Like Brown running back Nick Hartigan, Around the Ivy League caught fire last week, nailing four of the five contests, including two right on the number, to move to 10-7 on the season.

Let’s be honest, though­: it doesn’t take much skill to pick Columbia to lose. But throw 30 points the Lions’ way, and you’ll still pick them to lose, you might think about it a bit longer.

In that spirit, we’ve added a new wrinkle to Around the Ivy League. From now on, games will be selected based on the spreads provided by a popular internet wagering site that won’t be given free publicity in this space. With that short public service announcement out of the way, let’s get to the games.

GAME OF THE WEEK:

DARTMOUTH (+10) at YALE

The Big Green has officially become the first beneficiary of the new “against the spread” format.

Dartmouth coach Buddy Teevens has done a lot with a little—and even less with tailback Chad Gaudet sidelined since the season opener—while the Bulldogs have explored the flip side of that expression with their 1-2 start.

The Yale offense has provided fans and prognosticators with nothing but frustration thus far, as it followed up a 37-point explosion against Cornell with a three-quarter-long nap against Holy Cross before scrambling for 19 in the fourth to make a game of it.

Maybe Yale is just saving it all up for the Ivy schedule. Maybe Bulldogs coach Jack Siedlecki doesn’t see the vultures circling over head. Or maybe Yale is just disinterested with winning.

It’s always dangerous to pick Yale, but it’s ridiculous to have to give up double-digit points to do it. The Big Green lacks the experience to win on the road, but staying within 10 isn’t too much to ask.

BUCKNELL at PENN (-17.5)

Pity is the only enemy of those taking the Quakers and laying the points on the table.

The Bison enter the contest without the services of their top two quarterbacks. Last week, their starter under center was a converted cornerback who ran for 268 yards and three scores while attempting just two passes.

Bucknell is averaging just 45 yards per game through the air, though most of those were earned before its quarterback depth chart was amended to include room numbers at the local hospital.

Penn’s rushing defense, ranked third in the nation, will shut down the Bison ground game, and the backup Bucknell punter Ryan Korn—who assumed the role after the starter Phil Azarik came down with mononucleosis—will probably pull a hamstring cleaning up after the three-and-outs. If the Quakers so desired, they could win by 50. Restraint and sportsmanship could cut that number almost in half, but Penn will easily cover the points.