Evening star., 1950-12-26

fornia's third straight shot at the
oldest of the bowls, and Lynn
Waldorf believes this will be his
best bowl team. California is a
good team but in no sense great
one, as it's showing against South
ern California. San Francisco u.
and Stanford has proved.
Michigan hasn't as much line
strength as California carries
but in Ortmann.- Dufek and Ko-
ceski, the Wolverines have the
more dangerous backs. Ortmann
not only can run with the best OF
the Bears, but he can outpass their
best passer by some 80 per cent.
Ortmann is a brilliant back and
In better physical condition GER
tainly belongs in the All-America
class. Injuries cut both Ortmann
and Koceski down in more than
one big Michigan contest. Dufek
Is among the best fullbacks in the
country.
Lack of Passer Hurts.
Lack of a passer has crippled
California badly in her last two
bowl stands against Northwestern
and Ohio State. While Waldorf
has a fair passing attack this
season, it doesn't compare with
Michigan's control of the air route.
Michigan was trif1e too thin last
fall. but it had class with it's best
men ready. Michigan has had
time enough since her final game
to get back in shape and I believe
will have too many guns for he"
California rival.
It might be said that you can't
keep on beating CALIFORNIA; un-
beaten team forever and that Cali
fornia is overdue. In my scrambled
book Ortmann will be the decisive
factor.
This Rose Bowl affair rates a
close, bitterly fought afternoon
with Michigan out to keep her
Rose Bowl effort clean-and Cali
fornia even more determined to
end her bowl defeats. I think
Michigan has the better team.
Thinks Vols Underrated.
I have just left the widespread
borders of Texas where no one
believes that any team in the
country belongs with the Cherry
Price outfit. They tell you that
Texas was and still is two touch
downs better than Oklahoma. the
team that beat Texas, IA to 13.
You must agree with these Tex t
ans that Texas is one whale of a /
football team. But also believe
they have slightly underrated a
coach by the name of Robert
Neyland, one of the best coaches
football ever knew.
This Cotton Bowl game should |
be largely a battle of two great
lines-possibly the two best lines
in the country. They have two
All-American guards as starter
They are better on defense. Any
ground made in this Cotton Bowl
clash will be dearly earned.
No StandOut Backs
There is a chance this game
may not be as spectacular as some
Of the other bowls. For the
spectacular side too often belongs
to the offense. The offensive side
of football can get a rough test
in this party at Dallas.
Both Texas and Tennessee have
good running and passing attacks,
but nothing exceptional. Texas
has fine back in hard hitting
Townsend and Tennessee has a.
dangerous back in Lauricella, who
can pass and run. But there is
no Kyle Rote, Bob Smith, Helm
rich. Bob Williams, Kazmaier,
Ortmann, Reynolds or Isbell on
either team. Texas and Tennes-
see have effective backs, but no
standouts in a season that knew
more fine backs than any I can
remember. I recall checking 81
All-American possibilities who de-
served this consideration.
In the first bowl roundup, I am
picking Michigan and Texas. Both
games should be extremely close
and both are sure to be fought
out to the closing play. I believe
Tennessee has better chance to
beat Texas than California has
OF beating Michigan.
Tomorrow: Sugar and Orange
Bowls.