The #7th ranked North Carolina A&T Aggies won the game, beating #13th ranked Grambling State Tigers by the score of 21–14, claiming the 2017 black college football national championship The participants for the game are based upon the final regular season standings which determine the MEAC football champion and the SWAC football championship Game determining the SWAC representative.
[5] A&T earned their bowl invitation by going on an 11–0 undefeated regular season campaign, with key victories over in-state FBS Charlotte; perennial conference contenders Bethune–Cookman and arch rival North Carolina Central.
The Tigers went 11–1 and 8–0 in conference with key victories over in-state FCS opponent Northwestern State and arch rival Southern in the 2017 Bayou Classic.
[6] Grambling's lone regular season loss came at the hands of In-state FBS Tulane.
Pregame media coverage of the game focused the similarities between Grambling and North Carolina A&T, and the shared history between the two programs.
[7] Brodrick Fobbs became the head coach of Grambling following a 1–11 2013 which saw a players boycott that garnered national media attention.
Both the Aggies and Tigers are led by quarterbacks who won their conference's Offensive Player of the Year awards.
[10] A&T's Running Back Marquell Cartwright and Cornerback Franklin "Mac" McCain III were named offensive and defensive most valuable players.