| Year: | 1972 |
| Team: | Iowa Hawkeyes |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Big Ten Conference |
| Short Conf: | Big Ten |
| Record: | 3–7–1 |
| Conf Record: | 2–6–1 |
| Head Coach: | Frank Lauterbur |
| Hc Year: | 2nd |
| Mvp: | Larry McCarren, Larry Allen |
| Captain: | Craig Darling, Dave Harris, Dave Simms |
| Stadium: | Kinnick Stadium |
The 1972 Iowa Hawkeyes football team represented the University of Iowa in the 1972 Big Ten Conference football season. Led by second-year head coach Frank Lauterbur, the Hawkeyes compiled an overall record of 3–7–1 with a mark of 2–6–1 in conference play, placing eighth in the Big Ten. Iowa played home games in Kinnick Stadium, which was renamed for the 1939 Heisman Trophy-winner, Nile Kinnick. The stadium was called Iowa Stadium from its opening in 1929 through the 1971 season.
See also: 1972 Ohio State Buckeyes football team.
See also: 1972 Illinois Fighting Illini football team.
Iowa closed the season with a win over Illinois. The Hawkeyes would not win again until upsetting No. 12 UCLA in the home opener of the 1974 season.