The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-09-28
SPORTING NEWS AND LIVE GOSSIP FROM EVERYWHERE

In spite of the fact that football will have sprung a bloom by saturday evening, and that by that timeH ac- cording to those fanatics who revel In imaginary dreams of gridiron horrors, 1he streets of every city will be run- ming red with gore, there has devel- oped up to this good moment very lit tle meat on which to gossip.
 No prophet is required to dope out from this early date the winners and the losers of the season. In this re gard football differs materially from its big brother, baseball. In the spring there are always four of five teams which have an opportunity to win the lpennant. But in September 1t is easily seen that Ishkooda has little chance to overcome the Willow Rats, or the Freebank Bears to pluck victory from the Highland Terrors.
 Since last season very little change in the general situation has occurred. The most drastic is the case of the .Sewanee Tigers. For a season or more the purple lads have displayed signs of decay. This season. according to the outward appearance of things, Se- vance will not be able to cope with representative football elevens in the south. It will prove no worthy op- .ponet for its great rival, Vanderbilt. The slump of the Tigers, 1t is said, is due to the fact that faculty inter- ference has caused disinclination on the part of the alumni to take a hand in affairs. A few bumps, however. will right the wrongs, and with the alumni again in charge the Tigers will surge once more to the front.
 Auburn will be as strong as last sea- son. it is probable. The only first rate man lost by Auburn this summer was Bradley Streit, and according to local understanding a wealth of new ma terial will more than counterbalance his absence Donahue is working like Trojan although, of course, he has not run the risk of injuring his men by scrub bing them at this early date, especially in view of the exceedingly hot weather Donahue is assisted this season by William Streit of Birming- ham, the former Auburn and Wash 1ngton and Lee star.
 The prospects al Alabama are bright CT than in several previous years The material, it is claimed by those who have seen it. is better than has stood on the campus of the university in 10 seasons The reports, too, are to the effect that the boys have warmed up to Coach Graves, and that the faculty is rendering him every aid and en- couragement. Enthusiasts are boasting that Alabama will soon regain the proud position she once occupied and they are expecting long string of victories before the conclusion of the season.
 In the Empire state the dope is that Georgia is stronger than ever and that Georgia Tech is weak. This dope Is incorrect. Georgia, it may happen, will be stronger than last season, though thfs is doubted. But there is not a chance in the world for Tech to be weak. Tech may fail to put out a team as strong as it generally does, but Tech will have a good team. Heisman with his skill and his megaphone, Is to be reckoned with even though he hid fail as a Southern league baseball ma agnate.
 Finally, there is no team in the as- soeiation which will hold Auburn or Vanderbilt and as Auburn and Van derbilt do not meet-chiefly because of the honest fear which the latter has of the former-there will be no champion. This is to be deplored but as Auburn made every effort to meet the Com modores, the blame must be laid at the gate of the Nashville contingent.
 Birmingham will draw several in- teresting games. Howard will have scrimmages throughout the season and some of them vii develop into inter esting spectacles. Auburn comes to Bir- mingham but once. meeting the farm CTS of Mississippi here. Birmingham would be glad to entertain Auburn eftener, but will probably continue to