Given that, I don’t think it’s an overstatement to say we are going to see into the football team’s soul this weekend. OK, maybe that’s a bit much, but still. How the Crimson responds to last year’s collapse will tell us a lot about what type of team we are actually dealing with this year.

So how will Harvard’s cover letter turn out? I’m glad you asked….

PRINCETON AT HARVARD

For the first time in a long time, the Tigers are contenders again. But Harvard’s not going anywhere. My biggest concern is that Princeton’s defensive advantage over a banged-up offensive line will be too large for the Crimson to overcome, but I think junior quarterback Conner Hempel will give the Crimson just enough in his return from injury.

PICK: HARVARD 41, PRINCETON 37

BROWN AT CORNELL

In a battle of the Crimson’s leftovers, the Bears and Big Red are both fighting for their first league win. In the end, Cornell quarterback Jeff Mathews won’t get enough support in his final chance to beat Brown as his squad continues to struggle in the red zone.

PICK: BROWN 35, CORNELL 27

YALE AT PENNSYLVANIA

Are the Bulldogs finally back? They beat Cornell in September and led Dartmouth two weeks ago before losing a fourth-quarter lead. A second straight victory over Penn would be quite a statement for a team that was 1-6 in the league last year. It’s a nice thought, but the Quakers won’t let it happen.

PICK: PENN 30, YALE 16

COLUMBIA AT DARTMOUTH

If the Ivy League had a player draft each offseason with the worst team picking first, this game might have some meaning. Unfortunately for the Lions, such a system isn’t in place. Columbia gave up three times as many points as it scored last week in a 21-7 loss to Penn. It was still the closest game the Lions have played as they’ve been outscored 187-45 through five weeks.

PICK: DARTMOUTH 31, COLUMBIA 10

—Staff writer Jacob D. H. Feldman can be reached at jacob.feldman@thecrimson.com.