Kirk Ferentz relishes opportunities as underdog

Going into the Big Ten Championship Game, Iowa is an underdog against Michigan and the Hawkeyes know it. Still, it’s an opportunity that head coach Kirk Ferentz relishes.

Ferentz explained that this is how the program has been for as long as he can remember and that it’s something that both he and the program has always had to embrace.

“It’s kind of the way we are and have been for as long as I’ve been involved in the program, even in the ’80s,” Kirk Ferentz said. “It’s the way it is. It’s the way it is and that’s okay. When you play in real big games, chances are we’re going to be — I say “big games,” like a big bowl game or a championship game like this — I think historically that has kind of been the way Iowa is.”

Ultimately, for Iowa, if the Hawkeyes don’t embrace being an underdog, Kirk Ferentz knows that they’ll end up losing.

“If you don’t embrace it, you’re probably going to be a loser. You may be a loser anyway or come out losing the game — not be a loser but lose the game. You have to relish the opportunity, the challenge, and understand just how significant the challenge is going to be and appreciate that and respect it,” Ferentz said.

“That’s the great thing about sports, too. You just never know what’s going to happen. That’s why all the prognosticists, they get a little frustrated because you can’t predict even a regular season 100 percent, because people are people and a lot that could happen.”

Michigan opened as a 21.5-point favorite over Iowa. The point total was also initially 35.5 total points.

Iowa is rarely the favorite in big games, but the Hawkeyes are also rarely a Cinderella-type team that fans nationally get behind. Instead, it often faces criticism for things like its style of play. Thinking about why, Kirk Ferentz has some idea but ultimately doesn’t know why that is.

“People love not to love us. That’s okay. It is what it is. I don’t know. Maybe it’s me. I don’t know, I think I’m a decent person. I don’t know. But whatever. We don’t broadcast. We’ve had some success, but we just try and let our play speak for itself and I’m extremely proud and I think all our players are proud of what we’ve done here the last three, four, five years. If you look at the numbers, they’re not bad. I think there’s also a stylistic part and maybe we’re not pretty enough or whatever it may be,” Ferentz said.

“The objective is to win games. Try to find a way to win, that’s what you try to do. Our guys have done a pretty good job of that. So, we’re proud of what we’ve done and proud to have earned our way into this thing. And now we have a hell of a challenge on our hands. I don’t know why. We’ve got great colors. Iowa’s easy to spell. So, I don’t know. That’s a good question.”

Kirk Ferentz on chance to ‘screw things up’ by beating Michigan

Michigan is expecting to make the College Football Playoff and make a run at a national championship this season. That starts with beating Iowa in the Big Ten Championship Game. Of course, Iowa and Kirk Ferentz could mess that up for the Wolverines.

“We’re 0-2 over there. Both teams have gone on to the College Football Playoff. 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,” Ferentz said.

“If we win, that would really screw things up, I’m guessing. Might be kind of funny actually.”