When Harvard football stares across the field at Columbia tomorrow, it will see everything it doesn't want to become.

Two years ago, Columbia went 8-2, the school's best performance in 51 years. Last year, the Lions wilted to 4-6 (3-4 Ivy).

Harvard finished 9-1 (7-0 Ivy) last year, the school's best season in 78 years. The goal this year is to prove that Harvard has built a program that can sustain a series of good years. Beating Columbia would be the first step.

The Crimson appears to have an over-whelming talent advantage, but early injuries have clouded the picture. Junior quarterback Rich Linden practiced this week and should play, and junior defensive end Brian Howard will also start. Junior end Mike Sands' status is uncertain, but he will travel.

Even if Sands can't play, Harvard's defense should still be strong enough to contain Columbia's offense, whose only score in last year's 45-7 Harvard victory was a bomb to tight end Bert Bondi.

Bondi, a First Team All-Ivy selection, provides one aerial threat, but Harvard Coach Tim Murphy said Columbia wide receiver Armond Dawkins could be another major threat.

The Lions also have a trio of running backs the coaches like so much that they moved 1996 leading rusher Jason Bivens to defense. Norman Hayes, who had 465 yards last year, is the main back. He came on strong late last year after Columbia had already played Harvard.

There is a question at quarterback, where Paris Childress, who has had mixed results, will get the start.

The Crimson would like to rely on a defensive line that lost four starters to exploit Childress' inexperience. Captain Brendan Bibro missed most of last year with an injury, so the line hasn't had much game experience in its present arrangement. If the line can neutralize opposing runners and put pressure on the quarterback without requiring the help of blitzes, Harvard's defense will be dominant again.

The reason is the abundance of experienced talent at the other positions. Harvard's linebacking rotation of two seniors and two juniors will have to take more of a leadership role in the defense now, but all are good run-stuffers.

Even the secondary, which lost safety Jeff Compas to graduation, has four one-time starters returning. Senior Derek Yankoff, who played corner last year, will slide over to free safety, and junior Kane Waller will move into Yankoff's corner spot. Senior corner Glenn Jackson led the team with six interceptions last year, and Aron Natale is an effective two-way defender.

Without an experienced quarterback, Columbia will have trouble moving the ball against Harvard's eight-man fronts, which dare the other team to throw the ball.

Despite the questions on the defensive line, the most carefully watched part of Harvard's team may be the wide receivers. Junior quarterback Rich Linden had plenty of targets last year, as three wide receivers spread opposing defenses. Two of those threats are gone, however, and junior Terence Patterson will have to shoulder the load of go-to receiver.

Other teams might double-cover Patterson on passing downs until a second receiver steps up as a threat, but Murphy said he thinks Patterson will be difficult to double in three wide receiver formations. Columbia has its own problems in the secondary, however, because only free safety Chris Tillotson returns. Tillotson finished fourth in the nation last year with seven interceptions.

"We'll try not to be conservative," Murphy said. "As always, we'll try to throw to set up the run."

This game will be the first chance for Harvard's offense to prove that it can be as explosive as it was last year. Linden, who had the second-most passing yards and touchdowns in school history last season, had three touchdown passes against Columbia in last year's opener. He has mastered Murphy's offense, and Harvard hopes that translates into continued success despite unproven receivers.

Junior running back Chris Menick, who set single-season rushing yardage and touchdown records last year, should once again be the offense's main weapon. During the preseason, he faced the prospect of splitting time with senior Troy Jones, who rushed for 100 yards and two touchdowns against Columbia last year, but Jones broke his arm in a preseason scrimmage and is out for the year.

Junior fullback Damon Jones, who also scored against the Lions, has undergone season-ending surgery. Sophomore Grady Smalling gets his first start.

The game is also the first start for sophomore left tackle Mike Clare, who is replacing Minnesota Viking Matt Birk.

If Harvard's offense has been paying attention during practice, it should be able to adjust to Columbia's new defensive scheme. Columbia is installing a version of Harvard's attacking eight-man front defense.

As for homefield advantage, Columbia plays on Baker Field, which has artificial turf. Harvard does not play on turf very often but won at Cornell 34-9 last year. The Crimson has practiced at Boston University's astroturf field this week.

"Two years ago, I might have been worried because of our team speed," Murphy said. "It's not that much of a problem now."

FOOTBALL GAME PREVIEW

HARVARD

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

Head Coach: Tim Murphy

Captain: Brendan Bibro

Site: Baker Field

Kickoff: 1:30 p.m.

On Radio: WHRB 94.5 FM

Tickets: Call (212) 854-2546.

Last Meeting: Harvard won, 45-7, in 1997 at home.

Series History: Harvard leads, 43-12-1.

COLUMBIA

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

Head Coach: Ray Tellier

Captains: Four players.