For a sports enthusiast of a particular era, the name "Columbia Lions" often emerges when the question of "Who is the worst in college football?" is posed. In the 1980s, Columbia endured a notorious 44-game losing streak that captured national attention. Fans' jubilation was palpable when the Lions finally achieved a single victory, with goal posts being torn down in celebration. Clearly, Columbia stands in stark contrast to the likes of Alabama, Michigan, Notre Dame, and USC in the realm of college football greats.

Columbia's Journey to Ivy League Glory

Columbia's Past Struggles

During the late 1920s and into the mid-20th century, there were rare periods of winning for the Columbia Lions. However, from the 1970s onward, their fortunes took a turn for the worse. Since 1974, they have had six winning seasons out of a total of 42 seasons. In one season, they had an equal number of wins and losses. This consistent pattern of being bad over and over again has been a defining characteristic of the Columbia Lions. Just a decade ago, a Columbia versus Cornell matchup was dubbed "The Worst College Football Game In The Worst College Football Town." In 2014, an 0-8 Columbia faced an 0-8 Cornell team and lost, continuing their losing streak.

The Present Turnaround

This year, the Columbia Lions have undergone a remarkable transformation. Instead of being in the bottom ten in points allowed, they are now in the top ten. The offense has also seen significant improvement. Instead of ranking dead last in rushing yards per game, they are in the top half of the college football championship subdivision. And in passer efficiency, which takes into account various factors, they are also in the top half. All these changes are led by a rookie head coach, Jon Poppe, who wasn't even alive during the Lions' 44-game losing streak in the 1980s.

The Path to Glory

All that stands between Columbia and their first league title in over six decades and only their second ever is a victory over the Cornell Big Red at home in Manhattan on Saturday and for the Harvard Crimson to lose to the Yale Bulldogs in Massachusetts. If both these events occur, Columbia will tie Harvard for a share of the Ivy League title. It's a scenario that seems almost like a relic from yesteryear, given the elaborate playoff systems in modern college football. But for Columbia fans, this is a moment of great significance. My father, a die-hard Lions fan who didn't attend the school, used to talk about the team's 1934 Rose Bowl victory constantly. His love for the Lions was passed down to me, and even though he is no longer with us, my love for the team remains. I'll be in northern Manhattan on Saturday, cheering on the Lions at a stadium just five miles from the university's campus, hoping that they can make history and win their first title since 1961.