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In 1945 Coach Frank Thomas led his Alabama team, headlined by QB Harry Gilmer and a suffocating defense, to an SEC championship and perfect 10-0 record with a 35-point average margin of victory. The Tide capped off the season with a dominant 34-14 win in the Rose Bowl over #11 USC. Unfortunately, the team had to settle for #2 behind a juggernaut Army squad that also finished undefeated and notched three blowout wins over top ten teams to close the season. National title notwithstanding, the '45 unit remains one of the greatest in Crimson Tide history.