Harvard football today: unbeaten Crimson host Dartmouth at 3:00 p.m. ET with Ivy title stakes on the line

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Harvard football today

Undefeated Harvard puts first place—and a clear path to the Ivy crown—on the line this afternoon when Dartmouth visits Harvard Stadium. Kickoff is 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. GMT / 9:00 p.m. Cairo), with streaming on the league’s digital partner and local radio carrying the call.

The matchup at a glance

Records: Harvard 6–0 (3–0 Ivy); Dartmouth 5–1 (2–1 Ivy)
Where: Harvard Stadium, Boston
When: Saturday, Nov. 1 — 3:00 p.m. ET
Watch/Listen: League stream; local radio affiliates (pregame ~30 minutes before kickoff)

This is the Ivy’s centerpiece game of the weekend: a Harvard win keeps the Crimson perfect with two league dates left; a Dartmouth upset would blow the race open.

Why Harvard vs. Dartmouth matters

Harvard’s six-game surge has been built on defense first—stifling scoring and top-tier total defense—paired with an offense that cashes short fields and pounces on busted coverages. Dartmouth counters with one of the league’s most balanced attacks, steady time of possession, and a takeaway rate that can flip momentum without explosive plays. In a title chase where tiebreakers loom, today’s head-to-head result could decide seeding and postseason positioning.

What Harvard needs to do

Own early downs. The Crimson thrive when they create second-and-medium with split-zone and quick RPOs, keeping the full call sheet alive.
Protect the edges. Chip help for the tackles has stabilized pass pro; keeping the pocket clean lets the QB hit intermediate windows.
Finish drives. Field goals kept opponents in games early this fall; red-zone play-action to tight ends and tight-split fades are the money calls.

Players to watch (Harvard):

QB Jaden Craig — efficient operator with the arm to punish single-high looks.
RB Xaviah Bascon — contact balance and burst; sets up play-action.
Front seven + DBs — a complementary group that squeezes explosives and turns tip-drills into picks.

What Dartmouth must hit

Stay on schedule. The Big Green don’t need fireworks if they’re living in second-and-5. Duo/inside-zone plus glance routes are the blueprint.
Win the middle. Linebackers have to close crossers and rally to perimeter screens before they become chunk gains.
Create a short field or two. Hidden yards on special teams—or one timely takeaway—could be the difference.

Players to watch (Dartmouth):

QB–RB battery capable of sustaining drives and testing the flats.
Linebackers Zyion Freer-Brown & company — the spine of a unit that erases easy throws between the numbers.

Tactical chessboard

Harvard offense vs. Dartmouth defense: Expect motion to declare coverage, then a mix of glance/dig/crosser concepts. If Dartmouth holds two safeties high without getting gashed on the ground, Harvard will need patience rather than shot-hunting.
Dartmouth offense vs. Harvard defense: Ball control and tempo variation to blunt the rush. If Harvard wins first contact and forces third-and-long, the Crimson’s disguise/rotation game tilts the field.

Recent form and momentum

Harvard arrives off a two-score road win where the defense pitched a second-half clampdown and the offense hit explosives without turnovers. Dartmouth has stacked wins by limiting mistakes and wearing opponents down, entering today with a one-loss resume that still keeps title math alive.

Keys that will show up in the box score

Explosives: First team to 5+ plays of 20+ yards likely dictates game flow.
Red-zone TD rate: Threes won’t beat an unbeaten—touchdowns will.
Turnover margin: Harvard has been among the league’s best at taking it away and protecting it; flipping that script is Dartmouth’s upset lever.
Third-down distance: Anything over 3rd-and-6 favors Harvard’s rush/coverage mix.

Prediction range

Harvard’s deeper routes to points and home-field edge make the Crimson a narrow favorite. Dartmouth’s path is real—own possession, win field position, steal a takeaway—but if Harvard keeps the turnover sheet clean and hits two or three schemed explosives, the unbeaten run should continue.

Projected band: Harvard by 7–10, total in the 40s.

Quick viewer guide

Kickoff: 3:00 p.m. ET (12:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. GMT / 9:00 p.m. Cairo)
Arrive early: Senior-day-style ceremonies and a full student section are expected; gates open well before kickoff.
If you’re scoreboard-watching: Results later tonight across the league will shape November clinch scenarios—this one is the hinge.