The 2012 Incarnate Word Cardinals football team represented the University of the Incarnate Word in the 2012 NCAA Division II football season. This was be the Cardinals' final season in the Lone Star Conference as they began the transition to the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS) in 2013. Home games were played at Gayle and Tom Benson Stadium. They finished the season 2–9, 1–7 in Lone Star play to finish in a tie for eighth place.