1983 Tennessee State Tigers football team

1983 Tennessee State Tigers football
ConferenceIndependent
Record8–2–1
Head coach
Home stadiumHale Stadium
Vanderbilt Stadium
1983 NCAA Division I-AA independents football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 3 Holy Cross ^    9 1 1
No. 17 Tennessee State    8 2 1
No. 7 Colgate ^    8 3 0
Lehigh    8 3 0
Lafayette    6 4 0
Northeastern    6 4 1
Southeastern Louisiana    6 5 0
William & Mary    6 5 0
Nicholls State    5 6 0
Bucknell    4 5 1
Delaware    4 7 0
Northwestern State    4 7 0
James Madison    3 8 0
Richmond    3 8 0
Western Kentucky    2 8 1
  • ^ NCAA Division I-AA playoff participant
Rankings from NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee poll

The 1983 Tennessee State Tigers football team represented Tennessee State University as an independent during the 1983 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by 21st-year head coach John Merritt, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 8–2–1. At the conclusion of the season, the Tigers were also recognized as black college national champion.