The 1961 Findlay Oilers football team represented Findlay College (now known as the University of Findlay) of Findlay, Ohio. In their first year under head coach Louis B. Juillerat, the team compiled a 7–3 record (5–0 against MOL opponents) and won the MOL championship.
The 1961 Ohio Northern Polar Bears football team represented Ohio Northern University of Ada, Ohio. In their second year under head coach Arden Roberson, the team compiled a 6–3 record (4–1 against MOL opponents) and finished second in the MOL.
The 1961 Bluffton Beavers football team represented Bluffton University of Bluffton, Ohio. In their eleventh year under head coach Kenneth Mast, the team compiled a 5–3 record (2–3 against MOL opponents) and tied for third place in the MOL.
The 1961 Defiance Yellow Jackets football team represented Defiance College of Defiance, Ohio. In their eighth year under head coach Dick Small, the team compiled a 3–5 record (2–3 against MOL opponents) and tied for third place in the MOL.
The 1961 Ashland Eagles football team represented Ashland University of Ashland, Ohio. In their third year under head coach Fred Martinelli, the team compiled a 3–6 record (2–3 against MOL opponents) and tied for third place in the MOL.
The 1961 Wilmington Quakers football team represented Wilmington College of Wilmington, Ohio. In their second year under head coach C. W. Van Schoyck, the team compiled a 0–8 record (0–5 against MOL opponents) and finished in last place in the MOL.