[1] In December 1926, prior to the Rose Bowl, Stanford was selected as the national champion under the Dickinson System.

Stanford (10-0, 4-0 PCC) faced off against the Southern Conference Champions, the Alabama Crimson Tide (9-0, 8-0 SoCon).

United Press called the 1927 Rose Bowl "the football championship of America", and the game was considered the most exciting in the series up to that time.

Stanford held that lead through most of the rest of the game, but in the final minutes, they were forced to punt on fourth down.

Four plays later, and with a minute left, Jimmy Johnson carried the ball for a touchdown, making it 7-6.