Ranked by the coaches for the past two weeks, the Big Green debut at No. 24 in the STATS poll.
By: Rick Bender
HANOVER, N.H. — Two weeks after debuting in the AFCA Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) Coaches' Poll, the undefeated Dartmouth football team was listed among the top 25 in the STATS FCS poll, showing up ranked 24th. The Big Green maintained its place at No. 20 — tied with Nicholls — in the coaches' poll.
This is the first time that Dartmouth (7-0, 4-0 Ivy) has appeared in the STATS poll since ending the 2015 season ranked 23rd after earning a share of the Ivy League crown.
Something will have to give this week, however, as the Big Green travel to Princeton (7-0, 4-0 Ivy) in a battle of undefeated teams with the victory gaining the inside track on the conference championship. The Tigers will have the edge on offense, leading the FCS with 50.7 points per game, though Dartmouth is no slouch at 35.3, which ranks 16th in the nation and second in the Ancient Eight.
The two teams are about as evenly matched as possible on defense as both teams are among the top four in fewest points allowed (Princeton 9.1, Dartmouth 10.7) and yards allowed (Princeton 269.0, Dartmouth 270.1). The Big Green have been very opportunistic, leading the FCS in turnover margin (plus-2.14 per game), but the Tigers are not far behind, ranked third at plus-1.71.
Kickoff for the game is slated for 1 p.m. with NBC Sports Boston and NBC Sports Philadelphia-plus televising the contest. ESPN will simulcast the broadcast on its subscription platform, ESPN+, and Dartmouth fans can listen to the game locally in the Upper Valley on 94 ESPN Radio (94.3 FM and 94.5 FM) and around the globe online at 945espn.com with Brett Franklin and Wayne Young '72 calling the action.