Iowa Head Coach Kirk Ferentz has often acknowledged the importance of rivalry games for the program and for the fans, but the coaching staff and players are not focused on them.
No one told Phil Parker that the rivalry with Iowa and Nebraska is only between the fans.
The long-time Iowa assistant coach and defensive coordinator is a man of very few words, but lets his team do the talking on the field.
Outside of the strange issues the Hawkeyes have had with tackling this season and a few late-game mishaps, the unit has been solid throughout.