New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-06

then the Crimson tide has not turne
three defeats, the one year ago OF
Now. then, comes the first of q
new system, new coach and new
and widespread is the interest IN a
best of the season, and which, IN an
ing on the ratings and rankings Tor
II would be sheer folly TO suggest
the probable winner The toss OF a
coin would be quite as dependable as
any lengthy analysis based on Wha'
has been seen. Harvard must improve
over the Cornell game and over the
Penn State game 10 beat Princeton, bur
knowing HaughtOn aud the Haughtoh
system this improvement can be taken
for granted.
Nv impressions up TO last Wednes-
day were all in favor Of Harvard, be
lieving that the team was structurally
strong and lacked only finish and pol
ish against Cornell, but since seeing the
Tigers in secret practice these impress
sions are not so strongly fdehned. n
truth the game looks like toss-up,
with the chances about even.
What Teams Have Done.
Both elevens have played through a
reasonably hard schedule and Of mucn
the same strength. Harvard has bee"
beaten by Cornell. really good team.
if not the best in the East, while
Princeton has a clean slate SHOWING
lust enough Al all times TO meet the
needs at hand. But no team has been
met in common and no means OF com
parison offered except in general type
of play in bits Of outstanding strength
or in marks of seeming weakness.
Even these pegs furnish little that IS
substantial on which to hang conclu-
sion. Experience has taught that early
season games are poor sign posts LOT
pointing the way. Il takes time to buhd
a football machine, and where II may
splutter and miss one week 1t Is quite
likely to run smoothly and powerfully
the next. Like the one-cy!lnder put
put" there is no telling just when anu
why il works as a unit.
Ii would take far more space than
allotted here 10 analyze closely the
work Of the two elevens up 70 this all
important struggle. but the salient
features, as they appear TO me from
such study and observation as have
been possible, may be summed up as
A,ows:
Princeton has remarkable punter
in Eddie briggs, a dependable drop
kicker, second only 10 Charley brlch-
lev, perhaps. in Dave Tibbott, and
substitute for both punting and drop
kicking in Buz Law. the value OF "noh
cannot be overestimated. Princeton has
a line from tackle TO tackle which as a
unit il a formidable bulwark aga st
the ordinary straight running ATTACK,
and q line which charges hard ana
sharply. both on the attack and on the
defence. Princeton has strong ana
well organized set Of backs IN Captain
Click, Tibbott. Shea and briggs. VINO
are particularly well equipped 1or
either running. passing or klcklng'
Where Tigers May BE Weak
Against this Princeton is lacking in
a plunging back Of the Jim McCormicH
type on anything which has been seen
his wear. The Tigers have line from
tackle 10 tackle which at times against
Dartmouth was easily tented out OF
position and which quickly lost ITS
power when spread. Princeton has a
system Of end play which unless modi-
fed or changed works directly into the
hands OF Harvard's scheme Of attack
built so largely around Captain Ma
hans amazing skill in wide end runs
and dashes off tackle,
These IN few words are Princeton ;
most apparent assets and Liabilities
remembering also that the Tigers are
well grounded in the fundamentals ana
have learned, as much by instinct as by
precept and example, the value and I'M
portance Of following loose ball.
Turning TO the other side, Harvard
has Eddie Mahan, host IN himself, d
player who is a constant and lmmlneh.
source Of danger, a haliback who ranks
with the greatest o. all time II he GOES
not deserve the undisputed place at 'ne
top. Harvard has capable PAR OF enci
and line from tackle 20 tackle whicH
showed signs Of unmistakabie power
and latent ability against Cornell. Har-
ward also has punter in Mahan VINO
when at his best, Is not far behind
Eddie briggs, and "a drop kicker IN the
some player who scored three times ~
this method in one game this year
Harvard also has Haugh.on and sys
TEN which has stood the acid test for
four or five years.
Such weaknesses as cropped out from
time to time have not been structural
or so IL seems 20 me The defence ha
lacked solidty. the attack It's usual
elasticity and variety, but for reason
il appears. of greenness and inexperi-
ence. The basic principles Of that
strong running attack Of year aeo
have been there. but lacked its highes'
development II may or NAV not oo
reached to-day.
Even Mahan Is Human.
Mahan is human. He showed that
against Cornell when his punting was
inconsistent and his fumbling danger
Gus. IL not fatal. but Mahan is not
likely 10 have another day Ike that
this year II he does. Haryari's
chances to-day are cut in half. lie is
the backbone. II not the soul. OF the
Crimson team, and therein lies the
danger.
Summing Up. then. IL would seem as
If the game may hinge on the ability
Of the Princeton ends TO turn of D.
check Mahan on running plays from
lake kick formal ons. either around
the ends or Oft tackle. and the advan-
tage which Princeton may have in kick
ing.
IL the Tiger ends depend too strong
ly on the waiting game and so give the
Harvard interference a chance 20 form
before Mahan, then. IN my opinion. any
advantage which Princeton may have
in K cking will be more than Offset.
One thing should be emphasized
Princeton has been equipped tins wear
with proper offensive weapons. whlcl
has not been the case IN the immedi,
ate past. IL remains 20 be seen only II
Bowling AIey. Bnnsrd Pool
ES...zN Table AR: Reg.% -