I put together a chart of Iowa’s best and worst losses. I was coming from the theory that Iowa has reached a plateau under Ferentz, and that we can never expect more from this coaching staff.
The chart is based on AP ratings not BCS as AP runs all season and the BCS doesn’t start till later in the year. I also believe that the AP is more accurate than the Coaches due to the fact that most coaches delegate filling it out to a GA.
Some here are some of my observations regarding this:
1. It is clear that Iowa has a ceiling, the coaches are only comfortable when Iowa gets so high in the rankings, usually about 7-10 is where they start being unable to handle the pressure.
2. Iowa has real problems playing to expectations, they are not good at winning games they are supposed to win.
3. Iowa likes playing from the underdog role because there is little to no pressure on them to perform.
4. There are certain teams in the Big10 that Iowa can handle and is less intimidated by these are Michigan, Michigan State and Penn St.
5. Iowa doesn’t try to win games, they try not to lose. These are not the same thing and are the reason that they have so many close games. Playing not to lose is trying to run the clock at the half instead of trying to score again.
These are fundamental issues that have existed in the program since Kirk has started coaching. Unless we expect a 70 year old man changing his philosophy, if we want to see Iowa take the next step, it is not going to be with the Ferentz system.
The chart is based on AP ratings not BCS as AP runs all season and the BCS doesn’t start till later in the year. I also believe that the AP is more accurate than the Coaches due to the fact that most coaches delegate filling it out to a GA.
| YEAR | RANKING | GAME | OPPONENT | SCORE | RANK NEXT WEEK |
| 2002 | 3 | ORANGE BOWL | #5 USC | 17-38 | 8 |
| 2005 | 8 | REG SEASON | UR ISU | 3-23 | 22 |
| 2009 | 7 | REG SEASON | UR NW | 10-17 | 15 |
| 2010 | 9 | REG SEASON | #24 ARIZONA | 27-34 | 18 |
| 2015 | 4 | BIG10 CHAMP | #5 MSU | 13-16 | 4 |
| 2021 | 2 | REG SEASON | UR PURDUE | 7-24 | 9 |
Iowa Upsets of 10 Teams Under Ferentz | |||||
| YEAR | RANKING | GAME | OPPONENT | SCORE | RANK NEXT WEEK |
| 2002 | 13 | REG SEASON | #8 MICHIGAN | 34-9 | 9 |
| 2003 | 23 | REG SEASON | #9 MICHIGAN | 30-27 | 14 |
| 2004 | 17 | REG SEASON | #9 WISCONSIN | 30-7 | 12 |
| 2008 | UR | REG SEASON | #3 PENN ST | 24-23 | UR |
| 2009 | UR | REG SEASON | #5 PENN ST | 21-10 | 13 |
| 2009 | 10 | ORANGE BOWL | #9 GA TECH | 24-14 | 7 |
| 2010 | 18 | REG SEASON | #5 MSU | 37-6 | 15 |
| 2016 | UR | REG SEASON | #2 MICHIGAN | 14-13 | 22 |
| 2017 | UR | REG SEASON | #3 OHIO ST | 55-24 | 25 |
Some here are some of my observations regarding this:
1. It is clear that Iowa has a ceiling, the coaches are only comfortable when Iowa gets so high in the rankings, usually about 7-10 is where they start being unable to handle the pressure.
2. Iowa has real problems playing to expectations, they are not good at winning games they are supposed to win.
3. Iowa likes playing from the underdog role because there is little to no pressure on them to perform.
4. There are certain teams in the Big10 that Iowa can handle and is less intimidated by these are Michigan, Michigan State and Penn St.
5. Iowa doesn’t try to win games, they try not to lose. These are not the same thing and are the reason that they have so many close games. Playing not to lose is trying to run the clock at the half instead of trying to score again.
These are fundamental issues that have existed in the program since Kirk has started coaching. Unless we expect a 70 year old man changing his philosophy, if we want to see Iowa take the next step, it is not going to be with the Ferentz system.
