Harvard at Princeton, 1 p.m., ESPN+
I’m absolutely fired up for this one. It’s an undefeated Ivy League battle, with a battle for the top of the league set up for either next week or the week after against Dartmouth, depending on the winner – the unbeaten Big Green travel to Harvard next week and host Princeton the week after.
As for the matchup itself, this is good against good on both sides of the football. Princeton and Harvard and No. 1 and 2 in scoring in the Ivy League and No. 3 and 1 in defensive scoring. Princeton passes the hell out of the ball in Mike Willis’ wide-open offense, with quarterback Cole Smith developing one of the best passers at the FCS level this season. Harvard runs the hell out of the ball, led by baby Saquon, Aidan Borguet, and the even better Aaron Shampklin. I have no confidence in QB Charlie Dean, but the two-headed backfield is good enough to make up for it.
I think that Harvard probably wins here. The defense is quite a bit better, even though it struggles a little more than I’d like against the pass. Princeton is a bit more boom or bust than I’m willing to trust in a big game either – just as a general rule, I prefer teams that can grind out yards when things get close to those that lean on huge passes as a primary attack plan.
But, the margin isn’t large. This might be the best game of the entire weekend. If you have ESPN+, you should watch. Especially with a bad Noon slate outside of it.
Western Michigan at Toledo, 3:30 p.m., CBSSN
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