1947 Alabama Crimson Tide football team

To open the 1946 season, the Crimson Tide defeated the Mississippi Southern Golden Eagles at Legion Field 34–7 in what was the first all-time meeting between the schools.[4][5][6] The Crimson Tide took a 6–0 lead in the first quarter when Harry Gilmer threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Rebel Steiner. Norwood Hodges extended the Alabama lead to 13–0 at halftime with his eight-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.[4] Early in the third quarter, Mississippi scored their only points of the game on a 66-yard Bubba Phillips touchdown run to cut the Crimson Tide lead to 13–7.[4] Alabama responded with 21 unanswered points for the 34–7 victory. Touchdowns were scored on a four-yard Gilmer run in the third and on a two-yard Hodges and one-yard Ed Salem run in the fourth quarter.[4]

To open conference play, Alabama traveled to New Orleans and lost to the Tulane Green Wave 21–20.[5][7] After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide took a 6–0 lead after Norwood Hodges scored on a one-yard touchdown run. However, the Green Wave responded on the kickoff that ensued when Ed Price returned it 101-yards for a 7–6 Tulane lead.[7] A Bennie Ellender touchdown pass as the second quarter ended gave the Green Wave a 14–6 halftime lead.[7] Ray Prats extended the Tulane lead to 21–6 early in the third quarter after he returned an interception 65-yards for a touchdown.[7] The Crimson Tide responded with a pair of third-quarter touchdowns, but lost by a single point. Alabama touchdowns in the third were scored by Hodges on a two-yard run and by Billy Cadenhead on an eight-yard run.[7] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Tulane to 15–5–1.[8]

Against Vanderbilt, Alabama lost 14–7 at Dudley Field in a game dominated by the Commodores' pass defense.[5][9] Vanderbilt scored the only points of the first half when Jamie Wade threw a 61-yard touchdown pass to John North for a 7–0 lead.[9] In the fourth quarter, Robert Berry scored for the Commodores on an 11-yard run after they intercepted a Harry Gilmer pass.[9] A late 23-yard Gilmer touchdown pass to Carl Mims to make the final score 14–7 and breakup the Vanderbilt shutout attempt.[9] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Vanderbilt to 16–11.[10]

In what was the first all-time game against Duquesne, the Dukes lost 26–0 in the first Denny Stadium game of the season.[5][11][12] After a scoreless first quarter, the Crimson Tide took a 7–0 halftime lead after Billy Cadenhead scored on a six-yard run.[11] The Alabama lead was extended further in the third quarter after a 58-yard Norman Mosley punt return and a one-yard Norwood Hodges touchdown run to make the score 20–0 as they entered the final period.[11] In the fourth, Travis Hicks scored the final points of the game and made the final score 26–0.[11]

Against Tennessee, the Crimson Tide shutout Volunteers 10–0 before a sellout crowd at Legion Field.[5][13] After a scoreless first half, a nine-yard Billy Cadenhead touchdown run in the third and a seven-yard Hugh Morrow field goal in the fourth provided for the 10–0 margin of victory.[13] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Tennessee to 17–9–3.[14]

Against Georgia, the Crimson Tide defeated the Bulldogs 17–7 before 48,000 fans at Sanford Stadium.[5][15] The Crimson Tide took an early 7–0 lead after Harry Gilmer returned a punt 80-yards for a touchdown.[15] The Bulldogs responded in the second quarter with their only points on an 83-yard John Rauch touchdown pass to Eli Maricich to tie the game 7–7 at halftime.[15] Alabama retook the lead in the third on an 84-yard run that saw Lowell Tew run 44-yards before he tossed a lateral pass to Billy Cadenhead who took it the final 40-yards for the touchdown.[15] A seven-yard Hugh Morrow field goal in the fourth made the final score 17–7.[15] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia to 16–14–3.[16]

In Lexington, the Crimson Tide defeated the Wildcats 13–0 at McLean Stadium who were led by former Crimson Tide player Bear Bryant.[5][17] Alabama scored all of their points on a pair of touchdowns in the first half. The first came on a three-yard Harry Gilmer run in the first quarter and the second on a two-yard Billy Cadenhead run in the second quarter.[17] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Kentucky 24–1–1.[18]

Against the Yellow Jackets, the Crimson Tide had their second consecutive upset victory with their 14–7 at Legion Field.[5][19] Alabama took a 14–0 lead into the fourth quarter after a five-yard Harry Gilmer touchdown pass to Rebel Steiner in the first quarter and on a one-yard Gilmer run in the second quarter.[19] Tech scored their only points late in the fourth quarter on a four-yard Robert McCoy touchdown run to make the final score 14–7.[19] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Georgia Tech to 14–12–3.[20]

On homecoming in Tuscaloosa, Alabama defeated LSU 41–12 to close out conference play for the season.[5][21] Immediately following the win, the Crimson Tide accepted an invitation to play in the 1948 Sugar Bowl.[21] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against LSU to 13–4–3.[22]

This game against the Miami Hurricanes was originally scheduled to be played on Friday, November 28.[24] However, severe weather and poor field conditions postponed its being played until the following evening, and in what was their final regular season game, Alabama defeated Miami 21–6 at Burdine Stadium.[5][23][25] Miami took a 6–0 lead in the first quarter after Harold Schuler threw a 33-yard touchdown pass to Ed Houck.[23] The Crimson Tide then responded with 21 unanswered points to win the game 21–6. Touchdowns were scored on a three-yard Harry Gilmer pass to Rebel Steiner in the second quarter and on runs by Gilmer and Jim Cain in the third quarter.[23] The victory improved Alabama's all-time record against Miami to 2–0.[26]

Against the Texas Longhorns, the Crimson Tide were defeated 27–7 in the 1948 Sugar Bowl.[27] The loss brought Alabama's all-time record against Texas to 0–4.[28]