Ivy teams at a glance

Brown:

Coach (years): Phil Estes (16)

Record last year (Ivy finish): 7-3, 4-3 Ivy (tied for 3rd)

Player to watch: Senior wide receiver Tellef Lundevall

The Skinny: The Bears are predicted to have a third place finish in the Ivy League for the second year in a row. Senior Patrick Donnellywas ranked the second-best quarterback in the league in 2012 after missing most of 2011 due to injury. Last season he was third in the Ivy League for passing yards per game and touchdowns. Lundevall and All-Ivy kicker Alex Noroceawill lead the Brown offense. Three senior All-Ivy selections, defensive end Michael Yules, defensive back Emory Polley and linebacker Adewole Oyalowo,will be the core of the Bears’ defense.

Ivy Media Poll predicted finish: 3rd

Columbia:

Coach (years): Pete Mangurian (2)

Record last year (Ivy finish): 3-7, 2-5 Ivy (tied for 6th)

Player to watch: Sophomore wide receiver Chris Connors

The Skinny: Columbia improved its 3-7 record last season from Norries Wilson’s final season in 2011(1-9, 1-6 Ivy) with the addition of head coach Pete Mangurian. Despite the slightly better season, Lions football had a rocky year. When members of the football team were caught sending racist and homophobic tweets, the team sunk deeper than it had before. It wasn’t just bad football anymore — the face of the program was trashed. The 2013 captains, seniors Seyi Adebayo, Marcorus Garrett, Hamilton Garner and Zach Olingerwill lead the team in its campaign to climb in the league despite the Lions’ predicted 8th place finish.

Ivy Media Poll predicted finish: 8th

Cornell:

Coach (years): David Archer (1)

Record last year (Ivy finish): 4-6, 2-5 Ivy (tied for 6th)

Player to watch: Senior quarterback Jeff Mathews

The Skinny: In his final season, Mathews will once again be the key to Cornell’s success. Last season he became Cornell’s career passing leader with 8,331 yards over three years — second all-time in Ivy League history. In last year’s matchup against Penn, Mathews threw 445 yards, a touchdown and a two-point conversion in the Big Red’s loss to Penn. He will have senior wide receiver Grant Gellatlyin his sights. In 2012, Gellatly finished second for receiving yards with 940 yards.

Ivy Media Poll predicted finish: 6th

Dartmouth:

Coach (years): Buddy Teevens (14)

Record last year (Ivy finish): 6-4, 4-3 Ivy (tied for 3rd)

Player to watch: Senior tailback Dominick Pierre

The Skinny: The Big Green is hoping to improve upon its 3rd place finish in 2012. Senior tailback Dominick Pierre will lead the team, being a second team All-Ivy pick last year after running 830 years and nine touchdowns. Sophomore Dalyn Williams and junior Alex Park will be competing for the job of starting quarterback. Williams is the reigning Ivy League Rookie of the Year, while Park started in seven games last season. Senior linebacker Michael Runger led the Ivy League with 98 tackles last fall. Fellow senior Bronson Green will make the line backing unit one to be reckoned with this season.

Ivy Media Poll predicted finish: 4th

Harvard

Coach (years): Tim Murphy (20)

Record last year (Ivy finish): 8-2, 5-2 Ivy (2nd)

Player to watch: Senior tight end Cameron Brate

The Skinny: Head coach Tim Murphy kicks off his second decade in Cambridge with Brate, a preseason All-American selection,as his star offensive weapon. And to match his high-powered offense, Murphy headlines his front seven with junior defensive end Zach Hodgesand senior defensive back Chris Splinter,who led the league in interceptions last year. Trailing Penn by one game at the end of last season, the Crimson are putting the pressure on the Quakers with a stacked roster and something to prove.

Ivy Media Poll predicted finish: 2nd

Penn

Coach (years): Al Bagnoli (22)

Record last year (Ivy finish): 6-4, 6-1 Ivy (1st)

Player to watch: Junior linebacker Dan Davis

The Skinny: Hot off their third title in four years, the Quakers are back and ready to defend their title as Ivy League champs in 2013. Experienced coach Al Bagnoli, starting his 22nd run on the sidelines of Franklin Field, is matched with an experienced offensive backfield of fifth-year seniors, quarterback Billy Ragone and Brandon Colavitadespite the unexpected loss of Lyle Marsh.On the other side of the ball, Davis, last year’s first-team All-Ivy pick,will anchor for the solid Red and Blue defense.

Ivy Media Poll predicted finish: 1st

Princeton

Coach (years): Bob Surace (4)

Record last year (Ivy finish): 5-5, 4-3 Ivy (tied for 3rd)

Player to watch: Senior defensive lineman Caraun Reid

The Skinny: The Tigers are making their way up the rungs of the Ivy League ladder. Projected to be league bottom-dwellers last season, Princeton managed to pull off a tie for third place with Brown and Dartmouthwhile recovering from the loss of 27 seniors in 2011. Coach Bob Surace is looking to senior defensive lineman and preseason Buck Buchanan Awardshort list member Reid to lead the way to an Ivy title in 2013.

Ivy Media Poll predicted finish: 5th

Yale

Coach (years): Tony Reno (2)

Record last year (Ivy finish): 2-8, 1-6 Ivy (8th)

Player to watch: Junior tailback Tyler Varga

The Skinny: Expected to sit near the bottom of the Ivy standings again this season, Yale is leaning heavily on Varga for redemption. Varga was among the nation’s leaders in all-purpose yards last year and returns this season to give the Elis a versatile front behind which they can rally. But with patchy performances last year and a final record of only two victories, it’ll be a long road back for the Bulldogs.

SEE ALSO

Penn football’s fight for four

Penn football’s young D-line Cope-ing with inexperience

Young backs carrying the load for Penn football

Penn’s defensive backs are oldies AND goodies

Tony | Not so fast, my friend

An in-depth look at the depth chart for Penn football

30 Second with junior linebacker Dan Davis

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