The Harvard Crimson take on the Columbia Lions on Friday, Nov. 7. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Harvard is favored by 28.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -50000. Columbia, meanwhile, enters as a +28.5 underdog and is +3500 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 47.5 points.
Here’s my Harvard vs. Columbia predictions and college football picks for Friday, November 7.
Harvard vs. Columbia Prediction
- Harvard vs. Columbia Pick: Harvard -28.5 (Wait for -27.5)
My Columbia vs. Harvard best bet is on the Crimson to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Harvard vs Columbia Odds
| Harvard Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-28.5 -120 | 47.5 -113o / -113u | -50000 |
| Columbia Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+28.5 -106 | 47.5 -113o / -113u | +3500 |
- Harvard vs Columbia Spread: Harvard -28.5, Columbia +28.5
- Harvard vs Columbia Over/Under: 47.5 Points
- Harvard vs Columbia Moneyline: Harvard -50000, Columbia +3500
Harvard vs Columbia College Football Betting Preview
Harvard Crimson Betting Preview: Solid on Both Sides
Harvard has been the cream of the crop in the Ivy League this season, having blown through its conference slate with relative ease. Now, the Crimson are ranked ninth in the latest FCS Playoff rankings.
The Crimson's most recent contest saw them defeat Dartmouth by three touchdowns, outgaining the Big Green by 171 total yards.
Quarterback Jaden Craig continues to impress, throwing four touchdown passes last week. He now has 16 this season to help complement an efficient ground attack.
This offense is very difficult to stop, and every opponent so far has been unsuccessful.
Defensively, Harvard has controlled games this season with its ability to stop the run. Opponents are averaging 2.9 yards per carry and 89 rushing yards per game this season.
One opponent — Holy Cross — has scored more than 14 on this defense, which has allowed only 10 touchdowns all season. This defense will keep the Crimson in playoff games and allow Harvard to make some noise in the playoffs.
Columbia Lions Betting Preview: Far Weaker Team
Columbia has struggled through a 1-6 season where the offense has struggled to replace departed talent, and a quarterback carousel has prohibited the Lions from getting into any rhythm.
The Lions have scored 12 points per game and struggle to connect on big plays. The ground attack has been sporadic, and the offensive line has struggled in pass protection.
The Lions will be up against it here, squaring off against a stout Harvard defensive front.
Defensively, Columbia has made strides this season after allowing 38 points to Lafayette in its opener. The stronger teams the Lions have faced have been able to overwhelm them.
Turnovers, special teams miscues and poor red-zone defense have caused the numbers to look worse than they should.
This defense has been solid against the run this year, but due to the weak offensive output, it has been put in bad situations time and again while struggling with pass coverage.
Harvard vs Columbia Pick, Betting Analysis
The line on this game opened Harvard -25 and was quickly bet up, although it wasn’t widely available. Even a few wagers can cause a significant reaction. The line now sits at -28.5, and I'm waiting for more liquidity in the market before I make a play.
If we see Harvard -27.5 or better, I will fire away.
Harvard has an offense that Ivy League opponents can't stop. Craig is electric with the football, and the receivers have started to make plays in recent weeks.
I'm still waiting on the ground game to come full circle, as Xaviah Bascon and DJ Gordon are shifty and can score from anywhere on the field.
Harvard’s offensive line is elite and has allowed only six sacks and 22 tackles for loss this season.
I would expect very little pressure when Craig drops back to pass, as the Lions' defensive front isn't good at getting to the quarterback. Columbia has just six sacks this season, and PFF grades this pass rush at 101st in FCS.
The Columbia linebackers often get caught frozen in between run and pass coverage, and the indecisiveness has led to the secondary being shredded over the last four weeks.
While the passing yards allowed will never be eye-popping in the Ivy League, Columbia has allowed completions on 72% of attempts over the last four weeks with eight touchdown passes.
This Harvard defense grades out fifth in FCS in overall defense, per PFF, and second in the country in tackling prowess. The Crimson are disciplined, don't give up big plays and don't allow opponents to move the ball effectively on the ground.
Columbia doesn't have a strong passing game and has rotated between Chase Goodwin, Caleb Sanchez and Xander Menapace under center. These three have six combined touchdown passes while completing just 51% of their passes on the season.
Don’t expect much for Columbia through the air in this game.
There will be a major special teams mismatch in this game. Columbia has horrific special teams, as long returns, blocked kicks and miscellaneous gaffes have been a recurring theme this season.
Harvard has elite special teams, so I expect big punt returns, a blocked kick or some other form of special teams magic to help set the Crimson up with solid field position.
This is a matchup between the best team in the Ivy League against the worst team in the Ivy League.
This Harvard team is very strong, plays exceptionally sound and complementary football, and is well disciplined. I have no issue laying the number here; I just want to wait for a potentially better number before locking in a play.
Pick: Harvard -28.5 (Wait for -27.5)
Harvard vs Columbia Betting Trends
