The 1974 NCAA Division II football season, part of college football in the United States organized by the National Collegiate Athletic Association at the Division II level, began in September and concluded with the Division II Championship on December 14 at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento, California.
Central Michigan defeated Delaware 54âÂÂ15 in the Camellia Bowl to win their only Division II national title. CMU moved up to Division I in 1975.
The 1974 NCAA Division II Football Championship playoffs were the second single-elimination tournament to determine the national champion of NCAA Division II college football.
The four quarterfinal games were played on campus and all four host teams advanced. The semifinals were the Pioneer Bowl in Wichita Falls, Texas, and the Grantland Rice Bowl in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The championship game was the Camellia Bowl, held at Hughes Stadium in Sacramento, California for the second consecutive year. The Central Michigan Chippewas defeated the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens 54âÂÂ14 to win their first national title. After opening with a home loss to Division I Kent State, CMU won twelve straight to finish as D-II champions.
<nowiki>*</nowiki> <small>Denotes host institution</small>
In 1974, United Press International (UPI) and the Associated Press (AP) ranked teams in their College Division or "small college" polls â which had started in 1958 and 1960, respectively â for the final time. UPI published their final poll at the end of the regular season, while the AP waited until postseason games had been completed. UPI's number one selection was the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, who during the regular season were 10âÂÂ0 while outscoring opponents 294âÂÂ103. The Bulldogs later lost in the playoffs to the Central Michigan Chippewas, winners of the tournament. AP's number one selection was the Chippewas, who were 9âÂÂ1 during the regular season and finished with an overall record of 12âÂÂ1 while outscoring opponents 450âÂÂ127.
United Press International (coaches) final poll<br> Published on November 27
Associated Press (writers) final poll<br> Published on December 24
Record includes NCAA Division II playoff games<br> Record includes NCAA Division III playoff games Louisiana Tech final record actually 11âÂÂ1 Western Carolina final record actually 9âÂÂ2<br> Record includes NAIA Division I playoff games<br> Record includes NAIA Division II playoff games<br> Record includes Pelican Bowl win