Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-09

feeling Of satisfaction. The selection Of
good men at these positions is always a
serious matter for the foot ball coach. for
Il Is essential that the tackles be stronE.
There are not now playing any pair in the
line equal to Cuts and BlaEden, Bloomer
and sillman, or Hillebrand and Church.
The tackle men on the Yale team are said
20 be slightly better than the men in the
same places At Princeton and Harvard. The
difference is very slight. however. in the
case Of Princeton. The Jersey men are green
at the game and ELS pair are not much
more seasoned. Kinney being a freshman
and Hogan a Junior.
For two years have been curious TO see
the Michigan team play" says George W.
Woodruff in the Chicago Tribune. Il was
filled with doubts as TO whether It was
really as strong in material and in style Of
play as scores would seem to indicate. Ny
curiosity was gratihed yesterday at Marshall
field and yet ! am doubtful about the cues
tion Of Michigsn's greatness.
That the team is great goes without say
ing. That It is phenomenal against second
class elevens is equally apparent from the
scores Of the last two seasons. And yet ]
hesitate 10 admit that the Wolverines could
beat many hrst-elsss teams which ] have
seen. As example, / would note the Penn
sylvania eleven Ct 1887. the Yale team OF
1900 and the Harvard team OF 1901. My
hesitancy about the relative merits OF
Yost's men and the teams named above is
an evidence that ] consider Michigan Of
both 1901 and 1902 in the front rank Of all
foot ball teams.
In fact l believe western teams rank
well with those in the east. The best here
are evenly matched with the best there. Just
at present Michigan, Wisconsin. Chicago and
Minnesota could we'll afford TO match them
selves as a four-team combination against
the big -Four" Of the Atlantic coast-Ysle.
Harvard. Princeton and Pennsylvania. In
deed, believe that such a tournament this
season would probably bring victory to the
west"
OF the three teams which we're in the
running for the western championship.
Miehigon. Wisconsin and Chicsgo-the sec
ond Of these was cut of eight days ago at
| Chicago by Michigan. Chicago now has
both Wisconsin and Michigan TO play.
and unless some tie game or surprising re-
versal OF form occurs IT looks like a cinch
for Michigan. il seems TO be the general
opinion that while Chicago may win from
Wisconsin it will have to develop marvel
ously to pull out the contest with Michigan.
In all calculation there is a big allowance
made for the skin Of Coach Stagg OF Chi
cago. He has without doubt good material,
but it is doubtful If he can bring them up
TO q proficiency which will Offset the great
speed Of the Michigan baokheld and its
machinelike working. Supporters Of the
Maroon team believe. however. that Chi
cago, with its whoa back" and many new
trick plays in to the line. will be able TO
subject its opponents line TO a punishment
which Wisconsin did not. and which will
weaken their power OF offence. The Michi-
gan men are not likely to 60 into the game
with Chicago with any fears for the result.
The Maroons made a very poor showing
indeed in their game with Beloit college,
and. although the score was IS 10 0. it was
made by such tactics as are employed by a
high school eleven. The fumbling Of Coach
Stages men was something unusual. the
backs being apparently unable to keep the
pigskin in their hands. Once wightmau
dropped the ball as he was crossing the
goal for a touchdown. losing II to Beloit
and Beloit got four chances 10 try for field
goals through other fumbles. The team
however, displayed much speed and the sub
stitutes. Of whom a number were played
showed up well.
The Michigan team, while It showed nj
marked superiority over Wisconsin, wal
very fast and displayed excellent team
work. The defense, which had not hereto
fore been tested. showed up strong ant
consistent. The offense vas strong and a
the first OF the game the Wisconsin mel
were rushed back by line plunging. Few
trick plays were tried. Later on, in th'
second half the Badgers we're able u
make their defense hold and Michigan
showed little superiority. The Wolverine
showed a tendency to tumble the ball.
Al Crete. on November l, the contes
? for the championship Of the State Inter
! collegiate Foot Ball league was narrowe'
, down into a light between Doane and GRAM
4, Island by the defeat on that day Of Belle
4 vue by Doane college. Grand Island ha
the heaviest team in the league and Ia
made high scores against weak teams, ou
q - - 49,, sr4ad ouY nv q really sever