ANALYSIS: This year the Leopards decided to experiment with the option in order to take advantage of its positions of strength. That’s a good move for a team whose leading passer coming into the season had a total of one completion in his college career and whose leading receiver and leading rusher are the same person.

In its opener against Marist, the Lafayette ground attack was rolling to the tune of 289 yards on 56 carries and a time of possession of nearly 35 minutes. But the following week, Georgetown shut the Leopards down, allowing a scant 2.8 yards per carry.

After its matchup with the Bears the week prior, Harvard should be well-versed in stopping the run and should be able to match, if not surpass, the Hoyas’ effort. And the Crimson won’t have to worry about the pass, since the Leopards, themselves, have shut that dimension down by committing to the option.

PREDICTION: After Harvard’s done spanking the Leopards on Oct. 2, Lafayette will be glad that they don’t have to return to Easton, Penn., for a span of more than a month.

CORNELL

2003 record: 1-9 (0-7 Ivy)

ANALYSIS: The Big Red returns 18 starters from a squad that placed last in 10 different statistical categories. Last in scoring offense by a full touchdown and PAT, last in scoring defense, last in rushing offense, last in rushing defense, last in turnovers, and the list goes on. In other words, they couldn’t move the ball, they couldn’t stop the ball and they couldn’t hold onto the ball.

Shockingly, they managed just one victory last season and lost by double digits eight times.

First-year coach Jim Knowles has brought a new attitude to Ithaca, that’s for sure. But attitude can’t change the fact that his top returning running back gained only 446 yards last season and his top wideout posted just 36 receptions for 419. So there appears to be little relief in sight for a club that scored in double digits only five times last season never was able to score more than 24 points in a game.

PREDICTION: It’s six hours from Ithaca to Cambridge, but that will appear to be a brief instant compared to the interminable drubbing the Cornell will receive at Harvard Stadium.

NORTHEASTERN

2003 record: 8-4 (6-3 Atl. 10)

ANALYSIS: The Huskies opened up the 2004 season with a 71-0 win over Cheyney and followed it up with a 28-24 loss to Division I-A Navy—a team which capped off an impressive 2003 campaign with a bowl appearance.