The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-11-15
MICHIGAN'S STATUS
Is the Wolverine Eleven of 1902
Stronger Than Former Western
Championship Teams?
Yost's Aggregation Has Never Been
Equalled in the Size of Its
Scores.

status or the MlcnlSan eleFen Oh A9V6.
begin with, the wolverines of 1901 scored
$50 points in the season, and shut out
their opponents. Each half Of that propo-
stion is a sensation in itself. This year.
although scored on by Case school, Mich
igan has made SGT points, just a shade
less than In the whole season of 1901. The
wolverines are conceded a score OF fair
proportions on Chicago, and Yost says
they expect to run up 100 or more on
Oberlin So they may reasonably be ex-
pected to have to their credit when they
meet Minnesota 100 more points than
they made during last season, or some
thing like $50.
All this rapid fire scoring work aroused
great discussion last year as to whether
the Michigan team a phenomenal one;
whether 1t could beat Wisconsin, for in
stance. and whether it was stronger than
championship elevens of former years.
This year. with game arranged be-
tween Michigan and Wisconsin, it was
believed that the question would be set
tied. But Wisconsin fizZled. The team
which was touted the equal Of the
great 1900 eleven turned out consider
ably weaker than that, to say the least
And still the question, is Michigan ma
terially stronger than the best western
teams Of the last three years remains
unanswered.
Comparative Scores Unreliable.
High scores do not necessarily mean a
good fighting team, team which can
play an uphill game. and extend itself
to the limit upon occasion. Comparative
scores are the least reliable means of
Judging teams strength. For instance,
Minnesota was defeated Ga in 1895 by
Grinnell. Wisconsin beat Grinnell 54-6.
Then Minnesota beat Wisconsin 14-1O.
And again. Minnesota scored 81 on Grin
nell in 1900 Wisconsin made 46 points
team a at
the next week Minnesota beat Wisconsin
6-5.
And again, in 1899, Chicago tied Penn
sylvania 5-5. Michigan was defeated by
Pennsylvania. lilo, practically a tie
game. Wisconsin beat Michigan 17-6.
Then Wisconsin and Chicago were match
ed for post-season game. On COMPARE
tive scores, it was open and shut for
Wisconsin, but Chicago won, ITO.
Mlchigan's Great offense.
The fact Of Michigan's high scores,
therefore, does not in itself alone estab-
lish her as a phenomenal team. Her Of
fensive strength is admittedly great, due
to exceptional team work, and great speed
in getting off plays. But that the wolver-
ines attack would be greater against a
first-class team than that of the Chicago
eleven Of 1899, the Minnesota team Of two
years ago, or the Wisconsin aggregation of
last season, is another problem.
Michigan has two great halfbacks yet
most experts last year ranked Larson Of
Wisconsin above Heston, and Cochems
above Herrnstein. Indeed, her back field
as whole is not SO strong as Chicago's in
1899. Her line is certainly no BETTER per-
haps not so good, Minnesotas in 1900
and her back field very little better against
a stiff line than the quartet which helped
win the championship for the gophers.
Conway Mcmillan, the Nestor Of vest
ern football, does not class Michigan as
a great team. THE claim that the VOL
vertnes have phenomenal aggregation is
effectually punctured,' he said In Chicago
the night after the Wisconsin Michigan
contest. Others have expressed the same
opinion, while quite as many have in
clined to the belief that Yost has devel-
oped the greatest eleven that ever stepped
on western gridiron. Comparisons are
difficult between two teams of different
years, because a football eleven's strength
is always comparative. In this it differs
from baseball A fast shortstop can be
recognized in any company, but a half
backs reputation depends upon any num-
Der Of things besides his own efforts The
strength Of the opposing team; the sup
port given him by his team mates: all
these matters affect the appearance of his
work,
Success Stimulates Strength.
So with a football team as whole. II
It is successful, it looks strong; If it is
defeated. plenty of defects can be found
in its play. Thus it Is hard to compare
two championship teams.
One thing can be set down, however
The general standard Of football in the
west this year is higher than it has beer
for some time. Wisconsin is not so gooc
as year ago; Minnesota no better if az
good. But Chicago and Illinois arr
stronger than for some years, and the
general average Of these four teams anG
Michigan Is better than that of any quin.
tet Of elevens seen in the west in any one
year since 1896. If Michigan defeats botl
Chicago and Minnesota by decisive scores
therefore, no western eleven past or pres
ent. can be ranked above her; few, If any
on the same plane.
Professional League Pipe.
The professional football league pine ha,
gone out again. This dream Is coniurec
up ever year. about the last Of July or tn,
first of August. and 1t Is as regularly for
gotten by the middle Of September. II
certain sections Of the country profes
sional football was made to pay-Penn
sylvania has several pro- elevens-bu
for the country at large it never will at
tract the interest which attaches to tn
college sport, and q professional league IL
the big cities would be a rank failure.
Cause OF Footballs Popularity.
Football is far and away the brainies
physical game of those INDUCED In by col
leges, writes George Woodruff, an oil,
Pennsylvania coach. It Is game which
gives unlimited scope to the inventiv
genius Of coach, captain, and players be
fore the contest begins. When once tn
fight is on, the opportunity for headwor]
is increased rather than diminished. Tn
n attack and defense Is planned and pre-
pared with care before the struggle. The
must be varied during its progress to NEE
unexpected conditions.
But some readers will say that footba,
Is a. slow game, and although it does at
tract more spectators than lacrosse O
cricket, or baseball, there seems to be n
good reason for such disproportionate in
terest. q hear 1t argued that lacrosse O
even association football, with their con
tinuous activity, ought to be more inter
esting than Rugby football, in which pla
never continues more than few second
at a time, and in which the delays ar
frequent and protracted. have bee
asked to explain why people feel this ap
parently unreasonable interest.
The explanation lies in the slownes!
which would seem, at first thought. to b
cause for disgust. If, however. gam
Of lacrosse were stopped every few sec
y onds such cessation would not increase it
interest. Quite the reverse. In footba
the stops are taken in order that the mex
ls play may be chosen and indicated to tn
team by that player who is acting as CAP
. tain. The spectator may and usually doe