Alabama 34 USC 14
USC suffers first Rose Bowl defeat in nine appearances as Frank Thomas' Alabama (9-0) steamrolls over the Trojans (7-3) in a 34-14 display of superiority. USC gives up more points in this one game than it allows eight previous Rose Bowl foes combined. Instead of passing USC into submission, Bama quarterback Harry Gilmer runs them, gaining 113 yards in 16 carries himself. James Corbitt adds 46 yards, Gordon Pettus 39 yards and Lowell Tew 43 yards. Only the defensive play of Ted Tannehill in the secondary prevents the score from being more decisive.