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re: Alabama Football, carrying the torch for the South since 1926
Posted on 12/14/12 at 4:54 pm to MikeHoncho
Posted on 12/14/12 at 4:54 pm to MikeHoncho
That article is a nice attempt at revisionism. Unfortunately for the author, the first great southern football team was not an Alabama team.
In fact, the first great southern football team was Georgia Tech's 1917 team coached by John Heisman.
LINK
The reason they were the first "great" southern team is that they were the first team to take on an Eastern powerhouse (Penn) and win convincingly.
Sure, teams like Vanderbilt had been good for years (but always lost to Michigan or any other Big Ten team). LSU had a great year in 1908 with a (probably bought) player from Pennsylvania. LSU, however, did not play a team from the East, and Penn was widely considered the "national champ."
ETA: GT put southern football on the map in 1917. Without that season, Bama likely doesn't get invited to play in the Rose during the 20s.
In fact, the first great southern football team was Georgia Tech's 1917 team coached by John Heisman.
LINK
The reason they were the first "great" southern team is that they were the first team to take on an Eastern powerhouse (Penn) and win convincingly.
Sure, teams like Vanderbilt had been good for years (but always lost to Michigan or any other Big Ten team). LSU had a great year in 1908 with a (probably bought) player from Pennsylvania. LSU, however, did not play a team from the East, and Penn was widely considered the "national champ."
ETA: GT put southern football on the map in 1917. Without that season, Bama likely doesn't get invited to play in the Rose during the 20s.
This post was edited on 12/14/12 at 4:59 pm
4
Posted on 12/14/12 at 4:58 pm to TxTiger82
TxTiger82
The point is that in the national scope at this time, the South's football teams were not taken seriously.
But, thank you, I learned something
The point is that in the national scope at this time, the South's football teams were not taken seriously.
But, thank you, I learned something
Posted on 12/14/12 at 6:04 pm to TxTiger82
quote:
ETA: GT put southern football on the map in 1917. Without that season, Bama likely doesn't get invited to play in the Rose during the 20s.
We did our part in 1922 by beating Penn at their place.
Posted on 12/14/12 at 7:01 pm to TxTiger82
quote:
The reason they were the first "great" southern team is that they were the first team to take on an Eastern powerhouse (Penn) and win convincingly.
Sure, teams like Vanderbilt had been good for years (but always lost to Michigan or any other Big Ten team). LSU had a great year in 1908 with a (probably bought) player from Pennsylvania. LSU, however, did not play a team from the East, and Penn was widely considered the "national champ."
ETA: GT put southern football on the map in 1917. Without that season, Bama likely doesn't get invited to play in the Rose during the 20s.
Very interesting and thanks for bring up the story of GT's Everett Strupper. Interestingly, he was the journalist that later supposedly called Bama the "Red Elephants" post football career.
Everett Strupper was a big arse baller (although small in stature).
Thanks for sharing.
Posted on 12/14/12 at 9:08 pm to TxTiger82
quote:
In fact, the first great southern football team was Georgia Tech's 1917 team coached by John Heisman.
This
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