The 1987 NAIA Division I football season was the 32nd season of college football sponsored by the NAIA, was the 18th season of play of the NAIA's top division for football.
Cameron defeated Carson–Newman in the Champion Bowl (a re-match of the previous year's final, won by the Eagles), 30–2, to win their first NAIA national title.[2]
Conference realignment
Conference changes
This was the final season that the NAIA officially recognized the football champion from the Central States Intercollegiate Conference (CSIC).[3] The CSIC played one more season as part of the NAIA before disbanding.
^ – NAIA Division I playoff participant West Virginia State forfeited a shared of the conference title, one tie, and eight victories, including six conference wins, over Concord, Fairmont State, West Liberty, Salem, Glenville State, and West Virginia Tech.
After nine seasons of an eight-team bracket, the tournament field expanded to sixteen. In turn, the playoffs began during the month of November for the first time since 1975.