The New York herald., 1921-11-19
Crimson Has BacIxers.


Harvard there Is a strong sentiment In
favor of the Crimson. Ed Robinson,
coach of the Brown eleven, which played
both the Blue and the Crimson, favors
Harvard. Ten of the fifteen Princeton
players who saw action against the
rivals Of to-day have come out in favor
the the Cambridge team. Harvard, it is
conceded, has a spotty line, but it also
is conceded that 1t has the greatest for
ward pass in the East. And the pass
has been a most potent factor this sea-
son.
AS was demonstrated last Saturday
Yale has powerful line which has a
strong punch. 1t has well balanced
eleven with a lot of tiptop reserves. 1t
has well rounded and versatile attack
strong running game, a strong inside
game and considerable ability with and
against the forward pass.
If Harvard were to play no better foot
ball than 1t did against Princeton, Yale
would beat the Johnnies with nothing
more than its off tackle and outside as
sault. But the Harvard team of to-day
promises to be nothing like the Harvard
eleven Of two weeks ago. which was in
poor physical condition and could not
deliver a telling punch against the Tiger.
If the Crimson can get back to the
form it displayed in the splendid 81 to 21
tie with Penn State the Ellis will have
their hands full from the opening whistle
There's the big question, and nobody can
answer 1t better than the Harvard team
itself.
While recognising the danger of
Hdrvord's great passing game zoe are
inclined to jdUor Yale. Against
Princeton zoe liked the fine aoay IL,
7otich the Eli for,cards hurled back
the driues of the Tigers. Yale
charged tofth po,oer aud speed,
though 1t did not put up q perfect
game by any means. The line shotced
feto rough edges, but it needed that
hard game to put it on edge.
n No Ell Position Weak.
On defence Yale stood up all along the
line. There was no position which ap-
peared to be notably weak-palpably
open to assault-and we cannot say that
of the Harvard line, which we have seen
three times this season-against Penn
State, Centre and Princeton. Harvard
Is inclined to be cratic 1t may give
and give and then make q tremendous
stand. Witness the fine way in which
It behaved when Princeton was only one
yard from a touchdown and was thrown
back for loss of the ball on downs.
W The Harvard line is likely to be spotty
on attack. only to find itself for one
grand effort such as gave it a third
touchdown and pulled game out OF the
fire against Penn State. Harvard. above
all, Is team of terrific fighting ability
and as the Yale outfit is of similar
mould those who will see the shindig will
witness one Of the toughest and hardest
games in years. Fight stands out at
every angle in that determined Yale
eleven. It's the one thing which even
the veriest tyro will note as soon as
the ball is kicked off.
Kicking is big factor in Yale's sys-
tenn OF attack and defence, but against
Harvard 1t will not have the advantage
In that respect that II has against
Princeton. Harvard has g. master
'punter In Fitts--as great a kicker as
Aldrlch--and first class drop kicker in
Buell.. Aldrich, in kicking two field
goals against the Tigers, showed world
OF class with the boot but IL Buell. Is In
the form which he showed early in the
year he may hold the Blue leader even
in that detail.
And then there is Owen. who kicked
that fine goal against Princeton. In all
kinds of kicking ii seems to be even
Stephen" 1t may be that this game will
be decided through field goals. In fact
Harvard Is likely to make every effort
10 strike through the drop kick and
adopt the measures It used In the days
Of Brickley. 1t all depends on how Yale
reacts to the Crimson's air game and
running attack.
That Forward Pass!
Against Penn state the Harvard team
developed a fine inside attack but Il has
not shown Il since. IL may find Il again
this afternoon, and II It does Yale's for
wards Mt last may find themselves out
charged and outdone in strength and
speed and precision But It Is the for
ward pass which stands out salient In
Harvard's scheme as we imagine 1t for
to-day-and It's the pass which may
send Yale home disappointed, beaten.
The Harvard pass Is the best In the
East, better than Notre Danes in the
West. Harvard does not have TO deploy
TO work it's toss. IL has pass which
works out OF the threat OF the kick for
nation. But that Is secondary It's
great pass works out of feint at the
line--a smash at guard. most often. IL
works criss cross and has a lot of snap
and deception. We do like that pass,
and we cannot overemphasize Its excel
lent points.
Yale may have n great pass too. but
mus far il has not shown II. And we
s doubt very much IL u will be able TO
match the Harvard air game. A good
zeal depends on the way the ends show