The 1971 Cal Poly Mustangs football team represented California Polytechnic State College—now known as California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo—as a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) during the 1971 NCAA College Division football season. Led by fourth-year head coach Joe Harper, Cal Poly compiled an overall record of 6–5 with a mark of 3–0 in conference play, winning the CCAA title for the third consecutive season. The Mustangs played home games at Mustang Stadium in San Luis Obispo, California.