Harvard-Yale Game 2009 Adds to Legacy of 'The Game'

The Harvard-Yale game 2009 is mainly an excuse to relive all the past Harvard-Yale games. In fact, the Harvard-Yale game 2009 comes after the Crimson just lost their chance at an Ivy League crown. So this version of "The Game" between Harvard and Yale is a badly needed tonic for the Crimson, while the Bulldogs play out the string of another .500 season. However, no matter where these two legendary programs are, "The Game" is always the biggest event of the year, and one that can make or break a season.

The Harvard-Yale game 2009 ends a year where the Crimson were Ivy League contenders, and the Bulldogs were in the middle. Yale comes in at 4-5, trying to avoid a losing season, after two great years in 2006 and 2007. Harvard, on the other hand, comes in at 6-3 and 5-1 in the Ivy League.

Although the Harvard-Yale game 2009 has only one team in good shape, both of them were powerhouses once upon a time. That is what has made "The Game" one of the most legendary rivalries in college football history. Even though this rivalry is in the Football Sub Division, it is as well known as Ohio State-Michigan, and Stanford-Cal.

Most recently, the rivalry got new attention last year, on the 40'th anniversary of one of their legendary clashes. 1968 was the year where "Harvard Beats Yale 29-29" after the Crimson scored 16 points in the final minute for a tie.

Both teams had perfect records, and were playing in the middle of massive social turmoil in Harvard. The match was detailed in a hit documentary last year, and in a brand new book this year.

For this Harvard-Yale game, the 2009 versions are not perfect - although Harvard did ruin Yale's perfect season in their last visit there in 2007. However, the Crimson had designs on being perfect in the Ivy League, and winning another conference title. But the Penn Quakers shattered those hopes last week, beating Harvard on a goal-line stand to win the Ivy crown.

All Harvard can do is share the title, if they beat Yale and if Penn is upset by Cornell. Even if that doesn't happen, the Crimson will gain some consolation in beating their arch-nemesis on their home field.

The 126'th version of The Game is in the Yale Bowl this year, with kickoff at noon.

Sources

The Harvard Crimson- "Not Just a Game"

The Register Citizen Sports- "THE GAME: Yale seniors hoping to go out on a high note"

Boston Phoenix- "Revisiting the greatest Harvard-Yale game"