The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-04-26
CLOSE BATTLES IN
 BIG TEN GROUP
 FOR 1885 SEASON
Best Scrap in Years Ex- peCted as Rivals Get
 Ready
By GEORGE KIRKSEY nitctl Press Stan Correspondent.

United Press StafR Correspondent.
 Chicago (UP)-The football out look in the Big Ten this season points to one of the closet battles in years for the conference cham pionship.
 Michigan. which has dominate l the Big Ten for the past four years. promises to be knocked off its lofty perch. Several teams. nota- baly Minnesota, Illinois and Iowa, are on the upgrade, and the fight for the title may narrow down to these three.
 Teams to Be Stronger
 Every team in the conference, with ths exception of Michigan. and perhaps Ohio State, promises to be stronger than year ago. The three teams, Chicago. Wiscon- sin and India, which failed to win a conference game last season. all have better prospects for the com ing campaign.
 Two new coaches will make their debut in the conference this fall. Francis Schmidt, a Nebraska alum nus, who has had unusual success at Arkansas and Texas Christian in tn Southwest conference, replaces Sam Willaman at Ohio State. Alvin (Bo) McMillin, who has developed fine teams at Centenary, Geneva and Kansas State since his playing days at Centre College, succeeds Billy Hayes at Indiana.
 Bob Zuppke, beginning his 22nd year at Illinois. is the oldest coach in the Big Ten. Dick Hanley, starting his eighth season at North western, is the conferences next oldest coach in point of service.
 How They Stack Up
 Thumbnail sketches of each teams prospects follow:'
 MICHIGAN - Tied for title in 1880 and 1881 and won it outright in 1892 and 1883. Wolverine lose eight of last years regulars, and Harry Kipke will have to rebuild tea mfrom ground up. Material plentiful and Kipke can be count ed on to get the most out of his men.
 MINNESOTA - Favorite for Unbeaten in confer ence last year, but played four ties. Only one man, Roy Den, center, missing from last years team, and sophomores and reserves are good. Seventeen letter men back.
 ILLINOIS - wen be as strong as last year." says Zuppke. Last year Illinois missed tie for the tilte by missing two points after touchdown, losing two conference games by 76 scores. Twelve let termen back, with good materlai coming up from freshmen.
 PURDUE - Noble Kizer loses most of his line, but has two Of the Big Tens best backs, Duane Purvis and Jim Carter, to build team around. Team will be strong and may develop into champion ship contender.
 Hawkeyes Promising
 IOWA - With 15 letter men re- turning. and plenty of god young sters on hand, Ossie Solem prom ises to have the Hawkeyes up Tn the championship battle.
 NORTHWESTERN - Return Of GeOfRe FOtteE u qudi lSA bhSh ~ good crp of sophomores likely to make Northwestern stronger of- fensive team. Wildcats likely to be dangerous team, but short or championship calibre.
 OHIO STATE - Buckeyes loss- es almost as heavy as Michigan's, but still plenty of material to build winning team. Shifting of Mlchl- gan game to late October and ne" coach should help Ohio's spirit.
 Due for Comeback
 WISCONSIN - Badgers are dae for a big comeback after last year 5 disastrous campaign. Doc Spears loses only six letter men, and has several stars coming up from great freshman team. Almost cer- tain to climb into first division.
 CHICAGO-The Maroons came a long way last year under Clark Shaughnessy, and are due for more jmproyement this season. IT capa- ble reserves turn up, Chicago may have something to say about tne championship although not nkely to win 1t themselves.
 INDIANA-Bo McMillin has It letter men to work with, and IS likely to develop a tough, trouble some team. Hoosiers are certain 10 have an offense, something they haven't had in several years past