“For the first time since we’ve been here as staff, we’ve got competition at every level,” he said. “Our approach in the offseason was to get better, specifically in the strength area.”

The most evident site of competition is the quarterback role, where four contenders will vie to replace Morgan Roberts. In his three years with the program, Roberts racked up more passing yards (6,182) than any other Yale graduate.

Matters are more settled on defense, as 12 of the top 14 tacklers on the team will suit up in 2016. Complimenting this contingent is senior Foyesade Oluokon, an All-Ivy safety in 2014 who sat out last year with an injury.

Still, a year after finishing fourth, the Bulldogs face a stiff task in leapfrogging the reigning tri-champions.

Princeton, 79 points

Versatile athleticism defines this year’s Princeton team.

First there is John Lovett, a first-team All-Ivy selection last year. Sometimes lining up as a dual-threat quarterback, the junior will take snaps at running back this season, hoping to match his 6.5 yard-per-carry average in 2015.

Then there is Charlie Volker. Last December the then-freshman, who also competes for the track team, broke the school record in the 60-yard dash. Such speed will be on display come September, as Volker will share carries with Lovett.

Senior quarterback Chad Kanoff holds the keys to this high-powered offense, and coach Bob Surace has indicated that, in keeping with past years, the team will play up-tempo.

Whether the defense can keep up with this frenetic pace is a different question. But the Tigers sport impressive depth in the front seven, giving reason to believe that Princeton will be a tough out this season.

Brown, 61 points (one first-place vote)

By most measures, last season’s Harvard-Brown matchup—which ended as a 53-27 Crimson rout—was not an entertaining contest. It was, however, a revealing glimpse into the Bears’ future.

In the second half of that game, then-junior Kyle Moreno relieved starter Marcus Fuller and put on a fine performance, totaling 307 yards on 20-of-31 passing. This year Moreno returns as Brown’s true starter, and he’ll likely spend a lot of time connecting with senior wide receiver Alexander Jette, the Bears’ lone selection on the 2015 All-Ivy first team.

Also in that Harvard beatdown, a young defensive unit held the Crimson scoreless in the final 20 minutes of play. Led by senior defensive end Richard Jarvis, that unit returns mostly intact for 2016.

However, the true strength of this season’s Bears was on display throughout all of 2015, rout or not. That strength is the offensive line, which returns all five starters this year.