Reese made a statement in his first collegiate game last year by rushing for 72 yards against Harvard in limited minutes.

The Lions need to establish the running game in order to open up the air attack. Although it has a fast and skilled wide receiver in Amand Dawkins, questions abound as to who will get him the ball.

Heading into practice this week, Columbia had no clear starter with three players competing for the job. Senior Mike Glynn is the favorite to receive the nod, but anyone coach Ray Tellier chooses will be making his first college start.

"As a defensive lineman all I need to hear is that this is his first start," said senior defensive tackle Chris Nowinski said. "I just want to do my part to welcome him to the league and rattle him a bit."

Kacyvenski always looms for Harvard ready to terrorize whoever has the ball. With 14 more tackles, he will become Harvard's all-time leader.

"[Kacyvenski] is the heart of the defense," Nowinski said. "Without a question he's the leader in the huddle and we rally around him."

The one wild card for this game lurking in the background is the weather. All questions about observing the line and three-step drops become moot if Hurricane Floyd turns Harvard Stadium into a mud bowl and the game into pure grinding, smash-mouth football.

Still, Harvard needs to get back on the winning track after a disappointing 1998. Tomorrow's game may expose its flaws, but overall Columbia is among the weaker opponents on the schedule and the team probably does not have to be perfect to win.