The Spotlight Dance: Iowa vs. the road ahead

Not to alarm anyone, but the Hawkeyes under coach Kirk Ferentz are 6-10 at the four particular Big Ten stops that lie ahead of them. Looking for trends? Iowa has dropped its last four games at these places, too.

"It's certainly significant," Ferentz said Tuesday. "But, I would think it would be a mistake to go much beyond that because there's only so much you can do about it or say about it. It helps if your team is a little bit more mature, has some experience, and it helps if you have concentration and mental toughness, too.

"Those things are important if you're going to win on the road. We have one down and four to go and they're all going to be very difficult."

You heard the man. It's going to be very difficult.

@ Penn State

During the Ferentz era: The Hawkeyes are 3-1 at Beaver Stadium under Ferentz, including three straight victories, two of which came in overtime.

The last time in State College . . . Senior Rodney Kinlaw rushed for 168 yards on 28 carries to lead the charge for the Nittany Lions in a 27-7 victory in 2007. PSU broke a five-game losing streak against Iowa, including a streak of four straight at Beaver Stadium.

At the time, it was Iowa's eighth consecutive Big Ten loss. On the bright side, Iowa is 9-4 in the Big Ten since.

@ Wisconsin

During the Ferentz era: Iowa is 3-2 against the Badgers in Camp Randall Stadium. The Hawkeyes had a two-game winning streak snapped their in 2007.

The last time in Madison . . . The Badgers used an 11-play, 68-yard drive in the fourth quarter to snuff out the Hawkeyes, 17-13, in 2007. Tight end Tony Moeaki certainly remembers this night. He suffered a dislocated elbow that knocked him out for the season. He also broke a wrist, all on the same play.

@ Michigan State

During the Ferentz era: Iowa is 0-for-4 with losses at Spartan Stadium ranging from 49-3 to last year's 16-13.

The last time in East Lansing . . . This one is still fresh. Linebacker Adam Decker shot a gap on fourth-and-inches on Michigan State's 21 and belted running back Shonn Greene for a 3-yard loss with 2:10 left in the game, sealing the victory for the Spartans. The replay showed that someone Iowa went the wrong way. Ferentz has never confirmed this, however.

@ Ohio State

During the Ferentz era: Iowa is 0-3 at Ohio Stadium, or, as you know it, the “Horseshoe.” The closest was 19-10 in 2003. Iowa has been outscored in these three trips 91-27.

The last time in Columbus . . . The Hawkeyes fell to the No. 8 Buckeyes, 31-6, in 2005. Ferentz snorted a “Jesus Christ” over the postgame set up. Quarterback Drew Tate spiked the ball in frustration. The Iowa defense was throttled.

When he's right, he's right. It's going to be very difficult.

Has everyone seen this? The revenge vibe is certainly strong out there. Maybe a little too strong.