We are less than a month away from the start of the 2023 HBCU football season.
The season kicks off with a rematch of the 2021 Celebration Bowl when Jackson State and South Carolina State clash in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge.
While Jackson State will be beginning a new era under first-year head coach TC Taylor in a quest for a third straight SWAC title, North Carolina Central will look to build on an HBCU national championship season.
As the countdown to the start of the season wages on, here is the Ultimate Division I HBCU Sports Preseason Football Poll.
| Rank | Team | Previous Rank | 2022 record |
| 1 | North Carolina Central | 1 | 10-2 |
| 2 | Jackson State | 2 | 12-1 |
| 3 | Florida A&M | 3 | 9-2 |
| 4 | Southern | 5 | 7-5 |
| 5 | North Carolina A&T | 4 | 7-4 |
| 6 | Prairie View A&M | 7 | 6-5 |
| 7 | Howard | 6 | 5-6 |
| 8 | Alabama State | 9 | 6-5 |
| 9 | Texas Southern | 8 | 5-6 |
| 10 | Alcorn State | 10 | 5-6 |
