The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-11-08
SPORTS
Vandy and Alabama Battle
 Saturday on EUen Terms
Comparative Scores Indicate Vandy Will Win by 69 Points Open Play Expected to Predominate- e-Last Big Game
 of Season-Seats to Be Reserved
By FRED BoDEKER

Continued gossip has increased in the interest in the University of Alabama and Vanderbilt clash at Redwood Field Saturday afternoon, indicating another close and fiercely contested battle. Ad- vance reports from the rival camps places the elevens in excellent condition, and the two aggregations will line up for the struggle practically on even terms.
 Unexpected interest, especially in re- gard to betting, is being displayed. The Commodores, always a favorite here, lost many of their believers for victory over the Crimson by the slaughtering de- feat at the hands of the Tech Yellow Jackets. But Alabamas followers lost gobs of confidence when the Sewanee Tigers managed to secure 8 tie verdict.
 A little dope by the comparative score route places the Commodores a heavy fa- vorite. Here's one way of figuring 1t out: Howard and Sewanee battled to : to tie. Vandy swamped Howard, 69 to 0. Alabama and Sewanee tied, mean ing that Alabama could not defeat How ard. If such is the case, then vandy is 69 points better than the Crimson.
 SCORES NOT SOUND
 But the comparative scores cannot be used as a sound basis for placing pre- dictions. Anybody will admit that Vandy will not defeat the Crimson that bad, even if they do manage to win.
 Local gridiron fans who witnessed the Vandy-Tech game at Atlanta last Sat urday failed to find any great weakness in the McGugin machine. They placed all the responsibility for the overwhelnl- ing score, which was s3 to 0, in the unstoppable power of the golden tornado. Then they are unanimous in the belief that the Commodores did not exert them selves, believing their task with the Jackets was hopeless, while their chances for the remaining games on the schedule were exceptionally good.
 Then Vandy never did have an oppor- tunity to open their offense on the Jack cts And yandy is always strong in that respect.
 PLENTY OF OPEN PLAY
 Consequently McGugin's men are ex- pected to have an unlimited quantity of bewildering forward pass and trick formations in store for the Crimson. Vandy is always mighty strong III thls respect also, as it will be remempered NeNh secured by the aerial route in the closing minutes of play.
 Alabama is certainly one over-rateo team The Crimson machine is not nearly as strong as advices from the camp would indicate. The team is not as strong as the one last year. and especially not Tn regard to fighting qualities. The back field is good. but the need of a good held general is evident.
 The Crimson and Vandy are each han tlicapped by the presence of green men on the roster. Consequently, this Will not work disadvantage on either aggre- aation.
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 N ome trouble should the
 , ne elase AA far as known Vandy Q neT rssN D boot goals from the .lalG
 The game promises to be a battle of open play. The Crimson attack is always featured by that style of popular play, while Vandy has always been noted for