1972 UPI Rankings
| Final Poll For 1972 Season |
| Rank |
Team |
Record |
Votes |
| 1972 UPI |
| 1 | Southern California | 11-0-0 | | | 2 | Oklahoma | 10-1-0 | |
| 3 | Ohio State | 9-1-0 | | | 4 | Alabama | 10-1-0 | |
| 5 | Texas | 9-1-0 | | | 6 | Michigan | 10-1-0 | |
| 7 | Auburn | 9-1-0 | | | 8 | Penn State | 10-1-0 | |
| 9 | Nebraska | 8-2-1 | | | 10 | Louisiana State | 9-1-1 | |
| 11 | Tennessee | 9-2-0 | | | 12 | Notre Dame | 8-2-0 | |
| 13 | Arizona State | 9-2-0 | | | 14 | North Carolina | 10-1-0 | |
| 14 | Colorado | 8-3-0 | | | 16 | Louisville | 9-1-0 | |
| 17 | UCLA | 8-3-0 | | | 17 | Washington State | 7-4-0 | |
| 19 | Utah State | 8-3-0 | | | 20 | San Diego State | 10-1-0 | |
|
Great Moments in College Football History
During Nebraska Cornhuskers' home games, their stadium becomes the state's third largest city.
