Today's game means nothing. Bucknell could clobber the Crimson. The Crimson could clobber Bucknell. The teams could fight to a 0-0 tie.

But Bucknell's 1-1 Colonial League record will not change. And Harvard's 1-0 Ivy League record will not change. Both teams will be as close or as far from a league title as they were a week ago.

Win, lose or draw today, both teams will stand still.

Next week, Harvard will resume its Ivy League schedule. The fight for the league title will be on again. Next week, Harvard will play Cornell in a game that matters.

Next week, Bucknell will resume its Colonial League schedule. The fight for the league title will be on again. Next week, Bucknell will play Lafayette in a game that matters.

Today's game means nothing. One team could throw 10 touchdown passes. The other could rush for over 500 yards.

One team could kick 40 field goals. The other could record 40 sacks.

The college record books would duly note the achievements. But not the Colonial records books. Or the Ivy record books. Great achievements may take place on the field today, but nothing will change in either of those league books. Next week, maybe. Today, no.

Today's game means nothing. Or, almost nothing. There are hidden reasons for everything. Even out-of-league games.

Consider the following:

Competition: Bucknell versus Columbia? Which team do you bet on? Northeastern versus Dartmouth? Colgate versus Cornell? Which team are you going to put $10 on?

Let's face it, the Colonial League not only has bigger teams, but better ones. By playing Bucknell, Harvard competes against a better team than it is used to facing.

Playing a better team makes you better. A simple football law.

Confidence: Last Saturday, Harvard was a four-point underdog to Northeastern. But the Crimson pounded the Huskies, 27-24. Take that, Colonial League.

An upset does wonders for the ego. Another football law.