Evening star., 1951-12-31
Agree on Big Score;
Maryland Squad 10
Leave Biloxi Today
BY MerreIl WhittIesey

Az SANoSA w n6AGSaAANAte oAt tktS
outcome than they were when the
teams were matched almost a
month ago.
Never, Sugar Bowl veterans say,
in the history of this contest has
there been such disagreement
among visiting coaches and foot
ball experts. There's dynamite in
the respective offenses. the sleight-
of-hand split-T of the Terps and
the solid single wing OF the Vols.
Both teams are acknowledged
to be superb on defense. and the
coaching is beyond question. Both
have deptl4. But there's some in
tangible factor that lends to vari-
ance in the predictions.
Terps Arrive Today.
There is one lone point that is
pretty well agreed. Many think
it viii take three touchdowns to
win, but they're not sure who will
score the three touchdowns. It's
pretty generally agreed it could
be a five-touchdown ball game.
Meanwhile, the Maryland squad
prepared to leave its Biloxi
tMiss.l training camp at 1890
pm. today for the nearly 10o-mile
journey here. The Terps will
spend the night at a Naval air
station on the outskirts Of New
Orleans. There's a 10 pm. cur
few. regardless Of New Years
Eve.
The coaching staff will attend
the New Years Eve dinner at the
famed Antoine's Restaurant and
then rejoin the players. The
coaches have to be sharp tomor-
row, too.
The Tennessee squad viii come
here tomorrow from Baton Rouge.
Showers were forecast later
today. but thus far the weather
has been springlike and ideal for
the visitors. although the coaches
probably would prefer it to be
a trifle cooler.
Terps Top Scoring Team.
In the pre-game debates. no
one has dared to say that Tennes-
see, even with its defenseS two
deep, can hold Maryland scoreless.
The Terps were the Nations high
est scoring team with a 39.2 aver
age. although they didn't meet
the likes Of the Vols anywhere in
their nine games.
In its 10-game schedule. Tenn
eseee averaged 373 points. but
the Vols didn't meet a team with
the defensive rating of the Terps.
And Tennessee scored 68 of those
points against Tennessee Poly
technic Institute and go against
Washington and Lee. OF course, 81
of Maryland's points also were
compiled against W&L.
Everybody predicts Coach Bob
Neyland of Tennessee viii play
his famed kicking" game. which
calls for booting the ball down
the opposition's throat until the
opponent makes q mistake. Tenn
essee frequently scores in this
manner, just waiting for the
break.
Split-T Opponents Scored.
The Vols have played four split
r teams, counting Alabama which
plays a modified split-T. and held
only Duke scoreless. Alabama
scored twice against the Vols.
Washington and Lee twice when
and Mississippi, the team
most comparable to Maryland In
strength, tailed three times.
Tennessee hasn't been held un-
der two touchdowns since the Ken
lucky game Of 1850, which was
played In snowstorm. in 6-de-
gree weather on an icy field. The
Vols won that one, To.
The Vols only game under four
touchdownS this year was the
opener against Mississippi State
In which Tennessee scored two
touchdowns in the first three min
utes and 81 seconds. The final
score was 14-0.
During his 25 years as head
coach of the Vols. Neyland has
stressed defense to the point where
the opposition has averaged only
five points per game. Five Of the
Vols opponents this year were held
scoreless, Mississippi State, Duke.
Tennessee Poly, North Carolina
and Kentucky.
Has to Stress Defense.
Neyland, the perfectionist, fea-
lures defense because Tennessee's
reputation is such that the oppo-
nent always lays for the Vols with
emphasis. Game after game, the
Vols encounter formations that
scout reports never foretell.
Both the Maryland and Ten
|nessee camps have been saying
they win have something new to
show tomorrow afternoon when
the teams meet before $4,000 fans
lin the Sugar Bowl. But much OF
this is believed to be propaganda
Maryland will be the biggest
team Tennessee has played this
year, but the difference in weight
lis not too overpowering. In fact
lit is difficult to realize the Terps
have an advantage when you
think Of comparatively little fell
lows like 165-pound Joe Horning
and 175-pound Dick Nolan block
ling against the big Vols. Horn
ling and Nolan will be in blocking
roles II the injured Ralph Feltor
lis unable to play. and the final
decision on whether his knee viii
stand up will not be made unit
game time.
May Be "CIose to the Vest
In reference again to the 20
tential touchdown production %
the teams, a former Tennesset
player was saying today he didn'
believe there was much possibilit,
of one team getting so far behine
lit would take to the air witt