The 1972 Alabama squad finished the regular season with a 10–1 record and as conference champions.
[1] Following their victory over Virginia Tech, university officials announced they accepted an invitation to play in the Cotton Bowl.
Following their victory over TCU, university officials announced they accepted an invitation to play in the Cotton Bowl.
Alabama opened the game by going up 10–0 as a result of a pair of Alan Lowry interceptions.
[3][4] Steve Wade made both interceptions for the Crimson Tide, and the first resulted in a 50-yard Greg Gantt field goal and the second a 31-yard Wilbur Jackson touchdown.