Ferentz Jokes Iowa Could Be Overlooked in CFP Rankings
Iowa coach Kirk Ferentz joked on November 3 that the College Football Playoff committee might favor conferences carried by ESPN when it releases its first rankings. The 6-2 Hawkeyes are ranked No. 21 in the AP poll.
Ferentz said he was focused on preparing Iowa for its game against Northwestern on Saturday, rather than anticipating the first College Football Playoff rankings, due out Tuesday night. But when asked whether he would follow them, he poked fun at the relationship between ESPN and the playoff selection process.
The coach suggested that ESPN tends to promote sports and conferences it carries, and joked that Iowa might be disadvantaged because the Big Ten is associated with other broadcasters. The Big Ten’s games are shown across networks including FOX, CBS and NBC, while some are streamed on Peacock.
Iowa enters the rankings release at 6-2 and No. 21 in the AP poll. The Hawkeyes opened the season with four wins, then lost to Ohio State on October 3 and Minnesota on October 24. They responded on Saturday with a 30-0 home victory over Wisconsin, which was ranked No. 25 at the time.
The initial playoff field includes 12 teams, and Iowa is not expected to appear in it. Winning its remaining games could still put the Hawkeyes in contention for an at-large place, depending on the committee’s choices. Ferentz said he was not overly concerned with the rankings.