Kirk Ferentz preaches a one-game-at-a-time approach perhaps more than anyone in college football. He admits it’s boring, but that mindset is what he credits to Iowa’s unbeaten start.

He’s maintained the belief that if the Hawkeyes focus on taking care of their own business, the rest will work itself out. And by the rest, he means getting into the College Football Playoff.

Before Tuesday, there was talk as to whether or not an unbeaten Iowa team would even get into the top four. After all, the selection committee only had the Hawkeyes at No. 9 last week and with only one remaining quality opponent, it wasn’t that far-fetched to think that Iowa’s perceived weak strength of schedule — which it isn’t — would hurt come playoff time.

Well, Tuesday changed all of that.

With the news that Iowa jumped to the No. 5 spot in the College Football Playoff poll, it solidified what Ferentz believed to be true. His team still controls its own destiny.

When asked about the unbeaten Hawkeyes on ESPN’s weekly selection show, Kirk Herbstreit echoed Ferentz’s thoughts.

“Their fan base maybe got a hold of the committee because they have been very very frustrated with a lot of people not giving this team the recognition they deserve,” Herbstreit said. “This is huge news because if you sit and look right now with the schedule they have, they have a big opportunity in front of them to take care of business in the regular season then you’re thinking, how can they move into that top four?

“They play Ohio State. And if Ohio State beats Michigan State and Michigan, there’s Ohio State sitting in the top four. That would give the Hawkeyes — whether you agree or disagree — based on where the committee is evaluating them right now, if Iowa wins out, they don’t need to worry about you, or me, or anybody else. It’s in front of them.”

Herbstreit was one of the national voices that shared the lack of respect for the Hawkeyes. He went on College GameDay on Saturday to say that even at 8-0, Iowa still wasn’t getting the recognition it deserved.

Others, however, did not agree with Iowa’s top-five spot. National college football personalities like Paul Finebaum were left scratching their heads.

“Where in the world does this committee come up with the logic to put Iowa at No. 5?” he said on Tuesday. “The logic of that has just completely lost me. I’m sorry.”

But the reality is, Iowa has road wins against two teams in the top 25, which no other unbeaten team can claim. But even if their is a strength of schedule argument against Iowa to end the regular season, it’ll will be out the window if it runs the table and wins the B1G Championship.

That, as Herbstreit said, is all Iowa can ask for.

“If Iowa wins out, they will be one of the four teams,” he said. “It’s as simple as that.”