The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-11-10

~ oLLEGE football elevens are
now on the eve of the big
games. Expectation and con-
fidence are at their highest
~ pitch. Regulations are at
stake, and it now remains to De
seen whether or not predictions VIII
be fulfilled. In the west the fight tor
the championship is progressing with
the same old intenseness of rivalry
that always characterizes footoall
campaigns. Present indications are
that the premiership lies between
Coach Yost's University of Michigan
kickers and Trainer Conibear's Unlver-
sity of Illinois eleven. These two
teams have been doing good work
throughout the season, and their early
defeats of Chicago university and
Northwestern university evidenced
that they will come in strong at the
finish.
Eastern experts concede the superior
ity of Yale and Princeton over Har-
ward, Columbia, Cornell and University
of Pennsylvania. Despite the imposing
collection of coaches now in Philadels
phia, the Quakers have displayed de-
cidedly inferior form, and their defeat
by Annapolis was an early indication
that they would not exert very strong
influence on the pigskin doings OF the
year. Harvard, Columbia and Cornell
appear to be suffering from pauc1ty
of good material, and the best men
they now have do not seem to do their
regulations justice.
A choice between Yale and Princeton
is a difficult proposition, and the game
at New Haven Nov. 16 will be the blue
ribbon event of the year. The Eli line
men are undoubtedly among the best
in the college world. The back field,
however, with the exception of quarter
back, is weak The halves do not make
their distance without approaching the
limit of downs, and they are none too
good on defensive play. Little Johnnie
De Saulles at quarter is in the game
for keeps" Like his famous brother
Charlie, Johnnie runs the team with
rare judgment, literally smelling out
weak spots in the enemy's defense. He
backs UP the interference in fine style
and gets into every play. But a good,
heady quarter cannot make the full
back pillow through center, nor can he
give the halves ability to dodge through
tackle or skirt the ends. The New Ha-
ven coaches should develop the back
field a bit more if they expect to down
the Jerseymen.
Princeton's team is lighter than
Yale's. Nassau Halls play, however,
is snappy, strong and well directed.
The Princetonians have rolled up big
counts against heavy opponents, and
Yale will have bushels of trouble in
cutting down their gains. Fat De
Witt, the big tackle who has also play
ed half back and guard, is the most re-
liable ground gamer on the Tiger elev-
en-. He is a splendid all around ath-
Iete, having won high intercollegiate
honors in putting the shot.
A careful summing up of the Yale
Princeton situation warrants the pre-
diction that, barring accident, the Jer-
seymen will win in the approaching
contest. There is no doubt that the
wearers of the orange and black are SUI
perior as ground gamers. Their line
is almost as strong as the one from
New Haven. Their system and style of
play is, to my mind. the most effective,
and every man jack of them has conf
dence. Captain Henry w. Pell is work
ing indefatigably to produce a team
that will redeem last years deplorable
record, and if the verdict of men who
have followed the game for years is of
any value Charley Gould's New Haven
gridiron artists will be compelled to eat
crow on their own greensward.