Heartland Conference playoff picture

November 6, 2000

With one Saturday of games left in the 2000 Heartland Conference football schedule, the fight for the HCAC automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs has become a little clearer for BC fans. Three teams remain in contention for the right to enter the big dance that will begin on Saturday, November 18.

For Bluffton to make the playoffs, two things have to happen this weekend:
1. Bluffton has to beat Defiance.
2. Hanover has to lose at Franklin.

Bluffton's opponent this Saturday, Defiance College, controls their own fate in both the playoff picture and the HCAC title hunt. Here's a look at the scenerios following this Saturday's games:

If Hanover wins

- If Defiance beats Bluffton, Defiance goes to the playoffs (DC beat Hanover 13-7 on Oct. 7)
- If Bluffton beats Defiance, Hanover goes to the playoffs (HC beat Bluffton 24-15 on Oct. 14)

If Hanover loses and Bluffton wins

- Bluffton goes to the playoffs since Hanover and Defiance will both have two HCAC losses.

If Hanover loses and Defiance wins

- Defiance goes to the playoffs since Hanover and Bluffton will both have two HCAC losses.

So, that means that Bluffton is rooting for Franklin, Hanover is rooting for Bluffton, and Defiance is rooting for themselves.

Check out the entire tie-breaking system at the Heartland Conference tie-breaker page.