The Ivy League playoffs era kicks off today, November 22, 2025, with the legendary Harvard-Yale “Game” deciding the conference’s first postseason entrant in decades. Picture this: 150 years of tradition colliding with fresh ambition as these academic titans vie for a spot in the FCS tournament. No more self-imposed exile—these scholar-athletes are storming the field.
Unpacking the Ivy League Playoffs Breakthrough
What makes this Ivy League playoffs moment so electric? It traces back to the league’s post-WWII ban on postseason play, a shield against college football’s growing commercialization. But students flipped the script last offseason, voting to join the FCS fray. Now, the winner of today’s clash in New Haven secures an automatic bid, while the loser hunts an at-large invite.
For a quick refresher on the FCS landscape, dive into our FCS playoffs explainer—it’ll show why this step up matters big time. (Internal link.)
Harvard rolls in undefeated and ranked 10th nationally in FCS, boasting a No. 7 scoring offense and No. 3 defense. They’ve dominated by 25+ points per game. Yale, sitting at 25th with one loss, counters with a stingy No. 6 defense and double-digit victories. The last five meetings? All decided by a touchdown or less—pure drama.
Why the Ivy League Playoffs Echo Through History
This isn’t just a game; it’s a revival. Harvard-Yale birthed modern rules in 1875 and fueled the sport’s rise—Yale leads all-time titles (beating Alabama by two), Harvard’s eighth. Kicked to FCS in the 1980s for academic focus, the Ivies now reclaim their stake via these Ivy League playoffs. Attendance at the Yale Bowl? 50,000 strong—outdrawing most MLB teams.
Don’t sleep on the culture: It sparked Simpsons gold like “Burns, Baby Burns.” For live updates, head to ESPN’s Harvard-Yale feed (outbound link for real-time edge).
Explore more in our iconic college rivalries roundup, where Harvard-Yale tops the list. (Internal link.)
Stakes, Stats, and a Nerd’s Hopeful Heart
As a Columbia backer with Dartmouth dreams (hey, divided loyalties keep it spicy), I’m all in on this Ivy League playoffs push. It proves brains and brawn mix—NIL cash or not. Harvard’s firepower vs. Yale’s grit? Could be the upset of the subdivision.
Tune in this afternoon—whoever advances, the “nerds” win. Predict the score below! For the backstory on student-driven sports shifts, read this NY Times feature on Ivy postseason reforms. (Outbound link.)
