Author:
John Harvard (Harvard Nailed it)
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Date Posted: 11:51:43 10/20/25 Mon
In reply to:
Ivy wanna be
's message, "Week 5 thoughts and predictions" on 15:31:16 10/16/25 Thu
Harvard beat Merrimack 31-7, leaving "Fear the Quaker" looking almost spot on for a 31-8 prediction. You should have avoided the quirky inclination that Merrimack would somehow score an unlikely 8th point.
Merrimack presented a relatively conservative offensive scheme with a QB who dominates the offense with short passes (13/26 for 118 yards) and option runs(20 of team's 43 carries). Merrimack's defense was not a pushover, likely reflecting the fact that the school's former defensive coordinator recently became the head coach.
Harvard didn't get any big turnovers or many big plays, as Merrimack likely followed Cornell's approach and dropping 8 in coverage. Crimson scored in every quarter and gained 482 yards, 305 passing and 177 on the ground. Craig had some nice downfield throws and DJ Gordon ran for 104 yards on 8 carries and 2 TD's. Gordon is developing into quite an athletic weapon. Gordon is a sophomore QB who is getting action at RB, likely because he is too good to merely sit behing starting QB Craig. Gordon leads the team in rushing on only 42 carries for 248 yards, balancing well with Jordan Harris (24/225) and Xaviah Bason (52/226). Maddux Reid (94 yds/2 TD's) and the physically impressive 6'2"/240lb Isaih Bullock (58yds/3 TD's) also continue to contribute.
Merrimack controlled the ball for much of the game, gaining over 300 yards. Its conservative game plan prevented turnovers but also big plays on offense.
Rejuvenated Princeton in NJ will be the Crimson's first real challenge, followed by Dartmouth in Cambridge the following weekend. After a game at inconsistent Columbia, the Crimson finish at home vs Penn and then @ Yale. Despite the quick 5-0 start and 224-54 PF/PA, the season starts Saturday.
I expect at least 4 of these 5 remaining games to be extremely competitive. With postseason on the line for the first time in decades, these games should be very entertaining (and stressful). I note that Harvard's depth this season and the ability to rest Craig for entire halves in 3 of the 5 games means the Crimson skill payers are healthier than usual for this point in the season. On the other hand, while 3 different rushers have led the team in yards in different games, this team is totally reliant on Craig's arm. I wonder whether Gordon or backup Dante Torres would replace him - probably a combination. Torres had a long TD run wiped out by penalty late in the Merrimac game and I have yet to see Gordon throw.
My take: this is a very good Harvard team, but not a great one. I'm expecting a 8-2 or 9-1 record.
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