The 1926 college football season was the first to attempt recognition of a national champion. Stanford University, coached by Glenn "Pop" Warner, was the #1 team in the nation under the Dickinson System, and awarded the Rissman Trophy. Unbeaten Stanford (10-0-0) faced unbeaten Alabama (9-0-0) in the Rose Bowl at Pasadena and the two teams played to a 7-7 tie. Meanwhile, Parke H. Davis, a renowned football historian and football rules committee member, declared Lafayette College (9-0-0) national champions in Spalding's Football Guide. Subsequently, the Leopards are recognized as a co-national champion in the 1926 season.