1986 Tennessee State Tigers football team

1986 Tennessee State Tigers football
ConferenceIndependent
Record10–2–1
Head coach
Home stadiumHale Stadium
Vanderbilt Stadium
1986 NCAA Division I-AA independents football standings
Conf.Overall
TeamW L TW L T
No. 4 Georgia Southern ^    13 2 0
No. 14 Tennessee State ^    10 2 1
No. 8 William & Mary ^    9 3 0
Eastern Washington    5 5 0
James Madison    5 5 1
Florida A&M    5 6 0
Northeastern    4 6 0
Western Kentucky    4 6 1
  • ^ NCAA Division I-AA playoff participant
Rankings from NCAA Division I-AA Football Committee poll

The 1986 Tennessee State Tigers football team represented Tennessee State University as an independent during the 1986 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by third-year head coach William A. Thomas, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 10–2–1. Tennessee State advanced to the Division I-AA post season and defeated Jackson State in the first round and lost to Nevada in the quarterfinals.