With less pressure on its secondary, Harvard's much-heralded defensive front four and linebackers-third in the nation against the run last season-should have an easier time stopping Bivens and fullback Bert Bondi, himself also a receiving threat in short yardage situations.

Harvard's defense returns all 11 starters and will be the Crimson's cornerstone this season. The defensive schemes that had to be learned last year must be mastered if Harvard is to contend.

"We've repped every defense we've got, so we can play it against anybody in the league," Kacyvenski said. "There were a lot of new people last year, so everyone was scrambling a lot to learn the defense. This year we can be a lot more complex."

Perhaps more important than the nuts and bolts and the on-paper matchups of this game are the many X-factors involved. Columbia has had several minor injuries during the preseason that have prevented Tellier from running full-squad practices. How the dearth of practice time will affect the Lions' chemistry remains to be seen.

Furthermore there is a revenge factor to consider. Harvard led last season's matchup 13-0 at halftime before surrendering the lead. Its players have a mandate to prove that they can take a lead and hold it.

"We went up 13-0 last year and ended up blowing it, Kacyvenski said. This year we're not going to stop until the end of the game."

The preseason Ivy League coaches poll, which predicts a second place finish for Harvard, would suggest that this year will be different than last. The presence of 17 seniors on the team, members of Murphy's first recruiting class, would suggest that this team has a new attitude.

"As far as the seniors go, this is the last chance we're going to have for the rest of our lives, Smith said. We're certainly not going to leave anything on the field."

All that remains is for this team to finally justify its press clippings.

"We've been practicing for three weeks already," Menick said. "We're ready to kick some ass."

FOOTBALL GAME PREVIEW

HARVARD

(0-0-0) Ivy, (0-0-0) Overall

Head Coach: Tim Murphy

Captain: Brendan Bibro