The 2012 Northern Colorado Bears football team represented the University of Northern Colorado in the 2012 NCAA Division I FCS football season.

They were led by second-year head coach Earnest Collins Jr. and played their home games at Nottingham Field.

They are a member of the Big Sky Conference.

Despite Sacramento State also being a member of the Big Sky, their meeting on September 15 was considered a non-conference game.

The win is the Bears first win since the final game of the 2010 season against Portland State, a span of 12 games.