Should Howard Pick Harvard For Truth and Service Classic?
With Howard traveling to Hampton, the Crimson might be the Bison’s best choice
Last Thursday, Harvard released their schedule for 2022 and an October 15 visit to Howard highlights arguably Harvard’s most unique schedule in a while. The Crimson hosted the Bison in 2019 in Harvard’s first game against an HBCU and Howard’s first game against an Ivy League school.
The Bison have yet to release their schedule, but this game appears to be the biggest draw on their entire schedule. Also to be determined is who Howard’s opponent in the Truth and Service Classic will be.
Last season, the Bison played their archrival Hampton in the classic’s inaugural edition. The game drew 14,752 fans at Audi Field, the 20,000 seat home of DC United. This year, the “Battle for the Real HU” is a Hampton home game, making it unlikely for the Bison to make it the Truth and Service Classic.
Guessing who plays in the classic is difficult given the fact the Bison have yet to release their schedule, but moving the Harvard game to Audi Field is a golden opportunity. Ivy League schools playing HBCUs is a rarity, with this being only the third such matchup ever. Additionally, Harvard is still one of the biggest brands in FCS football, if not college football in general.
The Crimson have recently played a neutral site game in the Nation’s Capital. The 10,000 Men of Harvard closed out RFK Stadium in 2017 against Georgetown, defeating the Hoyas 41-2. Unfortunately, only 3256 folks came out to say goodbye to the “House that Frank Howard Built.”
Judging from the Bison’s 2021 schedule, their only MEAC home games this year are against Delaware State and South Carolina State. It would make sense for the Bison to move their game with the defending Celebration Bowl champions to Audi Field, but the Bulldogs lack the local draw. While the Delaware State Hornets are nearby, they were 113th in attendance, making it doubtful they would travel well.
It may be peculiar to see a primarily White institution play in an HBCU classic, but Harvard is the right school to break the trend. Howard frankly does not have many attractive options from their schedule this year.
Games like Howard-Harvard do not happen often and while Greene Stadium has history, it lacks the big game feel of Audi Field. Simply put, a matchup of much grandeur like this deserves special treatment.