Factoid 386 - Frank Thomas’ undefeated 1945 team; why does Alabama not claim this as a National Championship?

In 1945 Frank Thomas coached the Alabama Crimson Tide to a 10-0 undefeated season. The AP poll and others awarded Army the national championship. The National Championship Foundation awarded the National Championship to Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama does not recognize this championship.

Frank Thomas coached the Alabama Crimson Tide from 1931 to 1946. His overall record at Alabama was 115–24–7. He also won two National Championships for Alabama (1934 and 1941) and four SEC Championships (1933–1934, 1937, 1945). His 1945 team went undefeated with most victories being very lopsided; the closest game that year was a 25-7 win over Tennessee.

Army, which won the National Championship in almost every poll that year also had very dominant victories. They were similarly lopsided like the Alabama victories. Army’s closest victory that year was a 28-7 win over Michigan.

However, there is no clear logic why Alabama wasn’t picked National Champion and most certainly why Alabama doesn’t claim 1945 as a National Championship year. They were undefeated and picked by the National Championship Foundation as the National Champion; why not claim this?