thanksgiving, anyway?

It will be a good 44 weeks before I can make Ivy League football predictions agian, so I guess these will have to hold me over. And now, without further adieu, here are this week's winners (you've got to dig the confidence):

PENN at CORNELL: Who cares? Penn 2, Cornell 1.

DARTMOUTH at PRINCETON: Who cares? artmouth 23, Princeton 14.

BROWN at COLUMBIA: Who cares? Everybody, that's who. And who wants Columbia to win? Everybody, or at least everybody in The Stadium today, that's who. And who's going to win? Well, it hurts, it really hurts to say Brown, but unless there were a lot of black cats in Providence this week, it seems pretty certain that the Bruins will emerge with at least a share of their first Ivy League title ever. Maybe it will be closer than expected, but, alas, it's still Brown. Brown 20, Columbia 10, and there goes the Crimson hold on the championship. YALE at HARVARD: Now what do you want me to do? Sure, I think that if Yale was ever going to win, it will probably be now, but how can I pick Yale? I mean really, there's just no way, no way in the world. Even if you pay me (but please, no offers). And so, while my instincts say Yale, this column will say Harvard, and that's the only thing that counts. Harvard 16, Yale 12.

Last week: Two right, two wrong.

Season: 30 right, nine wrong. (.769, but you better doublecheck that division).

See you around Las Vegas, sports.