Lining Them Up

To the strains of the West Point band, and forming the most brilliant spectacle that Boston is ever treated to, the Cadets from the banks of the Hudson invade Cambridge today for the annual football classic. There is one question, and one question only in the minds of gridiron followers today, and that is, "Can Harvard turn the tables on the highly-touted Army eleven?" Viewing the odds of from 5-1 to 3-1 and 2-1 which the bookies were offering yesterday, it looks as if there were little doubt in the minds of most, concerning the outcome. A victory for the Army would mean little more than another triumph for one of the greatest teams that the Cadets have ever fielded, but a Harvard victory would mean more than one ray of light and hope for the Crimson eleven. Harvard has been a tantalizing outfit this year, with its bright spots brighter than bright, and the duller moments inexcusably dull. It has clicked, and it has failed to click, but the impression has always been left that it is almost ready to go. The club has been dangling the apple before Tantalus too long, and a break is about due.

In and about Cambridge the sentiment seems to be that Harvard couldn't be as bad as it was against Army last year for two seasons in a row. There is hope in the college that has developed overnight, it seems, for the concensus of opinion after the Lehigh brush, was that Harvard must inevitably fall before the Army's vaunted attack. Advance season reports on the West Point team claimed that Gar Davidson was scheduled for some tough going if he wanted to whip the team into shape with only three returning regulars. He has done what seemed impossible, and has turned out a team that has flown in the face of the dopesters. And one of the most important factors in the Army's success is the performance of Jack Buckler, who has become an able successor to the list of West Point's great of the last few years. It seems as if the Army will always be a team that must count on one or two stars for the scoring power, because not so long ago it was Cagle who had to be watched, and only last year the mainstays of the team were Pick Vidal and Ken Fields.

Now it is Buckler who has the opposition baffled. He has turned into a rip-snorting, tearing, slippery half-back, not content with his power on the run, but also must be able to pass at full speed. It is this last ability that has amazed the critics and should be one of the highlights today. Harvard's pass defence has improved fast in the Dartmouth and Leigh games, or rather, the latter teams have been unable to complete passes. Shoat was a dominating factor in hurrying the passers, and his absence will be keenly felt. He has a capable successor in White and the Army tosses should have plenty of trouble. Buckler is very, very fast, and he is the one whom the Crimson must stop if they want to make a real game out of it. All in all there seems to be a little too much confidence in the Army camp. The dice are loaded a bit too heavily, and John Harvard is about due to show some fight. By TIME OUT.