South Carolina State secured their Celebration Bowl berth with a win over Morgan State on November 16, clinching the MEAC title for the Bulldogs.[2] South Carolina State suffered two losses in their first three regular-season games, falling to Florida A&M and Georgia Southern. The Bulldogs then won their next seven games, improving to 8–2 overall (4–0 in conference) at the time they secured their bowl berth.
State will play the winner of the SWAC Championship Game, played on December 7 between Jackson State and Southern.