Boo Corrigan explains Iowa's place in CFP Top 25 rankings

Iowa enters Week 11 ranked last in the FBS in total offense and 121st in scoring. Yet, the Hawkeyes find themselves atop the Big Ten West standings thanks to a strong defense and, of course, the nation’s leader in punt yards per game.

As of Tuesday night, Iowa can also call itself a ranked team.

The Hawkeyes checked in at No. 22 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings. Despite all their shortcomings, along with an outgoing offensive coordinator, Kirk Ferentz’s group now finds itself a top-25 program.

It seems like a surprise to see Iowa jump into the rankings. According to CFP committee chairman Boo Corrigan, there were a few reasons Iowa into the rankings — even despite the offense’s well-documented struggles.

“[A] 7-2 record, a defense that’s giving up 13 points a game,” Corrigan said on a post-reveal show teleconference. “As you look at it across the landscape, their wins over Iowa State, their win over Wisconsin. The offense has struggled. We’re all aware of that. But there’s three phases of the game, and in two of them, they’re really solid. We’re looking to do what we can to make sure that we get the right 25 teams ranked.”

It’s been an interesting season for Iowa, to say the least. The Hawkeyes are averaging just 225.3 total yards of offense and 18.4 points per game this year, but the defense has stepped up in a big way. Opponents are scoring just 13.7 points per contest while also putting up less than 300 yards per game, as well.

As a result, Iowa now has a one-game lead in the Big Ten West standings with a 4-2 record in conference play — meaning the Hawkeyes could find themselves in the league championship game in Indianapolis despite their struggles.

With three games left in the regular season, Ferentz knows how much is at stake. There’s not much room for error at this point in the season, and that was his message during his weekly press conference.

“We live in the world of razor thin,” Ferentz told reporters Tuesday. “For like 25 years, that’s where we’ve been. Actually longer than that. Everything’s important. We’re not good enough to take our eye off anything, other than the target.

“That’s really been the message. We have to really worry about getting better, doing everything we can do to get ready for Rutgers, because we’re going to have our hands full like we did last Saturday. I predict if we have three games left, it will be that way all three games.”

Now in the CFP top 25, Iowa will look to continue its quest for a trip to Lucas Oil Stadium on Saturday against Rutgers.