This Saturday marks a pivotal moment in Ivy League football as Harvard seeks to secure at least a share of the championship for the third consecutive year. To achieve this feat, the Crimson, currently undefeated in league play at 5-0, only need to triumph over Penn. A victory would also grant Harvard the league’s first-ever automatic bid to the FCS playoffs, contingent on a Yale loss to Princeton.
Ranked seventh in the Stats Perform media poll and eleventh in the AFCA coaches poll, Harvard is one of the five remaining unbeaten teams in the FCS. The Crimson have shown formidable strength this season, recently winning four straight games against Penn. However, those contests have been closely contested, including last year’s nail-biter where Harvard secured the win with a last-second field goal.
Currently, Yale trails Harvard with a 4-1 record in the league, while Cornell, Dartmouth, and Penn are in pursuit of the title with 3-2 records. Each of these teams has an opportunity to share the crown, requiring both victories this weekend and losses for Harvard and Yale to remain in the title chase. Over the previous two seasons, the Ivy League has witnessed three teams end up sharing the championship at 5-2.
The Ivy League has demonstrated its competitiveness beyond just one league, finishing non-conference play with a commendable 16-8 record. This success reflects the league’s strong performance over recent years, as they have recorded a 135-57 overall non-conference record since 2017.
Numerous Ivy players are also gaining recognition at the national level. Eight student-athletes from the league made the Phil Steele Midseason All-America Team, exemplifying the high caliber of talent. Additionally, six league players are set to showcase their skills in the East-West Shrine Bowl, with a focus on players likely to transition to the NFL soon.
The 2024 season brings hope and excitement as the Ivy League prepares to compete in the NCAA Division I FCS playoffs, having recently received approval from the Ivy League Council of Presidents. With the spotlight on exceptional student-athletes and the riveting competition within the league, the future looks bright for Ivy League football as it continues to evolve and thrive.