HANOVER – Two teams living on reputation cost the Fearful Forecast dearly last week.
First, it was preseason Ivy League favorite Yale being flagged for a delay-of-game penalty that nullified the made field goal that would have forced overtime. Then it was the re-kick from five yards farther coming up up short.
Lehigh, the popular pick to win the Patriot League championship this fall, looked the part before stumbling at Cornell on Oct. 17. That should have been a clue that the Mountain Hawks were coming back to earth, which they did last week at Villanova.
Despite the two preseason favorites going down, the Forecast finished the week with a respectable 4-2 mark.
This week, Lehigh should be a lead-pipe cinch and Merrimack should be close, but after that, it’s anybody’s guess. Four of the five Ivy League teams tied with 1-2 conference records square off against each other and Monmouth faces a stiff test.
All that said, let the guessing game(s) begin:
Penn (3-3, 1-2 Ivy) at Brown (3-3, 1-2 Ivy)
Brown came from behind to win in overtime last week. Penn was almost caught from behind, narrowly avoiding OT. Go with the team that came from behind. Brown 17, Penn 14.
Brown came from behind to win in overtime last week. Penn was almost caught from behind, narrowly avoiding OT. Go with the team that came from behind. Brown 17, Penn 14.
Yale (3-3, 1-2 Ivy) at Columbia (4-2, 1-2 Ivy)
The Bulldogs’ chances for another title are on life support, but they are better than Columbia’s chances. Yale 28, Columbia 14.
The Bulldogs’ chances for another title are on life support, but they are better than Columbia’s chances. Yale 28, Columbia 14.
Cornell (3-3, 1-2 Ivy) at Princeton (4-2, 2-1 Ivy)
The Big Red has the stronger offense; the Tigers, the stronger defense. Picking Cornell doesn’t make sense, so it's little more than a hunch that the Big Red can scrape together just enough points to win. Cornell 17, Princeton 16.
The Big Red has the stronger offense; the Tigers, the stronger defense. Picking Cornell doesn’t make sense, so it's little more than a hunch that the Big Red can scrape together just enough points to win. Cornell 17, Princeton 16.
Bucknell (1-7, 0-5 Patriot) at Lehigh (6-2, 4-1 Patriot)
The only question is how much will Lehigh win by? The answer is a lot. Lehigh 38, Bucknell 14.
The only question is how much will Lehigh win by? The answer is a lot. Lehigh 38, Bucknell 14.
Wagner (1-7, 0-4 NEC) at Merrimack (3-5, Independent)
To Wagner’s credit, it gave Princeton a game. For a while. It won’t give the Warriors a game. Merrimack 28, Wagner 7.
To Wagner’s credit, it gave Princeton a game. For a while. It won’t give the Warriors a game. Merrimack 28, Wagner 7.
Bryant (5-3, 3-1 CAA) at Monmouth (6-2, 5-0 CAA)
Ten years ago, no one would have believed these teams would be in the CAA let alone battling for the league lead but there we are. A win for the Hawks helps Dartmouth's strength of schedule. Monmouth 24, Bryant 21.
Ten years ago, no one would have believed these teams would be in the CAA let alone battling for the league lead but there we are. A win for the Hawks helps Dartmouth's strength of schedule. Monmouth 24, Bryant 21.
LAST WEEK
This BGA Guy Is A Genius
Predicted: Brown 17, Cornell 10
Actual: Brown 38, Cornell 31 (ot)
Comment: Like an old-time Brown shootout.
This BGA Guy Is A Genius
Predicted: Brown 17, Cornell 10
Actual: Brown 38, Cornell 31 (ot)
Comment: Like an old-time Brown shootout.
Predicted: Harvard 24, Princeton 10
Actual: Harvard 35, Princeton 7
Comment: Crimson keeps cruising.
Actual: Harvard 35, Princeton 7
Comment: Crimson keeps cruising.
Predicted: Merrimack 24, UNH 21
Actual: Merrimack 24, UNH 17
Comment: So close to nailing it.
Actual: Merrimack 24, UNH 17
Comment: So close to nailing it.
Predicted: Monmouth 35, Hampton 13
Actual: Monmouth 24, Hampton 17
Comment: Team from the Jersey Shore sinks the Pirates.
Actual: Monmouth 24, Hampton 17
Comment: Team from the Jersey Shore sinks the Pirates.
This BGA Guy is a Dolt
Predicted: Yale 24, Penn 14
Actual: Penn 24, Yale 21
Comment: Yale has to be kicking itself.
Predicted: Yale 24, Penn 14
Actual: Penn 24, Yale 21
Comment: Yale has to be kicking itself.
Predicted: Lehigh 24, Villanova 14
Actual: Villanova 24, Lehigh 18
Comment: Has Lehigh been solved?
Actual: Villanova 24, Lehigh 18
Comment: Has Lehigh been solved?
Last Week: 4-2
Season Record: 24-5 (.828)
Season Record: 24-5 (.828)