With several HBCUs either playing for a postseason berth or competing for a conference championship, the battle for the top spot in the Ultimate HBCU Sports Football Poll has yet to be decided.
| Rank | Team | Prev Rank | Record |
| 1 | Jackson State | 1 | 10-1 |
| 2 | Florida A&M | 2 | 9-2 |
| 3 | Bowie State | 3 | 11-1 |
| 4 | Alabama A&M | 6 | 7-3 |
| 5 | Prairie View | 4 | 7-3 |
| 6 | South Carolina State | 15 | 6-5 |
| 7 | Savannah State | 7 | 8-2 |
| 8 | Fayetteville State | 10 | 8-1 |
| 9 | Albany State | 5 | 10-2 |
| 10 | Miles | 11 | 6-5 |
| 11 | Kentucky State | 12 | 7-4 |
| 12 | North Carolina Central | 16 | 6-5 |
| 13 | Alcorn State | 8 | 6-4 |
| 14 | Delaware State | 19 | 5-6 |
| 15 | Norfolk State | 9 | 6-5 |
| 16 | Virginia Union | 13 | 5-4 |
| 17 | Chowan | 15 | 6-3 |
| 18 | Lane | 21 | 6-4 |
| 19 | Shaw | 23 | 6-4 |
| 20 | Tennessee State | 18 | 5-6 |
| 21 | North Carolina A&T | 17 | 5-6 |
| 22 | Langston | 24 | 7-3 |
| 23 | Southern | 20 | 4-6 |
| 24 | Bluefield State | 25 | 4-3 |
| 25 | Hampton | 22 | 5-6 |
