The 1981 San Jose State Spartans football team represented San Jose State University during the 1981 NCAA Division I-A football season as a member of the Pacific Coast Athletic Association.

[note 1] Led by third-year head coach Jack Elway, they played home games at Spartan Stadium in San Jose, California.

The Spartans were champions of the PCAA, with a record of nine wins and three losses (9–3, 5–0 PCAA), and qualified for the initial California Bowl against the Mid-American Conference (MAC) champion Toledo Rockets.

The California Bowl was played at Bulldog Stadium in Fresno, and Toledo won 27–25 with a late field goal.

[5] The Spartan offense was led by quarterback Steve Clarkson, running back Gerald Willhite, and wide receiver Tim Kearse.