Harvard-Yale Game

The Bulldogs

Yale has seen more success in 2019. The Bulldogs finished 2018 with a record of 5-5. Yale has had more accomplishments this season winning eight games thus far. The Bulldogs’ only loss came to conference opponent Dartmouth. The Big Green won the game by a final score of 42-10.  Yale bounced back from that loss rattling off five straight wins. The Bulldogs are coming off a 51-14 upset win, on the road, against conference foe Princeton.  Due to the win last week, Yale can beat Harvard and clinch a share of the 2019 Ivy League Championship. The Bulldogs can win it outright if Dartmouth loses to Brown. Two years ago, Yale found itself in a similar situation. On that day, Yale defeated Harvard to win the Ivy League title outright. The Bulldogs hope lightning strikes twice to win their second Ivy League Championship in three years.

Players to Watch: Yale

Quarterback Kurt Rawlings leads the Yale offense with 2,585 passing yards and 24 touchdowns. On defense, Ryan Burke and Kyle Ellis lead the Bulldogs in tackles. Both defenders have registered 41 total tackles. The offense is averaging 38 points per game through nine games. Furthermore, they have only scored below 20 points once the whole season. This offense has torched opposing defenses in 2019 and looks to do the same against the Harvard defense.  The Yale defense is giving up 24 points per game. Four teams have scored 20 points or more during this season. The Bulldogs defensively hope to continue their shutdown dominance in this edition of the Harvard-Yale game

The Crimson

Harvard has regressed in 2019. The Crimson concluded 2018 with a record of 6-4. Harvard has only managed four wins this year. The Crimson have lost four games in a row. Harvard last tasted victory on October 19^th against Holy Cross. The Crimson won the game by a final score of 31-21. Since then, Harvard has lost to Princeton, Dartmouth Columbia, and Penn. Harvard won last year’s game against Yale. Fenway Park hosted the game last year and the Crimson won by a final score of 45-27. I would characterize the last upset in this series took place in 2016. Harvard entered at 7-2 and Yale came in 2-7. The Bulldogs prevailed on that afternoon by a final score of 21-14. Harvard hopes the 2016 magic will shine on them this year, as they hope to dash the Ivy League Championship hopes of Yale.

Players to Watch: Harvard

Harvard is led offensively by quarterback Jake Smith. Smith leads the Crimson with 2,007 passing yards and 17 touchdowns. Cole Thompson has registered the most tackles for Harvard in 2019 with 51 total. The Crimson offense has not lacked scoring in 2019. In fact, only been held under 20 points twice all season. The losses are not for lack of scoring. The defense has let Harvard down more so in 2019. The Crimson defense has given up 19 points per game. While Yale is statistically worse in terms of points given up, they have the offense to bail them out. Harvard hopes their offense and defense can get on the same page and put together the complete-game victory.

Series History

Of the 135 meetings, Yale has won 67 games. Harvard has won 60 games and there have been eight ties. Harvard holds the longest win streak in the rivalry, winning nine games in a row. Yale has won six games in a row on two separate occasions. This is always a competitive matchup year in and year out. No matter what the records are, this game usually comes down to the wire. Look for a key offensive or defensive play to decide the winner on Saturday. Last year, ESPN2 covered the game. This year, the game will be televised on ESPNU from the Yale Bowl in Connecticut. Both teams hope to shine on the national stage and make all the right plays to give themselves a chance at a victory. Tune in to ESPNU at 11:00 am central for the 136th edition of the Harvard-Yale Game. Will Yale win its second Ivy League Championship in three years or will Harvard salvage their season and win their second straight in the rivalry?