The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-11-20
GRIDIRON ECHOES
By FRED BODEKER

Another example of what over confidence can do to a perfectly good football team is the terrible licking which Tulane gave the strong Uni versity of Alabama eleven in New Or leans Saturday. Tulane, already de- feated several times and not considered to have very formidable team, waded into the Crimson outfit who possess one of the best elevens. and gave it the worse beat of the entire season.
 Alabama went to New Orleans big favorite. Nobody had any idea that the dope would be upset following the Crimson's defeat in Atlanta two weeks ago by Georgia Tech. The Crimson players knew they gave Tech an awful scare and holding a good team to a close score is almost as dear as d victory.
 The defeat of the Crimson, however, will probably make Alabamas s chances against Georgia here Thanksgiving much stronger. Coach Kelley will most likely drive his men much harder to make up for the startling defeat and the indications are they will face Georgia with better chances than had they swamped Tulane.
 Tt is only another example of what over-confidence will do. The ending of it's workings is not known.
 The Southern gridiron season as well as the gridiron season in general is now on it's last legs. Only one more battle, that on Thanksgiving Day, and the pigskin artists will kindly lay their togs away until next September when the general call will again bring out the performers of the favorite sport.
 This year has been one for the gen eral upset of dope and the majority of colleges will be glad to see the sea- son for this reason. Good teams have been falling to weaker ones, and the end of surprises will hardly come un- til the affair is wound up.
 Birmingham will not have a big football game on the card for next Saturday, but the game will be big one from the standpoint of fight. Howard college and Birmingham col lege meet at Redwood field in their annual struggle which can be truth fully said is one of the bloodiest staged in Birmingham.
 For years the two colleges with their bitter rivalry have been meet ing on the gridiron. The majority of the football going fans do not at tend chiefly because the game is not between two leading or important col leges. That's where they make their mistake.
 All football fans should witness 'small' battle once and awhile. Then when the big ones get together the game will really be appreciated.
 But the battle Saturday will easily be one of the best of the year. barring none. Birmingham, using Vanderbilt plays entirely. has not been defeated but one time this season, and that by the strong Alabama team. How ard, equipped with Pennsylvania plays, has been having about the average success. but is coming stronger every game.
 Prediction in regard to the game cannot be made and have it turn out true For the past two years, Howard has had the better team, better at least two or three touchdowns, but on each occasion has the game re- suited in tie. This year odds are slightly in favor of Birmingham, all though the majority of fans who have watched the work of both teams, con slider it an even bet. We'll watch the outcome with interest.
 Not one of the leading southern elevens will participate in a game