| 9/1/2012 | Florida A&M (4-7) | 14 | at | Tennessee State | 17 | MEAC | ||
| 9/8/2012 | Jackson State (7-5) | 12 | vs | Tennessee State | 38 | Memphis TN | SWAC | |
| 9/15/2012 | Austin Peay (2-9,1-7) | 14 | at | Tennessee State | 34 | |||
| 9/22/2012 | Tennessee State | 21 | at | Bethune-Cookman (9-3) | 14 | at MEAC | ||
| 9/29/2012 | Ark Pine Bluff (10-2) | 13 | at | Tennessee State | 40 | SWAC | ||
| 10/6/2012 | Eastern Kentucky (8-3,6-2) | 20 | at | Tennessee State | 23 | |||
| 10/13/2012 | Tennessee State | 40 | at | SE Missouri State (3-8,2-6) | 28 | |||
| 10/20/2012 | Tennessee State | 28 | at | Jacksonville State (6-5,5-3) | 31 | OT | ||
| 10/27/2012 | Tennessee Tech (3-8,1-7) | 21 | at | Tennessee State | 22 | |||
| 11/3/2012 | Tennessee State | 28 | at | Murray State (5-6,4-4) | 49 | |||
| 11/17/2012 | Tennessee State | 26 | at | Tennessee-Martin (8-3,6-2) | 35 |
| vs Tennessee State | vs Other Opponents | Tennessee State compared to OOs | |
| Record: | 3-8 | 62-51 | |
| Points Scored: | 22.82 | 29.28 | 6.46 |
| Points Allowed: | 28.82 | 29.24 | -0.42 |
| Margin: | -6.00 | 0.04 | 6.04 |
| Total Points: | 51.64 | 58.52 | -6.88 |