RFC Summer Semester--Ivy League Preview (FCS)

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2011 Final Standings

Looking back: Harvard ruled the roost in the Ivy League, as the Crimson cruised to an undefeated record (7-0) in league play en route to a 9-1 overall record in 2011.  Additionally, four teams (Brown, Penn, Yale, and Dartmouth) all finished in a four-way tie for second place.

Looking ahead: While most other conferences still find themselves in realignment mode, the Ivy League is one of the few leagues that likely won't be adding any new members, or see any current members leave, for that matter, anytime soon.  Otherwise, the other seven teams will spend 2012 trying to dethrone Harvard for the Ivy League crown.

On a media-related note, the Ivy League will have eight games on national television this season, with seven of those contests being shown on the NBC Sports Network, and one on the CBS Sports Network.

2012 Predicted Order of Finish (2011 overall record in parentheses)

1. Harvard (9-1):   The Crimson reeled off nine straight wins to close out 2011 after losing their season opener to Holy Cross, 30-22, on September 17.  They'll play six home games in 2012, starting with the season opener against San Diego on September 15.


2. Yale (5-5):  The Bulldogs will look to bounce back after an up-and-down 2011 season.  They'll try to do just that under new head coach Tony Reno.


3. Brown (7-3):  Most programs would be happy with a seven-win season.  Not the Brown Bears.  Why?  After starting last season at 7-1, the Bears lost their final two games of the year to finish in a four-way tie for second place in the Ivy League at 4-3.  It'll be interesting to see if they can redeem themselves this season.


4. Penn (5-5):  The Quakers played in their share of close games in 2011, going 4-3 in games decided by 12 points or less. 


5. Dartmouth (5-5):  Three straight wins over Cornell, Brown and Princeton to close out the 2011 season after a 2-5 start are giving the Big Green faithful a good reason to be hopeful for the 2012 season.


6. Cornell (5-5):  Like the Big Green, the Big Red also finished the 2011 season strong after a sluggish start.  Unlike the Big Green, though, the Big Red won back-to-back games to finish at .500 overall, and 3-4 in Ivy League play after starting the season at 2-5.   Like Dartmouth, the Cornell faithful also have reason to be hopeful going into the 2012 season.


7. Columbia (1-9):  The Lions may have won only one game last season.  But that lone victory came in the final game of the year, in dramatic fashion, as the Lions upset Brown, 35-28, in double overtime.  They hope to carry the momentum from that unlikely win into this season.

8. Princeton (1-9):  A close win over the Lions was the lone bright spot in a disappointing season for the Tigers.