Kirk Ferentz
Iowa has excelled as an underdog under coach Kirk Ferentz and it is a position the Hawkeyes will become accustomed to over the final month of the season. Coming off their bye week the Hawkeyes take a 5-3 record to 20th ranked Penn State Saturday night.
“I would rather be undefeated like we were last year”, said Ferentz. “That was more fun but the bottom line is there are still four games left to play. That is what it gets down to and really it is what we do every day that is going to define this season for us.”
The Hawkeyes will face three ranked foes in the final four games of the season.
Saturdays game will mark the resumption of a series that was interrupted by conference expansion. The teams played 12 times during a 14 year span but have not met since a 38-14 Penn State victory in 2012.
“That is the one downside of expansion”, added Ferentz. “It really does seem strange playing Penn State again. It seems like forever.”