| Year: | 1917 |
| Team: | VMI Keydets |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | South Atlantic Intercollegiate Athletic Association |
| Short Conf: | SAIAA |
| Record: | 4–4–1 |
| Conf Record: | 1–3–1 |
| Head Coach: | Earl Abell |
| Hc Year: | 1st |
| Stadium: | VMI Parade Ground |
The 1917 VMI Keydets football team was an American football team that represented the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) during the 1917 college football season as a member of the South Atlantic Intercollegiate Athletic Association. In their first year under head coach Earl Abell, the team compiled an overall record of 4–4–1.[1]