Duquesne Dukes Fan Forum / Merrimack game may be for the championship this week

**Posted by coffee** 9/26/2021 8:35 am

Merrimack is BY FAR the most impressive NEC opponent so far this year. They whipped Holy Cross and Delaware St. among others and almost beat Maine. Holy Cross beat FBS UConn.

Last edited by coffee (9/26/2021 9:09 am)

**Posted by Judge Jack McVay Jr** 9/26/2021 5:27 pm

Agree with you coffee and I think Chestnut out for season from sacred heart so this is a big one!

**Posted by A83** 9/27/2021 9:01 am

It does not matter. Merrimack is ineligible for the title and bid until 2023. So there would be no head to head tiebreaker with them.

Last edited by A83 (9/27/2021 9:35 am)

**Posted by Judge Jack McVay Jr** 9/27/2021 5:16 pm

Thanks for sharing this A83 and I didn't know that! Does change how I look at the game then in terms of conference significance! Obviously we will want to win it and they did beat holy cross who I think beat Army if I am not mistaken but definitely change conference perspective! Thanks for sharing

**Posted by coffee** 9/28/2021 3:15 am

Does this still count as a conference win or loss?

**Posted by A83** 9/28/2021 7:06 am

Yes it does count in conference standings because they are playing full conference schedule. But they can’t get the auto bid. So if DU ends up tied with them for first at end of season, DU would get the auto bid even if they Lise on Saturday.

**Posted by A83** 9/28/2021 7:08 am

Judge Jack McVay Jr wrote:
Thanks for sharing this A83 and I didn't know that! Does change how I look at the game then in terms of conference significance! Obviously we will want to win it and they did beat holy cross who I think beat Army if I am not mistaken but definitely change conference perspective! Thanks for sharing

It counts in conference standings but the game is less important because they can’t get auto bid.

**Posted by townsonkid** 9/28/2021 1:42 pm

It should still be a conference W or L. And if they are any good, would want that W, maybe they beat another team in the hunt for the bid. Right?
Regardless, win them all.

**Posted by A83** 9/28/2021 1:56 pm

townsonkid wrote:
It should still be a conference W or L. And if they are any good, would want that W, maybe they beat another team in the hunt for the bid. Right?
Regardless, win them all.

I think wanting to win is rather obvious. I said twice it counts in conference standings. The thread title said it may be for the championship. Since Merrimack can’t play for the championship, it won’t be.

The NEC almost always comes down to a two team tie for first with the head to head winner taking the auto bid. That can’t happen if one of the teams is Merrimack.