Fansided

Ranking Alabama’s National Championships in football

By John Buhler

Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players celebrate after defeating the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 31, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide players celebrate after defeating the Michigan State Spartans in the 2015 CFP semifinal at the Cotton Bowl at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 18, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide mascot Big Al brings his team onto the field prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2014; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide mascot Big Al brings his team onto the field prior to the game against the Texas A&M Aggies at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /

1930

The 1930 Alabama Crimson Tide went 10-0, crushing the Washington State Cougars in the Rose Bowl, 24-0. This the third National Championship for the school and the final of three in the Wallace Wade era in Tuscaloosa.

The only criticism of that championship season for the Tide is that it was a split national title with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Both teams came out on top in the Davis Poll.

In the Southern Conference, Alabama went 8-0 and allowed a combined 13 points all season long. Tennessee put up six points on the Third Saturday in October. The next week Vanderbilt had a touchdown, losing to the Tide by the score of 12-7.

This championship was also mired by Wade’s resignation at the start of the year, saying he would leave the program to go coach Duke. He never gave a reason for his departure, but many speculate he wanted to coach at a private school and the criticism he received in Tuscaloosa the three previous years for not winning a championship had lingering effects on his attachment to the program he built.

Even after Wade announced his intention to leave, he still rattled off a perfect season, capping off with a shutout victory in the Rose Bowl. It would be four years before the Tide would win their next National Championship, this time under head coach Frank Thomas. Wade would go on to having a successful run at Duke before earning enshrinement in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Next: 5. 1992

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