ADVANTAGE: HARVARD

LINEBACKERS

It’s not as if Yale has terrible linebackers. It’s just that the Bulldogs don’t have sophomore superstar Dante Balestracci, the league’s best.

Harvard’s most prized defensive possession, Balestracci will likely finish the year first in team tackles despite missing two games with an injury. He is a behemoth in the middle, swallowing up anyone who dares cross his path. Following up his Ivy Rookie of the Year campaign of last season, Balestracci has demonstrated his immense talent throughout the 2001 season. Don’t be surprised if he scores a touchdown for Harvard in The Game.

Harvard senior Eric LaHaie is fourth on the team in tackles and will likely earn himself All-Ivy credentials. Junior John Perry also made a name for himself this season against Northeastern, forcing a fumble and returning it 85 yards for a touchdown.

Yale’s two best linebackers from last season, Peter Mazza and Chris Eger, both graduated. Sophomore Tate Rich is Yale’s most feared, forcing three fumbles and recording two sacks thus far this season. Nevertheless, Palazzo and Staph could have big days running the football.

ADVANTAGE: HARVARD

SECONDARY

Yale has a quality secondary, headlined by two safeties, senior Ryan LoPresto and sophomore Barton Simmons.

The strength of the Bulldogs’ defense, Simmons has two interceptions on the year and leads the team in tackles with 63. LoPresto is right behind with him 52. LoPresto had two interceptions late in the fourth quarter against Rose last year.

Harvard’s secondary, thought to be the team’s biggest weakness, has shut down opposing quarterbacks all season.

Senior Willie Alford will likely be awarded a First Team All-Ivy award. He is one of the best coverage cornerbacks in league and is rarely thrown at. Senior safety Andy Fried is the defense’s biggest clutch performer. He has single-handedly turned around the momentum in numerous games this year with bone-jarring hits. He has a knack for forcing fumbles and loves to blitz, tallying four sacks on the year.

I was going to call this one a push, just to be fair to Yale. Then, I listened to Alford’s thoughts on this year’s defensive backfield.