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The 1972 Wisconsin Badgers football team was an American football team that represented the University of Wisconsin as a member of the Big Ten Conference during the 1972 Big Ten season. In their third year under head coach John Jardine, the Badgers compiled a 4–7 record (2–6 in conference games), finished in ninth place in the Big Ten, and were outscored by a total of 229 to 152.^[1][2]

The Badgers gained an average of 117.5 passing yards and 200.0 rushing yards per game. On defense, they gave up an average of 102.3 passing yards and 249.6 rushing yards per game.^[3] The team's individual statistical leaders included: quarterback Rudy Steiner (1,080 passing yards); running back Rufus Ferguson (1,004 rushing yards); and running back Jeff Mack (27 receptions for 528 yards).^[3]

Dave Lokanc and Keith Nosbusch were the team captains.^[4] Rufus Ferguson was selected as the team's most valuable player.^[5] Four Wisconsin players received first- or second-team All-Big Ten honors from the Associated Press (AP) or United Press International (UPI): Ferguson at running back (AP-1, UPI-2); Lokanc at linebacker (AP-1, UPI-2); and Nosbusch at offensive guard (AP-2, UPI-2); and Mike Webster at center (UPI-2).^[6][7]

The Badgers played their home games at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	Result	Attendance	Source
September 16	1:30 p.m.	Northern Illinois*	Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI	W 31–7	62,710	[8]
September 23		Syracuse*	Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI	W 31–7	67,234	[9]
September 30		at LSU*	Tiger Stadium Baton Rouge, LA	L 7–27	69,142	[10]
October 7		Northwestern	Camp Randal Stadium Madison, WI	W 21–14	74,595	[11]
October 14		at Indiana	Memorial Stadium Bloomington, IN	L 7–33	50,122	[12]
October 21		at Michigan State	Spartan Stadium East Lansing, MI	L 0–31	62,638	[13]
October 28		No. 4 Ohio State	Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI	L 20–28	78,713	[14]
November 4		Iowa	Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI (rivalry)	W 16–14	78,723	[15]
November 11		at Purdue	Ross–Ade Stadium West Lafayette, IN	L 6–27	53,507	[16]
November 18		at Illinois	Memorial Stadium Champaign, IL	L 7–27	45,703	[17]
November 25		Minnesota	Camp Randall Stadium Madison, WI (rivalry)	L 6–14	60,746	[18]
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Central time

^[19]

The following Wisconsin players were selected in the 1973 NFL draft.^[20]