Season by season
The 1972 Season: 1972
Opened the season with Nebraska holding the belt; USC closed it out. 13 belt games this season: 4 title changes and 9 defenses.
| # | Date | Matchup | Score | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 952 | September 9, 1972 | Nebraska at UCLA | 17–20 | New champion: UCLA |
| 953 | September 16, 1972 | UCLA at Pittsburgh | 38–28 | Defended · #1 |
| 954 | September 23, 1972 | Michigan at UCLA | 26–9 | New champion: Michigan |
| 955 | September 30, 1972 | Tulane at Michigan | 7–41 | Defended · #1 |
| 956 | October 7, 1972 | Navy at Michigan | 7–35 | Defended · #2 |
| 957 | October 14, 1972 | Michigan State at Michigan | 0–10 | Defended · #3 |
| 958 | October 21, 1972 | Michigan at Illinois | 31–7 | Defended · #4 |
| 959 | October 28, 1972 | Minnesota at Michigan | 0–42 | Defended · #5 |
| 960 | November 4, 1972 | Michigan at Indiana | 21–7 | Defended · #6 |
| 961 | November 11, 1972 | Michigan at Iowa | 31–0 | Defended · #7 |
| 962 | November 18, 1972 | Purdue at Michigan | 6–9 | Defended · #8 |
| 963 | November 25, 1972 | Michigan at Ohio State | 11–14 | New champion: Ohio State |
| 964 | January 1, 1973 | Ohio State vs. USC | 17–42 | New champion: USC |
Season Detail
Reigns That Started This Season
| Team | Since | How | Held It |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCLA | September 9, 1972 | took it from Nebraska | 14 days |
| Michigan | September 23, 1972 | took it from UCLA | 63 days |
| Ohio State | November 25, 1972 | took it from Michigan | 37 days |
| USC | January 1, 1973 | took it from Ohio State | 299 days |