Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1912-11-22
By j. W. Heisnan.

Southern slate for tomorrow
is the one between Auburn
and the Commodore.
This game will not only decide
the championship Of the South. but
probably also it will settle which
team shall rank second, for it is
likely that Auburn viii defeat
Georgia on Thanksgiving day, and
more likely still that Vanderbilt
will do the same thing for Sc
vance.
\ comparison Of the weights of
the two teams shows a slight edge
in favor Of Vanderbilt Team eX-
perience indicates a stand-off,
though perhaps Auburn has shade
the better OF the figures here. Speed
in the back field must go to Van
derbilt's side of the ledger The
prestige OF past performances, both
this year and in previous years, is
clearly with the Commodores, while
the matter of physical condition
points toward Auburn. The play
A consideration Of the foregoing
facts does not clearly point out a
winner; so we must go further.
Vanderbilts running game is con
siderably ahead Of Auburns but
the Commodores are almost as far
behind the Alabamians when II
comes to the bucking game. 1t
seems certain to my mind that the
Vanderbilt backs are going to
make substantial gains around Au-
burns ends. for they did 1t even
against Harvard.
Is it equally certain that Auburn
is going 20 make Roadway through
Vanderbilts line?
No, not equally certain-despite
the tremendous driving power OF
the Auburn back field.
Why not?
Because Vanderbilt's line is
heavy enough and it's charging and
tackling good enough very nearly
20 match it, Excellent as is Au-
burns drive and power, 1t must
not be lost sight Of that they only
scored once on Mississippi A. & NJ,
and that was by long end run by
Newell Against l.. $ L. they Jared
no better. making only one touch
down. and that not by buckiug, but
because the left end carried the
bail for a rather long run.
Was Oonahue Possuming?
The question arises, therefore,
may not Donahue be holding his
light under a bushe)? Might they
not have scored more had they
chosen so 70 do? Yes; that is quite
possible, for Donahue has been
playing the patient, waiting game
the whole season in anticipation of
this game. Auburn is not likely
to show many new and effective
plans; but it is fairly possible that
they could have scores more points
with the plays they used had they
seen fl TO do so.
When II comes to punting, Au-
burn with Majors To propel the
pigskin. has all the better of It over
Vanderbilt; while tile latter is un-
douDte.dy Aubun's superior when
il comes 10 forward passing II
must not be overlooked. however.
that Vanderbilt is considerably bet
ter fortified than auburn Ina the
matter of goal kicking from the
field; and such play in such a
game is likely to be the deciding
factor. az it has been in many an
other game this season.
Here's Vandy's Edge.
The departments Of play thus far
considered show, | should say,
very slight margin In favor Of the
Commodores; but hardly enough on
which TO base a sure prognostica-
ton in their favor. Now however,
we come TO the last item needing
considers ton, and here the dispar-
fly between the teans has been de-
cidedly marked-so much So that
am inclined TO think that tAc rsult
Of the game VIII turn upon this
very point I refer to the taokling
VIII not mince .4atters IN Au-
burn game IN Atlanta the play
ors tackled Wrvtcholly, and my UNI
aerstauaing is That they have been
WesA n taN- respect 'hg whole sea-