The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-29
Both Teams Are About
 Evenly Matched For Big ,, Thanksgiving Day Game

-2 At 2 o'clock this afternoon at Rick wood field, the University of Ala bama, leaders in the race for southern honors, will meet the undeteated FGator eleven from the University Of Flordia in what promises to be the s greatest gridiron clash in the terri tory south of the Mason-DiXon line. .-.@ The descending curtain on the 1923 football season brings both teams to the footlights for their final DOW Both elevens enter their fnal tllt with expression of confidence, and both in the prime of condition. Only @unfavorabfe weather conditions will Prevent record crowd from witness Ing the melee.
 The Gators from Sunny Florida arrived in Birmingham yesterday shortly after noon and lost no time Tn becoming acclimated. They dug their elects for the first time in Alabama Clay at the Roebuck Country club. In drizzling rain, they purposely coated ! their pigskin with mud in anticipa- tion of misdeal by MT. Weather Man.
 The Crimson Tide worked but light at the Capstone yesterday afternoon and are scheduled to arrive in the city this morning to uphold their spotless record.
 e we are ready for the big fight" said Major J. A. Van Fleet, Florida
 
 a wonderful game. Our squad is in excellent condition and are prepared ..for the supreme test of the year. The team that plays football from the starting until the closing whistle will win. l hope and think that 1t will be us.''
 From University, Ala, Capt. Al Clemens send a similar cry of con- s.6idence. We will give Florida a hard game and will face them deter mined. but not overconfident," is his comment.
 Ss In the weight of the two teams, there is but a few pounds difference. The advantage that the Crimson squad gains in the line is offset by the heavier Florida backfield.
 Teams Well Matched.
 In ability, both teams have es- tablished an excellent reputation dur ing the season of 1923. Alabama has consistently worked it's way to vic tory over a stiff schedule. Three the surging tide, while the Golden Tornado were held to a scoreless tie.
 The Gators of Florida broke into prominence when they not only held the Army scoreless for three periods, but outplayed them in the first half. They also held the advantage over Georgia Tech for three quarters of classic at Grant Field, although tied 3n the last minute of play.
 The Gators then took on a quartet of three comparatively easy games and over confidence is said to have been a contributing cause for their tie game with the Mississippi Aggies in Jacksonville last Saturday.
 Both elevens boast of stubborn defense and a smashing offense.
 The meeting this afetrnoon will have many unusual features but all is the southern championship cup that is to be given by Champ Pickens of Alabama to the conference eleven voted the highest point score by group of southern sport writers.
 Then the Turkey Day" crowd will see two veterans, both Alabama boys, but one playing under Flori .-da's colors fn~their last college foot powerful Alabama left end, finishes his fourth and most brilliant year under the Crimson and White. Clem- ems played the best game of his ca reer against Syracuse in Archbold stadium and won recognition from northern sports writers. Captain Robinson of Florida. born near Mo bile, Ala, and rated last season as one of the south's foremost tackles, will also lay aside his moleskins after 'today's battle.
 "Ark" Newton Great Punter.
 The lighting Gators" will also bring on the field this afternoon other All-Southern material in "Ark" Newton, phenomenal punt and halfback, and "Goldy" Goldstein, right guard. Goldstein gained prominence at West Point and Is re- ceiving serious consideration from southern sports writers to flank the center on the mythical eleven.
 The influx of Alabama students n Ia act arrival of Florida rooters this morn- ing will add color to the first cham pionship game to be played in Bir mingham on Thanksgiving Day.
 A shadow of past meetings between the two teams will also flash over Rickwood Field. In it's first two af- fairs with the Gators, the Crimson Tide rode to impressive victories, but fin 1921 the Florida scrappers sur pf1sed Alabama with a g to ? defeat.