SYRACUSE VS. TEXAS
TEXAS
May surprise
The Longhorns' only defeat of the season came in their game with the opponent which most resembles Syracuse-Texas Christian. TCU, with a line as big as Syracuse's, held the quick, opportunistic Texans in check for most of their game, then went ahead on a 56-yard scoring run made possible by a rare Texas defensive lapse. Syracuse can expect no such gift from Darrell Royal's well-grounded Texans, who will hit harder than any other team on the Orange schedule and will have a geographic advantage in playing in the familiar Cotton Bowl before some of the loudest nonstop rooters in the country. Syracuse will also have to gird itself for the speedy thrusts out of the split-and wing T of Sophomore Backs Jack Collins, Jim Saxton and Mike Cotten, three who can run with the Syracuse backs. Surprisingly, Texas' ultimate weapon may turn out to be the pass, which it used only sparingly during the season but with impressive effectiveness (eight touchdowns on only 37 completions). If the Longhorns stall on the ground, look for them to pass—the running pass is especially potent—and in any event look for a close, exciting game.
SYRACUSE
A solid choice
Sound as a McKinley dollar and justly ranked first in the nation, the Orangemen have the only perfect record among major college teams, whom they lead in total offense, total defense, rushing offense and scoring. Syracuse thus provides the hungry East with its greatest opportunity for an important bowl victory by a nonservice team since Pitt shut out Washington at Pasadena in 1937. Ben Schwartzwalder's men, led by Guard Roger Davis and End Fred Mautino on the rugged line, do not have a discernible weakness except, possibly, defense against the medium pass. The team has size, speed, depth (28 useful players) and a real field boss in Halfback Ger (Der F√ºhrer) Schwedes. Often it looks nonchalant coming to the line of scrimmage, but there is nothing casual about the way it explodes when Quarterback Dave Sarette or Dick Easterly shoves the ball into the stomachs of the likes of Schwedes, Ernie Davis or Art Baker. There are five men who pass, too—so deftly, in fact, that Syracuse has the second-best completion record in the country. Heavier, deeper, more consistent than Texas, Syracuse should win in a close one, Texas speed and all.
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ILLUSTRATION
PHOTO
JACK COLLINS: BACKFIELD WORKHORSE
PHOTO
GERHARD SCHWEDES: VERSATILE LEADER