| Year: | 1996 |
| Regular Season: | August–November 1996 |
| Playoffs: | November 23–December 7, 1996 |
| Championship: | Milam Stadium Weatherford, OK |
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.[1] [2]
defeated in the Champion Bowl, 33–31, to win their first NAIA national title.[3]
Final NAIA Division I poll rankings:
| Rank | Team (first place votes) | Record (thru Nov. 17) | Points | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | (2) | 7–3 | 10 | |
| 2 | 6–4 | 8 | ||
| 3 | 8–2 | 6 | ||
| 4 | 6–3 | 4 | ||
| 5 | 6–4 | 2 |
| 1996 NAIA Division I Football Championship | |
| Visitor Total: | 31 |
| Home Total: | 33 |
| Visitor Quarter1: | 10 |
| Visitor Quarter2: | 7 |
| Visitor Quarter3: | 7 |
| Visitor Quarter4: | 7 |
| Home Quarter1: | 0 |
| Home Quarter2: | 23 |
| Home Quarter3: | 7 |
| Home Quarter4: | 3 |
| Stadium: | Milam Stadium |
| City: | Weatherford, Oklahoma |
| Moop: | Keith Kizzie, Southwestern Oklahoma State |
| Modp: | Mark Patterson, Southwestern Oklahoma State |
| Series: | NAIA Football National Championship |
| Prev Year: | 1995 |
| Next Year: | 1997 |