The 1916 college football season had no very clear cut champion, with the Official NCAA Division I Football Records Book listing Army and Pittsburgh as national champions. Both Army and Pittsburgh claim a national championship for the 1916 season. Georgetown led the nation in scoring with 464 points.

Conference changes

Membership changes

Large scores

Georgia Tech defeated Cumberland 222 to 0. Sewanee also beat Cumberland 107 to 0.

Rose Bowl

Oregon defeated Penn, 14–0, in the 1917 Rose Bowl.

Conference standings

Major conference standings

Independents

Minor conferences

Minor conference standings

Awards and honors

All-Americans

The consensus All-America team included:

Statistical leaders