Conference changes • A 1991
NCAA rule change required athletic programs maintain all of their sports at the same division level by the 1993 season. In order to comply, many
Division I programs with football teams at the
Division II levels reclassified their programs to Division I-AA, resulting in a large number of teams departing Division II after the 1992 season. • After losing four of its core members to this requirement, the
Western Football Conference was forced to dissolve before the season. Four of its members reclassified to Division I-AA while its remaining members either became Division II independents or dropped their football programs. • The
West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference transitioned its entire membership from the
NAIA to Division II prior to the season.
Program changes • After
Texas A&I University joined the
Texas A&M University System in 1989 and changed its name to
Texas A&M University–Kingsville in 1993, the
Texas A&I Javelinas became the
Texas A&M–Kingsville Javelinas at the start of the 1993 season. • After
West Texas State University joined the
Texas A&M University System in 1989 and changed its name to
West Texas A&M University in 1993, the
West Texas State Buffaloes became the
West Texas A&M Buffaloes at the start of the 1993 season. ==Conference standings==