Kirk Ferentz breaks down keys to Iowa’s team culture
As Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa Hawkeyes prepare for Michigan in the Big Ten title game, they’re relying on their culture to propel them forward.
Ferentz has built the Hawkeyes into a well-oiled machine. Iowa has a shot at shocking the college football world in Indianapolis. Ahead of the showdown, Ferentz elaborated on how the Hawkeyes have made it to this point.
“It really comes back to having the right guys on your team. … Maturity is people too. I think back to last year, which was a really tough year. It was a challenging year for all of us. Really proud of that team, and the way they fought through. Sitting there 3-4, and everybody was probably dumping on us a little bit. That’s not a new phenomenon. We had two choices last year, and the guys chose the right path,” Ferentz explained. “But I bring that up in that clearly some of the younger guys on our team were paying attention to the older guys. … You’ve got a good group of guys that really knew how to act and how to do things. Clearly, the guys that have stepped up this year, that maybe weren’t as prominent last year as leaders, they were watching those guys.
“That’s something I talk about all the time. If you want to be good, look and see what good people are doing, whatever the profession may be, or whatever the vocation may be. That goes beyond playing. Part of it is playing. But how they train. The mental side. How do they handle things that way? We’ve bee fortunate. We’ve had a lot of guys teaching each other a little bit.”
Will culture be enough to propel Iowa to victory? It remains to be seen, but don’t count the Hawkeyes out on Saturday.
Kirk Ferentz on chance to ‘screw things up’ by beating Michigan: ‘Might be kind of funny’
Kirk Ferentz and the Iowa Hawkeyes enjoyed another successful season, and now they’re facing Michigan in the Big Ten title game.
Coming off a huge victory over Ohio State, many are expecting the Wolverines to take care of Iowa and advance to the College Football Playoff. Heck, even FOX’s broadcasting team last weekend called the showdown between Michigan and the Buckeyes “the first College Football Playoff game,” overlooking whatever happens in Indianapolis.
Ahead of the showdown, Ferentz knows Iowa isn’t headed to the College Football Playoff regardless. However, it would be glorious to ruin Michigan’s plans, and be crowned Big Ten champions in the process.
“We’re 0-2 over there. Both teams have gone on to the College Football Playoff,” Ferentz said, regarding Lucas Oil Stadium hosting the Big Ten title game. “That’s kind of a commonality too. When you get to this game, you’re going to be playing somebody who if they’re victorious, that’s where they’re going.
“If we win, that would really screw things up, I’m guessing. Might be kind of funny actually.”
Anything can happen on that football field. Iowa may be huge underdogs, but Kirk Ferentz will have the Hawkeyes roaring and ready to rock when the time comes against the Wolverines.