---
"title": "The 2021 preseason Ultimate HBCU Sports Football Poll features a familiar squad at the top"
"description": "The best team over the last half-decade in Black college football didn’t have an opportunity to defend its championship due to a pandemic-related stoppage in 2020 and a subsequent move to a new conference. Going into the 2021 fall season, the Aggies return to the field after more than 600 days with the same high-level […]"
"date": "2021-08-01"
"authors":
  -
    "name": "HBCU Sports"
"url": "https://hbcusports.com/2021/08/01/the-2021-preseason-hbcu-sports-ultimate-football-poll-features-a-familiar-squad-at-the-top/"
"categories":
  - "Football"
  - "News"
"tags":
  - "Alabama A&M"
  - "Alcorn State"
  - "Arkansas-Pine Bluff"
  - "Bethune-Cookman"
  - "Florida A&M"
  - "Jackson State"
  - "Kentucky State"
  - "Norfolk State"
  - "North Carolina A&T"
  - "North Carolina Central"
  - "Southern"
  - "Tennessee State"
---

# The 2021 preseason Ultimate HBCU Sports Football Poll features a familiar squad at the top

The best team over the last half-decade in Black college football didn’t have an opportunity to defend its championship due to a pandemic-related stoppage in 2020 and a subsequent move to a new conference. Going into the 2021 fall season, the Aggies return to the field after more than 600 days with the same high-level talent that is expected to contend for an FCS postseason spot in a strong Big South. While Alcorn State, Jackson State, Florida A&M, and HBCU national champion Alabama A&M could claim the No. 1 spot by season’s end, North Carolina A&T, for now, sits atop the preseason HBCU Sports Ultimate Football Poll. **Also read: [North Carolina A&T on mission not to be forgotten as still dominant program](https://hbcusports.com/2021/07/27/north-carolina-at-on-mission-not-to-be-forgotten-as-still-dominant-program/)** 1. North Carolina A&T 2. Alcorn State 3. Jackson State 4. Florida A&M 5. Alabama A&M 6. Southern 7. South Carolina State 8. Arkansas-Pine Bluff 9. Norfolk State 10. North Carolina Central 11. Bethune Cookman 12. Alabama State 13. Tennessee State 14. Prairie View 15. Grambling State 16. Bowie State 17. Savannah State 18. Miles 19. Tuskegee 20. Fayetteville State 21. Chowan 22. Shaw 23. Albany State 24. Fort Valley State 25. Virginia State