The 1881 college football season had no clear-cut champion, with the Official NCAA Division I Football Records Book listing Princeton and Yale as having been selected national champions.
Conference and program changes Team Former conference New conference Richmond Colts Program established Independent Georgetown Program established Independent Penn State Program established Independent Columbian University Program established Independent Dartmouth Program established Independent Kentucky State College Program established Independent Lewisburg Program established Independent MIT Engineers Program established Independent Randolph–Macon Yellow Jackets Program established Independent
Conference standings
References