The Iowa football team met with media on Tuesday.
By Danny Payne | [email protected]
The Iowa football team met with the media Tuesday and had plenty to say by way of the team’s 8-0 start, the first College Football Playoff poll of the season, and injuries. Let’s jump right in.
Iowa is ranked No. 9 in the first College Football Playoff Poll of the 2015 season. If the season were to end today, (it doesn’t, by the way, there are still four weeks left) Iowa would not be in the playoffs. No. 1 Clemson would play No. 4 Alabama and the winner would play the victor of No. 2 LSU and No. 3 Ohio State. Michigan State is the other Big Ten team in the top 10 at No. 7.
However, Iowa cares not for your rankings, College Football Playoff Committee.
“Not really [worried about it], honestly,” wide receiver Tevaun Smith said. “We’re just focused on Indiana. I’m not really curious, but I guess it’ll be fun to watch, but personally I don’t really care about it.”
The vast consensus among Iowa players and coaches was similar to Smith’s beliefs. Most said they are interested to see how the first rankings shake out, but they realize rankings don’t mean anything until after the season.
However, don’t think the Hawks aren’t taking their consideration as an honor.
“I’m not against it. Don’t get me wrong,” head coach Kirk Ferentz said. “That comes with winning. You learn that in third grade. The better you do, the more people are interested typically. In sports, that’s for sure the deal. For us it’s about how we’re pursuing it.“
Beathard’s health
Over the past few weeks, C.J. Beathard has answered numerous questions every time he’s talked to the media about his health. Dealing with a nagging groin injury, the quarterback won’t be at 100 percent the rest of the season.
Instead, the junior will choose his spots to be mobile over the course of the game based primarily on how he feels at a given juncture.
“Obviously, there were times in the [Maryland] game where I wish I could have tucked it down and ran it,” Beathard said. “A couple times I did do that, it didn’t feel right. I got down a couple times, and I just didn’t feel full speed. It’s frustrating, but it’s just how it is right now.”
However, Beathard is humorous about his status, and he has become a professional at answering injury questions.
“It’s been three and a half weeks I’ve been answering these questions,” Beathard said with a smile. “It’s kind of routine now. I know how to answer these questions. It’s kind of the same as it’s been, and yeah.”
Personnel updates
In other injury news, Ferentz gave health updates on several players, including Nate Meier, Jordan Canzeri, and Ike Boettger.
Meier, who was seen wearing an arm sling after Iowa’s win over Maryland, is not expected to miss any time, Ferentz said. The head coach called him a tough guy and said an MRI came back negative.
Canzeri and Boettger aren’t expected to play when the Hawkeyes travel to Indiana Saturday, but they both could make the trip.
Freshman quarterback and Dowling product Ryan Boyle did not dress for the Maryland game because he “didn’t meet the criteria” to do so against the Terrapins.
“Dressing is a privilege,” Ferentz said. “Our guys earn the right to dress. Simple as that. We have criteria you have to meet every week to get there. If guys don’t meet that criteria, they don’t dress.”
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