As a team, Yale has racked up 17 interceptions and its +1.56 turnover ratio is third-best in the nation. Compared to Harvard's less-than-stellar -1.11 turnover ratio, it will be worth watching for any costly Harvard mistakes on its first few offensive drives.

"Turnovers have been a major thorn in our side," Clare said. "If we're going to win, we have to protect the ball."

As further proof of Yale's defensive prowess, the Elis have the league's lowest opponent's scoring average with 17.67 points per game. Yale's best defensive performance came against Columbia, when the Elis shut out the Lions en route to a 41-0 romp.

The sharp clash between the powerful Crimson offense and the formidable Eli defense is certainly a marquee match-up. However, the other half of The Game--when the resurgent Harvard defense goes against the solid Yale offense--will be just as interesting, if not more important.

The Elis will be led offensively by junior quarterback Peter Lee. Lee, who beat out fellow junior T.J. Nyland to succeed the illustrious Walland, does not have the mobility of his predecessor, but does possess a powerful arm. On the season, the 6'5 junior has thrown for 17 touchdowns and is just 40 yards shy of the 2,000 passing yard plateau.

One of Lee's favorite targets tomorrow will undoubtedly be the hero--or villain, depending on your allegiance--of last year's Game, senior wide receiver Eric Johnson. Last year, Johnson victimized the secondary in the second half of The Game to help Yale to a share of the Ivy title. This year, playing in his last game, Johnson will look to spark his team to its third straight win over the Crimson. He currently leads the team with 73 receptions and has caught 12 of Lee's 17 touchdown throws.

Rounding off the Eli offensive arsenal is former All-Ivy running back Rasheed Bartholomew. Bartholomew, who perennially ranks atop the league in rushing statistics, enters tomorrow's contest averaging 139.1 yards per game and has rushed for nine touchdowns in nine games.

In contrast with Harvard's offense-by-committee approach, it is clear that Yale counts on three players, one at each of the offensive skill positions, to carry the team and put up points. Far from being an ominous sign, Yale's exclusive use of certain players may be a blessing in disguise for Harvard's defense, which has steadily improved all season.

For instance, the Crimson has been able to focus on shutting down the running game of its opponents this season. Harvard again leads the Ivy League in rushing defense, holding opponents to 111 yards a game.

The Crimson has also demonstrated its ability to shut down dominating running backs. Against Columbia, Harvard kept rushing leader Johnathan Reese under 100 yards for the game, becoming just the second team to accomplish that against the powerful Reese. Ideally, Harvard would pursue a similar strategy in limiting Bartholomew's impact.

"We've done a good job all season of stopping the run," Balestracci said. "If we can control the line [of scrimmage], then we force them to pass and they only have one option."

As Harvard's defense has begun to gel over the last few weeks, a couple of pleasant surprises stand out. First is the play of wide-receiver-turned-cornerback Andy Fried. Fried, a 5'11 junior who played last year on the offensive side of the ball, has contributed impressively to the Crimson "D." He is currently second on the team in both tackles (73) and interceptions (2).

But the real story for the Harvard defense is the player who leads Fried in both of those categories. Balestracci, the true freshman from nearby New Bedford, Mass., leads the Crimson in tackles (80) and interceptions (3). Last week against Penn, Balestracci broke the record of Isaiah Kacyvenski '00 for most tackles in a season by a rookie. For a team that lost its defensive leader in Kacyvenski last year, Balestracci has shown that he can step in and fill those big shoes.

All around, it should be a good tilt regardless of which team has the ball at any given time. With such evenly-matched teams, it is likely that The Game may come down to a field goal or other special teams play. This is a thought that should worry any Harvard fan.

This season, the Crimson placekicking has been deplorable. Freshman Robbie Wright and sophomore Anders Blewett have combined to go 3-for-12 in field goal tries, ranking Harvard last in the league.