The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-10-31
'BAMA PRACTICING' FOR GEORGTATECH
Tech Freshmen To Play Grim son Freshmen At Tus-
 CaIooSa Friday

UNIVERSITY, Ala, Oct. 3o.-(Spe- cial. .)-At Denny Field, the Crimson Tide of Alabama practices daily for their greatest test of the year; just across the street the Baby Crimsons are working out for their greatest test-both teams meet an eleven from Georgia Tech this week. The varsity goes to Atlanta for an en- gagement Saturday, and the fresh men await the coming of a Baby Tornado Friday afternoon.
 A1abama's freshmen team upset dope to smithereens this past Sat urday when they defeated Wake derbilt. but suffered the loss of one of their greatest stars. Holmes, one of the best defensive men on either varsity or freshmen team, was forced out in the very first period with an injured hand. It is more than doubtful whether he will be able to resume play this week.
 As a whole, the team showed up well Saturday. Every man in the backfield and on the line showed wonderful ability at keeping up with the ball and often turned the attack of the Baby Commodores by inter cepting pass or recovering tumble. Vanderbilt was outwitted. not outplayed, and that accentuates the coaching of Coach Bully Van degrdaf. Scrimmage against each other, possibly some light workouts against the varsity eleven, will fea ture this weeks work in prepara- tion of the coming Tech-Alabama fl eshmen battle.
 No Holiday For Game.
 As to the Tidesmen. they see Ix,,E offing and a hard afternoons work at Grant Field Saturday, President Mike" Denny posted a notice on bulletin board early Monday saying no holiday would be granted but it is doubtful whether few "cuts" will prevent students who really want to go from going. It Is OK pected that at least 600 Crimson stu dents will be in the stands when the opening whistle blasts, while 1t IS known that the 40-piece band and the three cheer leaders will be num- bered among those present. For the only topic on the campus this week is "On to Atlanta and let's get Tech"
 There's not an iota of optimism at the Capstone about the oncoming battle against Georgia Tech. Tech methods are known to Alabama, and 1t is pretty certain that Alabama methods are known to Tech. Ala bama enters the game favorites to come out loser, but that is not wor- rying the surging Tidesmen. It is going to be 8 small score affair, whichever team wins and there's some 'hopers" and "wishers" for 'Bama.
 According to those who witnessed the game against Spring Hill, Ala bama performed very creditably against the lighter Purple eleven. Alabama had little trouble scoring touchdowns, but found some diff culty at breaking up the pass for nation of Spring Hill. One good thing about the battle is that every member of the squad returned to the Capstone in the best of shape and everyone will be rarin' to go against the Golden Tornado.
 O o O
 Line Will Be Strong.
 The "thin red line" with Jones and Camp at guards, and Whitaker or Newton at end, will be prepared for the best that Tech can do. The backfield will probably be the same that started at Mobile Saturday,, Lack of reserve backs will not trouble the Crimsons this year, for Coach Wade has eight men almost on par with each other Hubert missed practice Monday afternoon, but is not injured.
 Ihe defenSe, defense of fight and pluck, that held the Syracuse eleven to 3 points for almost three periods is counted upon as one of the greatest assets of the Alabama eleven. Georgia Tech is probably in as good condition now as Syracuse was three weeks ago, and that means that 'Bama will. have a tough afternoon. No matter in what man ner an Alabamian looks at the com Ing fray,' Alabama seems to have just the least bit the short end of 1t. Alabama has no outstanding back like Wycoff, and have not defeated any outstanding elevens like V. M. l. or Georgetown.
 However. the odds may be, Tech will be faced with one of the great est fighting elevens that has ever worn the Crimson. Tide. It will be one of the best coached machines, one that knows what to do at the right time and one well able to size up an attack or a defense. There's quite few points about the attack | that Is not quite up to the level, but | with such backs as 'Bama possesses.