| Year: | 1997 |
| Team: | Ohio Bobcats |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Mid-American Conference |
| Division: | East Division |
| Short Conf: | MAC |
| Record: | 8–3 |
| Conf Record: | 6–2 |
| Head Coach: | Jim Grobe |
| Hc Year: | 3rd |
| Off Coach: | Troy Calhoun |
| Oc Year: | 1st |
| Off Scheme: | Triple Option |
| Def Coach: | Tim DeRuyter |
| Dc Year: | 3rd |
| Stadium: | Peden Stadium |
The 1997 Ohio Bobcats football team was an American football team that represented Ohio University in the Mid-American Conference (MAC) during the 1997 NCAA Division I-A football season. In their third season under head coach Jim Grobe, the Bobcats compiled an 8–3 record (6–2 against MAC opponents), finished in a tie for second place in the MAC's East Division, and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 301 to 177.[1] [2] [3] They played their home games in Peden Stadium in Athens, Ohio.[4]
The team's statistical leaders included Kareem Wilson with 369 passing yards, Steve Hookfin with 864 rushing yards, and Damion Maxwell with 180 receiving yards.[5]