Barring a last-minute change, the official Ivy League preseason football poll will be released at 10 a.m (or so) today. When it comes out keep in mind that it hasn't always been anywhere near as accurate as it was heading into the 2019 season, when the poll looked like this:
2019 Poll
1. Yale (9 first place votes), 119 points
2. Dartmouth (2), 111 points
3. Princeton (4,) 107 points
4. Harvard (1), 93 points
5. Penn, 67 points
6. Columbia (1), 61 points
7. Cornell, 29 points
8. Brown, 24 points
2019 Final standings
1. Yale 6-1
1. Dartmouth 6-1
3. Princeton 5-3
4. Penn 3-4
4. Cornell 3-4
6. Harvard 2-5
6. Columbia 2-5
8. Brown 1-6
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Traditionally BGA Premium has kicked off 10 days prior to the start of Dartmouth's preseason practice, with opponent previews leading directly into camp coverage.
Given that practice is slated to begin Aug. 22, the first preview – and the first of what is expected to be 103 consecutive days with at least one full-length story on the site – would normally be posted Thursday night. But because the Ivy League football media day isn't until Monday, Aug. 16, and because information on the teams after a year away is still pretty sketchy, I'm going to hold off one more day. Better to know which "Super Seniors" are coming back than to miss them.
That being the case, the BGA Premium preview schedule will look like this:
Aug. 13 – Valparaiso
Aug. 14 – Sacred Heart
Aug. 15 – New Hampshire
Aug. 16 – Brown
Aug. 17 – Columbia
Aug. 18 – Cornell
Aug. 19 – Harvard
Aug. 20 – Penn
Aug. 21 – Princeton
Aug. 22 – Yale . . . along with the first practice report!
Those who have already signed up for the 2021 season are all set for the new subscription cycle and will have uninterrupted access to the site. Those who have not renewed or signed up should visit BGA Premium to continue to read the site after Thursday.
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Dartmouth coach Buddy Teevens was a guest of Peyton Manning at the quarterback's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio last night. Here are a few shots:
With COVID-19 cases on the rise, both Dartmouth College and the University of New Hampshire are implementing new mask requirements.
Dartmouth now requires masks be worn indoors in nearly all circumstances. Exceptions include private, non-shared spaces, such as a dorm room or office.
Dartmouth is requiring students and staff to get vaccinated. State law prohibits UNH from requiring vaccines. Unvaccinated students will be tested more frequently than vaccinated staff and students.
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EXTRA POINT
It was a very special Sunday in the BGA Family.
First, we wrapped up our Christmas in August celebration with Mrs. BGA's sisters and their kids.
Next we headed several towns south where my old editor – and very good friend – from the newspaper was hosting one of those "ends-in-0" birthday parties for his significant other. He's retired and living in Florida so it was a very special chance to visit.
And last but not least, Aug. 8 also marked our wedding anniversary.
