PLAYERS TO WATCH QB Mark Borda (Sr.), RB Eric Rath (Sr.), WR Gerran Walker (Sr.), WR Lee Thomas (Jr.), DL Royce Morgan (Sr.), DL Matt Mohler (Jr.), LB Anthony Graziani (Sr.), LB Matt Purdy (Sr.), CB Kaloma Cardwell (Sr.)

KEY GAMES at Harvard (Oct. 1), at Colgate (Oct. 29), vs. Lafayette (Nov. 19)

2005 OUTLOOK The Mountain Hawks should return to the top of the Patriot League mountain this year, after ceding the title to Lafayette last season. Lehigh still made the I-AA playoffs as an at-large bid, but after an early loss to Delaware this season and a road date at Harvard still looming, the Patriot’s automatic bid might be the only sure route back to the field of 16 this year. The Mountain Hawks get the Leopards at home this year for the 141st meeting of college football’s most-played rivalry, and it should cruise to victory. Lehigh should put together a 9-2 regular season—6-0 in the Patriot League—and venture a couple rounds deep in the I-AA playoffs.

Cornell Big Red:

AREA OF STRENGTH Skill Positions

AREA OF WEAKNESS Special Teams

PLAYERS TO WATCH QB Ryan Kuhn (Sr.), RB Andre Hardaway (Sr.), RB Joshua Johnston (Sr.), WR Brian Romney (Sr.), TE Chris Eckstein (Sr.), T Kevin Boothe (Sr.), DL Matt Pollock (Sr.), LB Joel Sussman (Sr.), LB Patrick Potts (Sr.), S Kevin Rex (Sr.)

KEY GAMES vs. Harvard (Oct. 8), vs. Brown (Oct. 22), at Penn (Nov. 19)

2005 OUTLOOK Though overshadowed by Brown in the race to be named the Ivies’ dark horse, Cornell fields a veteran squad that should be able to build on its 3-1 finish to 2004. The Big Red has a favorable schedule, with four of its first six games at home—including home dates with contenders Harvard and Brown. A couple of lucky bounces could line Cornell up to travel to Philadelphia in the final week of the season to take on Penn for a shot at the Ivy title. Look for the weak special teams to hurt the Big Red on one or two pivotal occasions, relegating the squad to a 4-3 Ivy finish.

Lafayete Leopards:

AREA OF STRENGTH Defense

AREA OF WEAKNESS Running Back

PLAYERS TO WATCH QB Brad Maurer (Jr.), RB Jonathan Hurt (Jr.), WR Brandon Stanford (Sr.), T Drew Buettner (Sr.), C Robert Stroble (Sr.), DL Marvin Snipes (Jr.), LB Maurice Bennett (Sr.), LB Andrew Brown (Sr.), CB Larry Johnson (Sr.)

KEY GAMES vs. Harvard (Oct. 15), vs. Colgate (Nov. 5), at Lehigh (Nov. 19)

2005 OUTLOOK With the loss of 2004 Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year Joe McCourt, the run-oriented Leopards might have trouble moving the ball this season. The defense, anchored by Buchanan Award hopeful Bennett, should be particularly stingy, but shouldn’t be relied upon to post goose eggs all year. While Lehigh appears to be the class of the league, if Lafayette can get past Colgate at home, the Leopards should be primed for a title bout against the Mountain Hawks on Nov. 19. Lafayette won’t be able to top Lehigh, but its 9-2 overall mark (5-1 Patriot) could put it in the running for an at-large bid.