The Crimson defense will hope to prevent another dramatic moment for Dartmouth. That unit, however, is reeling from the Princeton rout.

“We looked at the film, and we were playing tentative,” senior safety Tim Haehl said. “That’s not how we should play. DBs have never played that way here.”

Harvard needs a turnaround to happen quickly because the team faces a stacked schedule over the final weeks. After Dartmouth, the Crimson still must play the unbeaten Lions, the defending-champion Quakers, and the high-scoring Bulldogs.

Still, Crimson players have reason for slight hope. If Harvard wins out, Yale beats Columbia, and a few other matchups fall into place, the Crimson can still claim a share of the championship. The path is unlikely, especially given the success of the Lions, but still possible.

“You start looking down the road, and it’s easy to lose focus,” Murphy said. “All that matters right now is Dartmouth.”

The 2017 season is at a real crossroads. Look down one path, and you can see a Harvard team with a 1-6 Ivy record. Look down another, and you can envision an Ancient Eight title.

Historic defeat or historic comeback—either road starts this Saturday at Harvard Stadium. Given the stakes, can fans expect a rerun of the 2015 classic?

Offensive lineman Tim O’Brien chuckled when asked that question.

“I would not like it to be so close,” the junior said. “I’d like to win by more, obviously. But it’s going to be a battle.”

—Staff writer Sam Danello can be reached at sam.danello@thecrimson.com.