The 1996 NAIA Division I football season was the NAIA, was the 27th (and final) season of play of the NAIA's top division for football. The NAIA reverted to a single division for its football championship in 1997.
The regular season was played from August to November 1996. The 1996 NAIA Division I Football Championship Series then concluded with the 1996 NAIA Champion Bowl, played that year on December 7, 1996 at Milam Stadium in Weatherford, Oklahoma.
Southwestern Oklahoma State defeated in the Champion Bowl, 33–31, to win their first NAIA national title.
Conference standings
Conference champions Conference Champion RecordFrontierMontana Tech4–2
Rankings Final NAIA Division I poll rankings:
Rank Team (first place votes) Record (thru Nov. 17) Points 1 Southwestern Oklahoma State (2) 7–3 10 2 6–4 8 3 8–2 6 4 6–3 4 5 6–4 2
Postseason
Bracket
See also 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season 1996 NCAA Division I-AA football season 1996 NCAA Division II football season 1996 NCAA Division III football season
References