1986 Jackson State Tigers football team

The 1986 Jackson State Tigers football team represented Jackson State University as a member of the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC) during the 1986 NCAA Division I-AA football season. Led by 11th-year head coach W. C. Gorden, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 9–3, with a conference record of 7–0, and finished as SWAC champion. Jackson State advanced to the NCAA Division I-AA Football Championship playoffs, but lost to Tennessee State in the first round.