FCS-CFB Game Preview: Cornell Big Red (0-3) vs. Harvard Crimson (3-0)

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Harvard Stadium – Cambridge, Massachusetts
Kickoff: 7:00 PM ET | TV: ESPNU / ESPN+

Weather Forecast (Cambridge, MA)

Conditions: Clear skies, crisp fall evening

Kickoff Temp: 61°F, dipping into the mid-50s by the 4th quarter

Wind: 5–7 mph

Precipitation: 0% chance

Impact: Ideal football weather; no weather-related concerns

Injury Report

Cornell: No major injuries reported

Harvard: No major injuries reported

Key Player Matchups

QB Jameson Wang (Cornell) vs. Harvard Secondary

Wang: Dual-threat QB, but has struggled with turnovers.

Harvard Pass Defense: Allowing just 161 YPG (#11 FCS)

RB Damon Barnes (Cornell) vs. Harvard Front Seven

Barnes: Emerging as Cornell’s lead rusher.

Harvard Run Defense: 70.7 YPG allowed, 0 rushing TDs allowed all season (#2 FCS)

QB Jaden Craig (Harvard) vs. Cornell Secondary

Craig: 599 yards, 6 TD, 1 INT; efficient and explosive

Cornell Pass Defense: Strong statistically (153 YPG allowed, #7 FCS), but vulnerable late in games

RB Xaviah Bascon (Harvard) vs. Cornell Linebackers

Bascon: 5 TDs in 3 games, averaging 6.1 YPC.

Cornell Run Defense: Allowing 163 YPG (#64 FCS)

Recent Team Form

Cornell (0-3, 0-1 Ivy)

Last game: Lost 41-21 to Colgate.

Offense: 372.7 YPG (#48 FCS), 18.3 PPG (#102).

Defense: 316.3 YPG allowed (#18), but giving up 31.7 PPG (#83).

Harvard (3-0, 1-0 Ivy)

Last game: Beat Holy Cross 59-24.

Offense: 493.3 YPG (#7 FCS), 53.0 PPG (#2 FCS).

Defense: 231.7 YPG allowed (#2 FCS), 12.7 PPG allowed (#3 FCS).

Series History

All-Time Record: Harvard leads 52–34–2

Current Streak: Harvard has won 5 straight (2019–2024).

Last Meeting: 2024 – Harvard 38, Cornell 20 (in Ithaca).

At Cambridge: Harvard leads 30–17.

Cornell’s Last Win: 2018 (28-24 in Ithaca).

Cornell’s Last Win at Harvard Stadium: 2000 (29-28).

Betting Trends

Cornell:

0-3 ATS this season.

2 of 3 games Over.

Harvard:

3-0 ATS this season.

2 of 3 games Over.

Head-to-Head:

Harvard 5-0 SU, 4-1 ATS last 5 vs. Cornell.

3 of last 5 meetings went Over.

Historical Betting Results

2024: Harvard -14, covered (38-20, Over).

2023: Harvard -10, covered (41-23, Over).

2022: Harvard -7, covered (35-28, Over).

2021: Harvard -14, covered (24-10, Under).

2019: Harvard -9, covered (35-22, Over).

Projected Score: Harvard 38, Cornell 14

Game Odds

Cornell Big Red                 51.5

Harvard Crimson              – 18

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Thursday, October 9, 2025

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