1972 Stanford Cardinals football team

1972 Stanford Cardinals football
ConferencePacific-8 Conference
Record6–5 (4–4 Pac-8)
Head coach
Offensive coordinatorRobert A. Jones (1st season)
Defensive coordinatorNorb Hecker (1st season)
Home stadiumStanford Stadium
1972 Pacific-8 Conference football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 1 USC $ 7 0 012 0 0
No. 15 UCLA 5 2 08 3 0
No. 19 Washington State 4 3 07 4 0
Washington 4 3 08 3 0
California 3 4 03 8 0
Oregon 2 5 05 6 0
Stanford 2 5 06 5 0
Oregon State 1 6 02 9 0
  • $ Conference champion
Rankings from AP Poll

The 1972 Stanford Cardinals football team represented Stanford University in the 1972 NCAA University Division football season. Following the departure of head coach John Ralston for the Denver Broncos in early January, defensive backs coach Jack Christiansen was promoted to head coach. Stanford finished at 6–5, but were 2–5 in Pacific-8 Conference play, tied for sixth.

The school changed its nickname from "Indians" to "Cardinals" in March after objections from Native American students and a vote by the student senate.