The light Rhode Island State eleven with scarcely an enviable record behind it yet perhaps with a trick or two in its bag, will tackle the University team in the Stadium this afternoon at 3 o'clock in the season's opener for the Crimson. The visitors started their 1923 season rather unauspiciously two weeks ago when they lost to Maine 14 to 0. But since that time they have pointed their work toward today's game and will show an improved attack with several surprise plays in all probability.

Coach Fisher will start a veteran line with the exception of Daniell, who is taking Grew's place at left guard. Greenough will be used at center in place of Kernan, who is recovering from an injury to his hand received early in the week. The Crimson line will average 188 pounds.

In the backfield Coach Fisher is starting Lee at quarterback with Cheek, Howe, and Jenkins. Of these Cheek and Howe are of last year's Freshman team while Jenkins, an end last season, is now back in his old position of 1921. Either Jenkins or Cheek will do the kicking today with the probabilities in favor of the latter.

The visitors start the game with few veterans, but Captain Kirby at left end and Perry at left tackle received favorable comment for their play during the 1922 season and might cause the Crimson some worry today. Rhode Island is expected to try chiefly open spread formations coupled with a long aerial attack. Just how much they have perfected their offensive in the past two weeks is entirely a matter of conjecture, but it is doubtful if they will show much more power and finish than in the Maine defeat two weeks ago. With the University line outweighing them more than ten pounds to the man, and surpassing them even more in experience, they are wisely expected to discard a line-plunging attack.

Today's game will not force a real test of the University's strength unless all predictions are upset. Coach Fisher will use only simple formations and if the opportunity occurs will send in various backfield combinations at least in order to test the development of as many members of the squad as possible. The visitors might however, turn the tables if their aerial attack ever got under way, and it looks as if the Crimson secondary defense would bear the brunt of today's work.