What Is 1917 Alabama Crimson Tide football

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1917 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama during the 1917 college football season, finishing with a 5–2–1 record under head coach D. V. Graves. They played their home games at Denny Field in Tuscaloosa and competed as a member of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA).

Key Facts

The 1917 Alabama Crimson Tide finished the season with a 5–2–1 overall record
Head coach D. V. Graves was in his second season leading the team
Alabama played home games at Denny Field in Tuscaloosa
The team competed in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA)
They were shut out in two games, including a 0–14 loss to Georgia Tech

Overview

The 1917 Alabama Crimson Tide football team represented the University of Alabama during the 1917 college football season. Led by head coach D. V. Graves in his second year, the team competed as part of the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) and played its home games at Denny Field in Tuscaloosa.

Despite a modest 5–2–1 record, the season reflected the challenges of maintaining consistent play during World War I, when many student-athletes were called to military service. Alabama faced a mix of regional opponents, including notable programs like Georgia Tech and Sewanee, with varying degrees of success.

Record: The team finished the season with a 5–2–1 overall record, including three wins at home and two road victories.
Head Coach: D. V. Graves led the Crimson Tide for the second consecutive season, having taken over in 1916 after the departure of previous coach Hugh C. 'Red' Weaver.
Home Field: Alabama played its home games at Denny Field, a wooden grandstand facility located on the university campus in Tuscaloosa.
Conference: The team competed in the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA), a precursor to the modern-day SEC.
Season Start: The season began on October 6, 1917, with a 21–0 win over Howard College (now Samford University).

How It Works

The 1917 season operated under early 20th-century college football rules and scheduling norms, with limited substitutions, no forward pass dominance, and regional travel constraints shaping team performance.

Game Rules: The forward pass was legal but rarely used; most offenses relied on running plays and short throws under 1917 NCAA rules.
Scheduling: Teams played 8–10 games per season, mostly against regional opponents due to limited transportation infrastructure.
Player Eligibility: Many players were older due to wartime enlistments, and rosters fluctuated based on military commitments.
Scoring System: Touchdowns were worth 5 points until 1912; by 1917, they were worth 6, with field goals at 3 and safeties at 2.
Coaching Role: Head coaches like D. V. Graves managed play-calling and training with minimal staff, often兼任 physical education instructors.
Travel: Teams traveled by train or automobile, limiting long-distance matchups and reinforcing regional competition.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1917 Alabama team compared to other regional programs during the same season:

Team	Record	Key Opponent	Head Coach	Notable Result
Alabama	5–2–1	Georgia Tech	D. V. Graves	Lost 0–14 to Georgia Tech
Georgia Tech	9–0	University of Pennsylvania	John Heisman	Undefeated national powerhouse
Sewanee	5–2–0	Vanderbilt	H. E. Cunningham	Beat Alabama 14–0
Vanderbilt	7–1–0	Michigan	Dan McGugin	Lost only to Texas A&M
Tennessee	4–2–1	Alabama	John R. Bender	Tied 7–7 with Alabama

The table highlights Alabama’s mid-tier performance compared to dominant teams like Georgia Tech and competitive peers like Vanderbilt and Sewanee. While Alabama defeated weaker opponents like Howard and Birmingham College, losses to Sewanee and Georgia Tech revealed gaps in strength. The tie with Tennessee showed improvement but underscored inconsistency. These comparisons illustrate how regional strength varied and how wartime conditions affected team depth and preparation across the South.

Why It Matters

The 1917 season is a snapshot of college football during a transformative era, shaped by war, evolving rules, and the rise of Southern football programs.

Historical Context: The U.S. entered World War I in April 1917, affecting college rosters and athletic participation nationwide.
Program Development: Alabama’s participation in the SIAA helped lay the foundation for future SEC dominance.
Coaching Legacy: D. V. Graves’ tenure, though brief, contributed to the program’s early institutional memory.
Game Evolution: The 1917 season occurred just before the widespread adoption of the forward pass, marking a transitional phase in football strategy.
Regional Rivalries: Games against Sewanee, Tennessee, and Georgia Tech helped establish long-standing Southern football rivalries.
Legacy: Though not a championship year, the season is part of Alabama’s documented football history dating back to 1892.

Understanding the 1917 season provides insight into the challenges and growth of college athletics during a pivotal moment in American history. It reflects how sports persisted even during national crises and how early efforts shaped future success.