The week leading up to the Princeton game has been marked by several intriguing personnel decisions.

Fitzpatrick was named the starter earlier in the week. Captain and quarterback Neil Rose could see time in the game as well, as Coach Murphy has not been shy about using both of them.

“Fitz will start, and nothing else is written in stone at this point,” Murphy said in an e-mail.

Rose has been plagued by a nagging back injury that has limited his effectiveness.

“The back won’t be 100 percent until sometime after I get surgery at the end of the year,” Rose said in an e-mail. “It’s hindered me greatly, but I’m healthy enough to play.”

Though the starting quarterback spot has been unpredictable from week to week, the volatility has not affected the quarterbacks’ preparation.

“I’ve been preparing for this game like I do any other, and I prepare the same whether or not I am the starter,” Rose said. “I know I’ll get in there—how long depends on how I play.”

The problem at kicker was addressed this week as well. Freshman Jim Morocco will start in place of senior Anders Blewett. Blewett has made only one field goal this year in three attempts. However, he is a perfect 20-for-20 on PATs.

Injuries have also been an issue this week, especially regarding Palazzo and sophomore wideout Rodney Byrnes.

Palazzo sat out last week’s game against Northeastern—a game in which the Crimson running backs ran for a mere seven yards.

“I am healthy and will be playing on Saturday,” Palazzo said.

Byrnes played through a nagging hip injury last week against the Huskies and accumulated 98 yards of total offense.

“[My hip is] the same as last week and the week before—playable,” Byrnes said in an e-mail. “I don’t know if ‘good’ is the word to describe it.”

If Harvard is victorious this weekend, it will play Penn in November with its Ivy League destiny in its own hands. However, if the Crimson does not survive this early season test, its chances of repeating as sole Ivy League champion will almost vanish.

—Contributing writer Michael James can be reached at mrjames@fas.harvard.edu.