Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-08-23
Football Season To Be q
Lively One.
How the Teams of the Several Leading Western
Colleges Will Line Up

Football enthusiasts have reason to
expect an unusually interesting sea-
son in the west this fall. Last year
brought out two of the best teams
this section of the country at least
has ever seen in Michigan and Wis
consin.
Both of these elevens will have the
majority of last years players again
in line. Minnesota, which last year
was next to the two leaders. has
prospects of bringing out better
team than ever this season.
Northwestern, Illinois, Iowa and the
other members of the big nine will
also have the most of last seasons
| players back, and all in all the sea-
son promises rare sport.
While at this early date the actual
condition under which the various
teams will start their campaigns is
largely matter of speculation, in an
indefinite way the outlook at several
centers is already being discussed.
Coach Yost, of Michigan, who in
one season sprang into such great
! prominence among the football lead
ers. of the west, Will lose eX-Capt.
| Neil Snow, the great end; last years
captain, Hugh White, the tackle, and
Wilson, the guard, by graduation,
and Bruce Shorts, the star tackle,
who was elected to the Michigan
captaincy for this season, will be
| kept out of the game by an opera
ton for appendicitis and his subse-
quent illness.
The fast working back field of last
year, however, promises to be intact
except for Snow, who was shifted to
the full back position on offense: a
number of good substitutes were de-
veloped last year, however, and usu-
ally Michigan has a wealth of new
material, so that another strong VOL
VERNE team should be evolved.
Phil King, who has been persuaded
to come back for ''just one more sea-
SON. at Wisconsin, has lost the great
center Skow and l., the wonderful
ground gaining half-bacH Larson by
graduation. Full Back Driver will be
in college, but may be kept out of the
game by other work. but still other
vacancies may appear by the middle
of September. The badgers, how
ever, had wonderful team last sea
son, both in and behind the line, and
in his final year with the team King
is certain to develop strong eleven.
The fact that Wisconsin and Auchi-
gan did not play last year to settle
the matter of supremacy will leave
the ranking of these two great teams
always in doubt, but the rivalry
thereby aroused makes the proSpec-
tive meeting between these teams,
which has been arranged for Nov. 10,
all the more interesting.
Many of the shrewdest followers of
football are expecting to see both
Minnesota and Chicago give last sea-
sons leaders considerable trouble |
this year. The Minnesota giants are
likely to improve wonderfully, and if |
Coach Williams can instilI speed into
the men they are likely to defeat the |
best.
Then as to Chicago the critics fig |
ure that ''Stagg is due" The crafty |
Midway coach may have Il poor tenn
now and then, but he has way of |
getting championships just about as
often. 1t is believed that Walter
Kennedy will again be one of Stages |
assistants this year. y lot of prom
ising freshman material is already
headed toward the Midway campus,
and a number of old-time stars may
again be seen in maroon jerseys be-
fore October is very old.
Last years team, while a weak one,
showed possibilities of development |
as the season advanced and uncover
ed several players of great promise.
Practically all of the best men on last |
years team Will be candidates Tor |
this seasons eleven, and the one |
years experience is certain to prove |
valuable. They Will be veterans this |
fail, and Stagg viii have a chance to |
teach them the fine points of the
game instead of spending all his time |
on the rudiments.
1t has been. rumored that Henry, |
the star half-back of 1899, may again
be in the harness, and Fell, the great /
tackle, is another veteran who may
return to try for the team, according
to report. The freshmen. who have
already been, announced as prepared
to enter the university this fall, in
clude many youngsters of promise.
With these recruits and one or two
old-time veterans, together with the
men who played for the maroon last
season, a strong eleven may again
gladden. the hearts of Chicago root
ers.
At Minnesota the prospects are
good. Fee has been in business this
summer and may not return to col
lege. He was one of the best tackles
in the west last year and his loss VIII
be felt Knowlton, the full-back, is
another who may not be with the
UonberS this season on account of
college work. However, it is likely
that both men will get out before the
season is far advanced, and even if
they are not in the lineup the many
of last year would give
Director Williams the nucleus of a
great eleven.