Conference play began on October 9 with Georgia shutting out Clemson 24–0 in Athens.
After the Sewanee game, Coach R. G. Acton's Vanderbilt Commodores claimed the program's first ever conference title.
[3] The 1897 season was one in which a member school, Tulane University, was barred from intercollegiate football participation by SIAA President, Dr. Dudley.
This was part of a sanction handed down in response to the LSU game the previous season in which Tulane was forced to forfeit for having fielded an ineligible player.
[4][5] The season was also notable for the game Virginia played against Georgia, featuring the death of Richard Von Albade Gammon.