Alex Hickey: NCAA should reinstate TV bans to counter Iowa football problem
We’ve seen enough. Literally.
It’s time for someone to intervene and take Iowa football games off of American television airwaves until further notice.
Iowa’s 54-10 loss at Ohio State on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff was the final straw. Advertisers should threaten to pull their commercials if they have the misfortune of being paired with the Hawkeyes, because Brian Ferentz’s offense alienates millions of viewers.
As we saw Saturday, it doesn’t matter which of Iowa’s sorry quarterbacks is on the field. Ferentz’s playbook is even sorrier. There was a point in time where Spencer Petras and Alex Padilla had a combined 6 completions and 5 turnovers.
Petras went 6 of 14 for 49 yards with 2 interceptions and a lost fumble before his plug was mercifully pulled at halftime. Padilla went 5 of 10 for 32 yards with his own interception to contribute to the cause.
Iowa’s lone touchdown, naturally, was scored by its defense. It’s the third time this season that Iowa’s offense has failed to score a touchdown.
Anywhere else in college football, the offensive coordinator would be without a job. Well before things got to this point. But especially after getting de-pantsed and beaten with a switch on national television.
But since offensive coordinator Brian Ferentz is the son of head coach Kirk Ferentz, that option isn’t available. The elder Ferentz is the winningest coach in Iowa history and contracted with the school through 2029.
A more drastic measure must be taken. It’s time to ban the Hawkeyes from television.
