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PROS”

Here we are, again facing a new year. Fortunately most professional sporting events are annual affairs and we can again look to them for all the usual action and excitement. First comes the championship of American professional football. Aptly named "the Super Bowl", it often meets the expectations implied in its title. This year's event, featuring flue Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos, should be no exception. \

The Super Bowl is amazingly parallel to Canada's Grey Cup. Both titles, for instance, are decided by a single match. The games each climax professional football seasons while highlighting the sporting year of their respective countries.

They do, however, vary significantly. While the Grey Cup is ignored out— side of Canada, all of North America houses on the Super BONl. Evidence of this prestige is every— where. Zenon Andrusyshyn, for example, has gimn up a successful career with the Toronto Argonauts to try his fortune to the south. Even more convincing is Marv Ievy's immediate departure after winning the Grey Cup in antreal. He compiled a record of 50—34—4 in Canada, but has opted for the Kansas City Cniefs who last year were a mere 2—12. Thus the American championship is the one that truly decides football's world title.

In watching the race to the Super Bowl, it was hard not to questicm its fairness- Each team is in either the American or the National Conference, each of which is further divided into three I divisions. 'Ihe divisional champions enter the play— offs along with two wild card squads. These final selections are determined on the basis of won—lost records.

, 'Ihe whole structure seems fine on paper, but in reality it leaves something to' be desired. As in hockey, the most deserving teamsaren't always rewarded. In this

. regard the season just

past was typical. Baltimore's Colts and the Rams from Los Angeles I entered post-season action

with 10—4 records. 'Ihe Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears were also met 9-5. 'Ihe Miami Dolphins had ten wins while the New England Patriots and Washington Red Skins earned nine each, yet they were all eliminated. An- examin— ation of team scoring only heightens the inconsistency. Play—off bound Minnesota and Chicago were 231—227

and 255-253 respectively. miami, though, stood _ at 313—197 while New

‘ England was 278—217.

Such statistics leave little doubt as to which were the better teams.

The N.F.L.'s structure obviously has its flaws, but it is undoubtedly just as democratic and justified as that of any other sport. 'Ihe only better alternative would be to create a single division with‘the top eight teams in the play- offs. 'Ihe problem then, however, would be to devise a fair and balanced league schedule.

Regardless of fairness, the set—up of the N.F.L. has, this year at least, done its job. It has . created what should be an interesting and exciting Super Bowl. Dallas and Denver have been the best teams all season long. Both led their respective conferences with 12-2 marks, and easily dealt with their play-off ' opponents.

- been set. Only one of them can emerge as world champions.

From all indication it will be the classic

_ confrontation of a power- ful offense against a superb defense; 'me

* Cowboys cmpiled 345 ' “

points during the year. 'Ihat is 24.6 per game catpared to only 19.6

(274 in all) for Denver. ()1 defense, however, it is a different story. 'Ihe stingy Broncos yielded an average of only 10.7 while Dallas allowed 15.1. We are faced with the same old question. Can a great offense beat a great defense?

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A glance at the ups further reveals the

, strength of the Dallas,

offense. 'me Cowboys ‘can score in an almost unlimited number of ways. 'me newest and possibly the most threatening part of the act wears number 33. He is fleet-footed Tony Dorsett who has V gained”1008 yards in his first pro seasm. Also in the backfield is the v effective Robert. New— house. In talented, versatile and experienced Roger Staubadg, the team probably has the world's best quarterback. ,Billy, Joe Du Pree is a big name at tight end and Efren Herrera is a good field goal kicker. ,

The Dallas defense also has some outstanding performers. The best one is Harvey Martin (the sack man) who this season nabbed quarterbad<s finentye- three times. Dallas then, is an extremely talented team. ‘

'Ihe Broncos,on the other hand, are the? ;;

.1,

» 'Ihey stormed t‘o ant-u r 'l uneXPeCtGd' :. ="-~k"-i"~‘:~' A ‘

finiSh over defending W champion Oakland, and then thumped the Raiders again in the play—offs.

Now the upstarts are looking to win their

first Super Bowl. Quarter— back Craig Morton runs an offense that is conserv— ative, but good. 'Jhe aggressive defense is continually forcing turn- ' ' overs and almost always holding its ground. 'Jhe ' only thing more certain V than the team's defense is its fan support. All ~ season Denver residents have been fanatically enthusiastic aboutthe V Broncos" performance..'1hey will remain so, at least until after the Super Bowl.

The January, lSth’saIIE I ‘ at - Orleanswill z r . watching. , it fittth 'to play the » —

the Superdme?) file

are football' sq‘Cinderella'f: ‘ team and asesuc'h they'll" -' bertough to beat. Dallas, however, is more ,' and since A.F.C. has A dominated I recently}. the

law of averages will

favor the N.F.C.'~s

Cowboys. Dallas should win:

by five points .