"I'll go on record as saying I am going to take some time and relax, and I've encouraged our players to do the same things next week," the University of Iowa football coach said. "They've earned it. It's been a grind."
But while Ferentz is kicking back and taking time to reflect on a pretty impressive season, it sounds as if other members of the school's athletic hierarchy will be working to sort out and perhaps influence the Hawkeyes' bowl fate.
"We'll be on the phone with all the bowls to try to get a sense of what all the different scenarios are," athletic director Gary Barta said after the Hawkeyes finished the regular season Saturday with a 12-0 win over Minnesota.
The scenarios probably were simplified slightly with the victory, which pushed Iowa's overall record to 10-2. But Barta said he still doubts anyone will know anything for sure before Dec. 6, when the five Bowl Championship Series games make their selections.
The Hawkeyes, ranked No. 11 in the BCS rankings, remain a viable candidate for two BCS games - the Jan. 4 Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., and the Jan. 5 Orange Bowl in Miami. If neither of those happen, they will play in either the Capital One or Outback Bowl, both Jan. 1 in Florida.
The Hawkeyes played in the Outback in Tampa last year and have been there three of the past six years, but Barta said he wasn't really sure what Iowa fans preferred.
"We've never been to the Fiesta Bowl so I know there's some intrigue there," he said. "We've been to the Orange Bowl and our fans had a great time. We've been to the Capital One Bowl and had a great time. I don't know if we have a preference."
Many national projections continue to predict an Iowa-Boise State matchup in the Fiesta Bowl, but Orange Bowl scout Larry Gautier attended Saturday's game and made it clear that more than one BCS game is eyeing the Hawkeyes.
"They are definitely on our short list," Gautier said. "We loved having them in 2002. There's nothing quite like Hawkeye Nation.
"It seems to be a very special team with some very special players," he added. "From a chemistry standpoint, it's not a shock to us that they're 10-2."
Barta said his job between now and Dec. 6 is to make sure the various bowl representatives are fully aware of what Iowa has to offer.
"They know our fans travel well to bowls and if you compare our television ratings this year they're sky high," Barta said. "If you go apples to apples and look at our television ratings against common opponents compared to other teams, we're going to win out.
"So, we have a great fan base, a great football team and high television ratings. My sales job is just to get that information out there and the BCS people will make their own decisions."
Ferentz said he really didn't have any idea whether his team was deserving of a BCS berth.
"That's for the system to decide ...'' he said. "I just know this: To win 10 games in any conference is significant.''
Some of his players are a bit more certain.
"It has to do with business and we've got one of the best fan bases around,'' defensive tackle Christian Ballard said. "People should know that.''
"I think we deserve it,'' running back Adam Robinson added. "We have played hard all year. We came away with 10 wins and that is pretty prominent. This team deserves it.''
Hawkeyes bowl possibilities
Fiesta Bowl
When: Monday, Jan. 4, 7 p.m.
Where: Glendale, Ariz.
Probable opponent: Boise State or Oklahoma State
Previous visits: None
Orange Bowl
When: Tuesday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m.
Where: Miami, Fla.
Probable opponent: Georgia Tech or Clemson
Previous visits: 2003, lost to USC
Capital One Bowl
When: Friday, Jan. 1, noon
Where: Orlando, Fla.
Probable opponent: SEC team, possibly Mississippi, LSU or Auburn
Previous visits: 2005, defeated LSU
Outback Bowl
When: Friday, Jan. 1, 10 a.m.
Where: Tampa, Fla.
Probable opponent: SEC team, possibly Mississippi, Auburn or Tennessee
Previous visits: 2004, defeated Florida; 2006, lost to Florida; 2009, defeated South Carolina
