Despite not being favored in the Cricket Celebration Bowl, South Carolina State — the MEAC champion — toppled 11-1 Jackson State to finish on top of the final 2021 Ultimate HBCU Sports Football Poll.
| Rank | Team | Prev Rank | Record |
| 1 | South Carolina State | 5 | 7-5 |
| 2 | Jackson State | 1 | 11-2 |
| 3 | Florida A&M | 2 | 9-3 |
| 4 | Bowie State | 3 | 12-2 |
| 5 | Alabama A&M | 4 | 7-3 |
| 6 | Savannah State | 6 | 8-2 |
| 7 | Fayetteville State | 7 | 8-1 |
| 8 | Albany State | 8 | 10-2 |
| 9 | Miles | 9 | 6-5 |
| 10 | Kentucky State | 10 | 7-4 |
| 11 | North Carolina Central | 11 | 6-5 |
| 12 | Alcorn State | 12 | 6-4 |
| 13 | Delaware State | 13 | 6-5 |
| 14 | Prairie View | 14 | 7-5 |
| 15 | Norfolk State | 15 | 6-5 |
| 16 | Virginia Union | 16 | 5-4 |
| 17 | Chowan | 17 | 6-3 |
| 18 | Lane | 8 | 6-4 |
| 19 | Shaw | 19 | 6-4 |
| 20 | Tennessee State | 20 | 5-6 |
| 21 | North Carolina A&T | 21 | 5-6 |
| 22 | Langston | 22 | 7-3 |
| 23 | Southern | 23 | 4-6 |
| 24 | Bluefield State | 24 | 4-3 |
| 25 | Hampton | 25 | 5-6 |
