The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-06

believe last years team had little ad-
vantage over this seasons eleven.
Admitting Wisconsin's strength, ]
think Illinois will put up as hard a game
against us as Wisconsin did against
Michigan last Saturday. Last year ILL.,
nois was little behind the big three
(Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota). In
strength. This year they seem to have a
better eleven than they did year ago.
and in that case they can be little inferior
to the best western teams of a year ago.
Saturdays game should be one OF the best
of the year in the west"
Work Behind Closed Gates.
Minnesota is working behind closed
gates still and the students and other
rooters are obliged to take 1t for, granted
that their idols are getting into shape to
deliver the goods Saturday. A rumor was
adoat yesterday afternoon that Boeck-
mann would be played at end Saturday.
This occasioned some uneasiness among
among the rooters. who are nearly
unanimous in the opinion that Gray is the
safest man for the position in question,
and who also feel that the gophers can
afford to take. no chances against the
Illini.
Another rumor circulated yesterday and
to-day caused some worry. A man who
claimed to have private information from
ing to Minneapolis with the intention of
whipping the gophers out of their boots,
and that If stories from Huff's camp were
true, the suckers had the men to do the
trick. While football men attach little
credence o croies Of this character, it is
recognized that Minnesota's eleven is by
no means invincble, and that the Il.ini
have have one OF the strongest teams In
the west. These two points in themselves
furnish sufficient ground for anxiety, in
regard to the outcome Of the game.
Van Tried at Tackle.
In yesterdays practice on Northrop field
Van Valkenburg was tried at tackle. but
whether with the intention of playing him
In Saturdays game, or simply with the
idea of having capable substitute for
Schacht or Warren, could not be learned.
Van has the weight and strength to make
a star tackle, and If he does not shirk the
less spectacular work, Is capable Of play
ing a sensational game.
The impression prevails among football
men here that Stahl is the great strength
of the Illinois team. If that proves to be
the case, it. is not improbable that Mime
sofa will try to keep the big tackle so
busy stopping plays over his own point tn
the line, that he will have little chance to
do any grandstand work. $780,.
Little betting on the game has taken
place. NO 1lllIlOS money IS Ill SlSlC, al
though if Minnesota men offer long odds,
there is no doubt that plenty of specula-
tors will be willing to take the short end.
1t is not probable. however. that the
gopher adherents will be foolish enough to
bet any more than even money. -.
ILLINOIS IS CONFIDENT -.
Urbana, ILL.,, Nov. 6.--The Illini will leave
to-day for Minneapolis to line up against the
gophers Saturday. Practice last evening was
last and consisted of running through signals
only. The work Of Wiley and hasten, the new
line men, showed that they work we'll with
the rest of the team.
Parker, at quarter a little slow, but was
steady and will doubtless improve Saturday.
Rothgeb, who thought to be out of the
Pitts and Rounds will also be In shape to line
up, and the. Illini back field is practically in
tact.
In the game, Stahl and Bronson will do the
punting and Illinois is expecting to punts
often. The, Ilini ends will be fast, in spite of
the fact that Rothgeb's ankle is still bad. The
outcome of the contest looks favorable to ILL
uois, and the students and coaches are optimistic.
Last year, Illinois field, the Minnesota
people scored sixteen points and won the game,
aud Illinois will not allow a second defeat. The
most pesslnlstic roOter on the campus cannot
figure out how Illini could lose by more than
touchdown, but everybody looks to victory.
The lineup will be: Cook. left end; Stah1
left tackle: Fairweather. left guard Wilson
Rothgeb. right end; Parker, quarterback; Pitts
right halfback; Diener, left halfback; Bronson
fullback.
AS substitutes In the line, Bundy, Stone
Beers and Fairweather will be taken, and IL
the back field, Huntoon, Mcknight and Rounds