December 5, 1972 AP Poll
| Rank | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | USC |
| 2 | Oklahoma |
| 3 | Ohio State |
| 4 | Alabama |
| 5 | Penn State |
| 6 | Auburn |
| 7 | Texas |
| 8 | Michigan |
| 9 | Nebraska |
| 10 | LSU |
| 11 | Tennessee |
| 12 | Notre Dame |
| 13 | Colorado |
| 14 | UCLA |
| 15 | Arizona State |
| 16 | North Carolina |
| 17 | Louisville |
| 18 | West Virginia |
| 19 | Washington State |
| 20 | Purdue |