The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-05
Gossip Of The Gridiron
BY c. W. GREER

S0ME days ago an Age-Herald
sporting scribe was dispatched to
~ the stronghold of Coach Graves
Crimson warriors. The visit was
made to get a line upon the prob
able eleven which would represent the
State university on the gridiron this
season. The scribe. found something in
the appearance of the Alabama candi-
dates which hurt his eyes. The Grim
son team appeared woefully weak.
The material at Graves disposal was
light, raw and inexperienced This
opinion was offered to The Age
Herald's readers the day following. At
the same time it was mentioned that 1t
would be unfair to Judge the strength
OF the Crimson by their appearance
against Howard. 1t was explicitly
stated that Coach Graves did not ex-
tend his men to pile up large count
against the Baptists.
However, scarcely was the humble
iopnion offered when young ami en-
thusastic scribe of local contempo-
rary proceeded to take violent issue
with the writer. He asked local en-
thusiasts to wait; he predicted. that
Alabama would be just as strong as
last season; and to prove his asser-
tion he hoisted above his page an i'm
posing picture of the Crimson squad
and advised the fans to clamp them
over and behold their huskiness.
The picture looked good.
1t is probable that photo of the =
lowly Browns would rival that of Con-
ME MaelS's champions.
But pictures don't make athletic
I teams. and we would like to venture
the opinion that the aforementioned
scribe will think long and often before
he lays his. long green on the chances
of Alabama in the coming conflicts.
Perhaps the, enthusiast is giving ont
the correct dope. after all.
We hope so
Z But we don't think he is.
II early dope counts for anything
southern football fans are des-
tined TO witness some of the great
est gridiron exhibitions that have been
staged in Dixie In many years this
season. Practically every southern
eleven with the exception of Alabama,
and possibly Auburn and Vanderbilt,
appear to be materially stronger than
Iests season. Despite the loss of vet
Grams. however, Auburn and Wander
bilt will be worthy rivals for first
honors. Georgia, Georgia Tech, Ten
nessee and Sewanee are undoubtedly
stronger than last season. As whole,
heavier and more experienced elevens
will be seem and indications point to !
merry battle for the s. l. A. A. title.
Tennessee especially will Bear watch
ing. The Orange and White barring
accidents, will have one of the heaviest
teams in the south. From tackle to
4 tackle the Tennessee aggregation at
present tips the beam for an average
of 1S6 pounds. Many of the men are
veterans and with proper training
should be whipped into a formidable
machine Harris, a former University
of Chicago star, has been called to
Knoxville to aid Coach Clevenger, and
the pair promises to throw a surprise
into the camps of Tennessee opponents
this fall
"Watch Georgia" is the motto which
Is on the tongue of every football adj
herent of the Cracker state. From the
present outlook the Red and Black will
bear plenty of watching. With an even
10 of last years veterans on hand,
and with Bob McWhorter in excellent
trim, and with three years experience
behind him, Coach Cunningham has
about the best prospects of any coach
In the south, McGugin scarcely ex-
cepted. McWhorter, Conlxlifr Hender-
son and others on the Georgia lineup