The Waterbury Democrat., 1941-10-02
TENNESSEE ONLY REAL OBSTACLE. TO THOMAS'11'
Fine Backs Promised With Only Mid-Line Veterans
 Missing
Rx RICHARD LASS

AbASAAAAANA~ A@sSN~~ United Press StaR CorrespOndentl
 Tuscaloosa, Ala. (UP)-Alabama, five times a visitor to the Rose Bowl, has high hopes of making 1t an even half dozen this year, and there is only one stop on the sched- ule where Coach Frank ThomaA fears the Crimson Tide might be de- railed.
 If the green light is still shining when the Tide pulls out of Knox vile after the clash with Tennese see on Oct. IS, it appears that the right of way should be clear to Pasadena.
 This year Alabama has e better chance to defeat Tennessee than in the past four years. Since 1897, the Tide has been unable to solve the strategy of Major Bob Neyland, but now Neyland is gone to the army and some of his better play- CTS are lost. On the other hand, Alabama is better, on paper, than last year when 1t won seven and lost two.
 Ends Well Guarded
 With only 13 returning letter. men and Capt -elect John Hanson lost to the air corps, Alabama will be raw in the middle but exceed ingly well seasoned In outside poe Ations. Four letter winners will be available for flank jobs, including Holt Rast, the conferences out- standing end last season, and @ complete hackheld of experienced hands will be on hand.
 The vital center position prob- ably will be filled by Norman (BulD Wesley, @ senior who was held in reserve for two years and has not yet won 6 letter. Vaughn Stewart, sophomore who started at center for the freshmen two years ago and then dropped out for year, also Is counted on for heavy duty.
 At guard will be John Wyhonic, alternate captain, and George Hecht, Chicago junior who weighs in at 221. He was the only sopho- more guard to win & letter last year and will do most of the teams place-kicking.
 The pride of Phi Beta Kappa, 231-pound Noah Langdale, will play his last season at tackle. Paired with him will be Wallace RicheSon, 2l5-pourd senior, or Don Whitmire, sophomore heavy weight, rated as one of the best defensive linemen on the squad.
 It's the backf1eld, however, that gives Alabama supporters their best chance of making another jaunt to the Rose Bowl, and pos Sibly their fourth victory there.
 Sabo at Quarterback
 Al Sabo, l85-pounder from Los Angeles, will be the starting quar- terback. Smart, fast and rugged, Coach Thomas will allow him a free hand on the field. Sabo was on the injured list last year and is not as well known as he deserves to be. His chief contenders for the varsity berth will be George Gam mon, a fine passer, and Sumpter ASAOSAAAOAAi oSAAAOA 4GSSANSs
 Promising halfbacks include Jimmy Nelson, in his third year as a regular; Billy Harrell, fastest of the backs; Howard Hughes, a sophomore who is expected to win four letters this year, and Dave Brown and Russ Craft, both let- tired as sophomores last season.
 The Alabama schedule is loaded with seven conference contests. A pair of warmups and a tapering- of game.
 The schedule:
 Sept. 27-Southwestern Louisiana Institute at Tuscaloosa.
 Oct. 4-Mississdppi State at Tus- caloosa.
 Oct. ll-Howard College at Bir- mingham.
 Oct. lS-TennesSee at Knoxville.
 Oct. 25-Georgia at Birmingham.
 Nov. 1-Kentucky at Tuscaloosa
 Nov. 8-Tulane at New Orleans.
 Nov. 15-Georgia Tech at Bir. mingham.
 Nov. 22-Vanderbilt at Nashville.
 Nov. 29-University of Miami at Miami (night game).