The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-11-27

Minnesota is the champion of the
west in football this season.
That is the opinion of the men who
have followed the game closely this
season and who are accustomed to
Interpreting football scores. There
are only two games which gave an in
dication of the respective strength Of
Minnesota and Michigan, outside Of
the tie game between the two 1nst1tu-
lions. Those are the Michigan-Wis-
consin and the Michigan
battles.
Minnesota, playing wisconsin on the
latter's grounds, defeated her by a
score of II to 0, just one point more
than was made by Michigan. But
straight football, carrying the ball
fifty yards or more in successive
rushes for every one of her touch
downs. Michigan made one touch
down. after getting the ball under the
shadow Of WisConsin's goal posts on a
tumble. The other points were Sc
cured by the air line. 1t is an axiom
ly when secured by straight line
plunging, entities a team to more
credit than a field goal. On this
basis alone, therefore, Minnesota must
be conceded the champion.
Wisconsin Supports Minnesota.
Aside from this, however, the tes-
ttmony of Wisconsin, the only team
of consequence which has met both
claimants, is in favor of Minnesota.
Balm, right halfback of the badger
team, stated last night at Madison
that the players, almost as unit,
declared Minnesota to be the better
team of the two. On the other hand,
no authorities who have seem both
Michigan and Minnesota have ex-
pressed themselves in favor of the
former team. s...r...- --....- s-.... .s.-.r----
Michigan will undoubtedly reply
that Wisconsin was not in as GOOD
condition when she met Minnesota
as when she fought Michigan. While
1t is true that Wisconsin must have
felt the effects of her hard schedule,
it Is doubtful If this affected the re-
suit much. Minnesota unquestion-
ably would have scored at least two
touchdoWns had she met Wisconsin
when the latter was freshest. The
condition of the badgers was good
enough to inspire such men as
Cochems, the old badger halfback,
Manager Fitzpatrick, and others to
Even allowing that Minnesota's
score might have been slightly smaller
had she played Wisconsin Nov. Ia
when Michigan met Curtis men, the
showing made by the gophers is sc
much ahead Of Michigans that the
former team is clearly entitled to the
honor. s
In. total scores there is little diff.
ference between the two. Minnesota
In fourteen games Counting the
Minneapolis and ST. Paul Central
high school contests as one, since only
one half was played against each
team made total Of 657 points, al
average of ASH points game
Michigan, in twelve games, made 56s
points, an average Of 471a a game. Sc
far as can be judged, the teams
which Minnesota met were as strong
as those played by Michigan. Mime
sofa was scored on twice to Mich.
gan's once, but Minnesota was SCORED
on by a fluke run in the first game OF
the season. In total scores, therefore
Michigan has no advantage to offse
Minnesota's better score against Wis
consin.
Biggest Score Ever Made.
IT is worthy Of remark that Mime
sofas total for the season--657 points
lis thirteen more than Michigan
phenomenal record of last year. l
Is the biggest seasons total ever regis