Saturday's game against Michigan State is the final home game at Kinnick Stadium for the Hawkeyes this season.
For 28 seniors, it could be the last time they play football, and it will be an emotional game for players, their parents, and coaches during and after the game.
The Hawkeyes have lost back-to-back games against tough opponents, but Head Coach Kirk Ferentz believes the squad has maintained a great mindset throughout.
During Ferentz's weekly press conference, he stated that the mindset throughout the season has been to focus on the week ahead and move on from previous games.
He has been pleased with the way his team has responded after four tough losses this season and credited the senior leadership.
Ferentz also took a lot of time to praise this senior class for all they have been through, including starting their college careers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
He credited the class for being resilient through all the tough times and noted that it has definitely made them closer.
Even though the season hasn't gone the way anyone planned, Ferentz believes they still have an opportunity to finish strong, beginning with Michigan State this weekend.
Ferentz believes they did not have the right mindset against the Spartans last season and were surprised. This season, despite their record, the Hawkeyes will be better prepared by focusing only on the Spartans' previous two games.
They took Minnesota to overtime before ultimately losing in overtime, and then after a bye week, they played Penn State tough until the Nittany Lions pulled away late.
Neither the Hawkeyes nor the Spartans have had the seasons they expected, but Iowa has a chance to send the seniors out on a high note with a win on Saturday.