[2] The 2021 MAC Championship Game will feature the Kent State Golden Flashes, champions of the East Division, and the Northern Illinois Huskies, champions of the West Division.

This will be the teams' 30th all-time meeting; Northern Illinois enters the game leading the series 21–8.

[3] The teams last met earlier in the season, with Kent State defeating Northern Illinois 52–47, to break a ten-game losing streak to the Huskies;[4] prior to 2021, the teams last faced off in 2017, with Northern Illinois winning, 24–3.

[5] Kent State clinched a spot in the championship game following their win over Miami (OH).

Northern Illinois clinched a berth in the championship game following their win over Buffalo.