The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-12-29
(Reg. U. s. Pat. Od.) By JACK CUDDY


 New York, Dec. 29-CUP)-The new sports year will be ushered in Monday with some 316,0O0 fans at- tending six bowl" games. Because of the tremendous national interest in these football contests, we have taxed the cerebellun and cerebrum no end in attempting to pick the winnerS-resorting to Navaho sand readings, Harlem dream books, gypsy tea leaves, worm-eaten ouija boards, cracked crystal balls, and even statistics.
 After this unprecedented mental effort, we wound up with the fol- lowing pigskin prognostications:
 Rose Bowl, Pasadena, Calif.- Southern Cal. over Tennessee.
 Orange Bowl. Miami, Fla.-Geor- gia Tech, over Tulsa.
 Sugar Bowl, New Orleans-Duke over Alabama.
 Cotton Bowl, Dallas, Tex.-Okla- homa Aggies over Texas Christian.
 Sun Bowl, Fl Paso, Tex.-South- western Texas over Mexico.
 Shrine game, San Francisco-East over West.
 The Miami Orange encounter shapes up as the best game on the slate. This braWl between Bill AL exander's Engineers of Georgia Tech. and Henry Frnka's Golden Hurricane from Tulsa smacks of rematch between the last Sugar Bowl clash at New Orleans in which Georgia Tech edged Tulsa, 2O-18. Tech, surprise conqueror of Navy, is favored because of its demonstra- tion of combined ground and air strength during a tough schedule. But Tulsa has plenty of back be- cause of the passing prowess of Perry Moss, and its formidable run- ming attack, spearheaded by Camp Wilson.
 Pre-War Team
 For the Pasadena Rose Bowl, the Southern California Trojans are heavily favored over Tennessee's F91lunteers, because the Trojans showed almost pre-war strength in late-season play. They walloped California and U. c. L. A. by lop- sided scores, gaining revenge for earlier ties with the Bears and Uclans, They beat two service clubs, St.. Mary's Pre-Flight and San Diego Naval. Tennessee, which didn't play last year, had a sur- prisingly good season, with only a scoreless tie with Alabama against its record. But competition in the Southeastern Conference was con- sideraDly below par this year.
 The Oklahima Aggies are favored to beat Texas Christian in the Cot ton Bowl at Dallas largely on the basis of their superior showing against four mutual oppcnestS this season-TeXas, Texas Tech, Arkan- sas and Oklahoma. The Aggies beat all four; but the Horned Frogs were tied by Arkanses and beaten by Oklahoma. This should be free- scoring game in which Bob Feni- more and John Hadaway will do much passing for Oklahoma and T. c. U.. respectively.
 Crimson Tide
 AShhgs kApbAbAg lAC nLEUkibGob team in Dixie. is liked over Alabama because Tom Davis. John Krissa, George Clark and Gordon Carver combine for such c formidable run. ming attack; and Carver does well with the aerials. Alabama has a statistical edge. but it was gained against much weaker opposition.
 For the Sun Bowl at 70 Paso. Southwestern is preferred over the team from Mexico D., because the Mexieans will be dropping down about 5000 feet in altitude for the contest, . big handicap. Meanwhile, for the shrine contest at San Pfans cisco, Andy Kess's Fasteners are favored over the West team because Of their apparently superior bAeks | fleld, which incidentally includes Lea | HoTyath of Ohio State.
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