Forget what you thought about early October college football, because #20 Harvard welcoming #22 Colgate isn’t just another game, it’s a ranked battle that’s gonna shape the whole East coast narrative for the rest of the fall. A month ago, nobody would have seen this coming, but here we are with two ranked teams ready to clash.
Colgate’s Surprise Surge: From 5-7 to 4-1
Honestly, who had Colgate sitting at 4-1 this early? After a 5-7 season last year, the Raiders have practically matched their entire 2025 win total already. They’re making real noise in the Patriot League, a race everyone thought was Lehigh’s to lose. But with a stifling defense holding opponents to just 13 points per game and a suffocating rushing attack, Colgate is proving they’re not going anywhere. It looks like a two-horse race now, and if they can somehow get past unbeaten Harvard on Saturday night, the conversation around the Patriot League gets super interesting.
Shaban vs. Line: The Ultimate Showdown
A huge reason for Colgate’s 4-1 start? Junior running back Danny Shaban. This dude is the catalyst for their entire offense, currently sitting eighth in the FCS with 529 total yards! We’re talking about a workhorse back who dropped a 200-yard performance in the opener against Fordham and logged 29 touches last week in the win against Cornell. Shaban averages 5.5 yards per touch, and he’s one of the toughest backs in the country to bring down, always bouncing off tacklers. This is exactly where Harvard’s star linebacker Sean Line comes into play. Line wraps up with the best of ’em, with 3.5 tackles for loss this season and 8.5 in his career. Shaban might find those yards a lot tougher to come by this weekend. This is gonna be a clash of titans, strength meeting strength!
Harvard’s Offense Needs an Identity, ASAP
But for Harvard to pull off this win, they’re gonna need a lot more than just a huge day from Line. Their offense has been, well, lackluster over the first two games. A big chunk of that is because they’re trying to figure out a whole new identity with longtime quarterback Jaden Craig gone. Sophomore Charlie Smith has been taking the snaps, and the growing pains have been super obvious. Smith has tossed an interception in each of his appearances, and that kind of turnover won’t cut it against a hungry, ranked Colgate squad.
This ranked matchup on Saturday night isn’t just a game, it’s a statement for both teams. For Colgate, it’s a chance to solidify their surprising run and prove they’re legit contenders. For Harvard, it’s about holding serve at home and showing their offense can actually deliver when the stakes are high. Get ready for a wild one!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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