The 2017 McNeese State Cowboys football team represented McNeese State University in the 2017 NCAA Division I FCS football season. The Cowboys were led by second-year head coach Lance Guidry and played their home games at Cowboy Stadium. They were a member of the Southland Conference. They finished the season 9–2, 7–2 in Southland play to finish in a tie for third place. They did not receive an at-large birth to the FCS Playoffs.