The 1972 NCAA College Division football season was the 17th and final season of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the NCAA College Division level.
College Division teams (also referred to as "small college") were ranked in polls by the AP (a panel of writers) and by UPI (coaches). The national champion(s) for each season were determined by the final poll rankings, published at or near the end of the regular season, before any bowl games were played.
Both the UPI and AP panels ranked Delaware (10âÂÂ0) first, followed by Louisiana Tech (11âÂÂ0), and Cal Poly (8âÂÂ0âÂÂ1). Louisiana Tech later defeated in the Grantland Rice Bowl, while Cal Poly lost to North Dakota in the Camellia Bowl. Delaware declined an invitation to face UMass (7âÂÂ2) in the Boardwalk Bowl, and did not play in the postseason.
United Press International (coaches) final poll<br> Published on November 22
Associated Press (writers) final poll<br> Published on November 23
Tennessee State actually 9âÂÂ1 when the poll was taken.
The postseason consisted of four bowl games as regional finals, all played on December 10.
Grambling defeated North Carolina Central in the inaugural Pelican Bowl to capture the black college football national championship.