By Pat Harty

IOWA CITY, Iowa – Assuming he is on the sideline and calling plays, my hope is that Brian Ferentz throws caution to the wind and goes down swinging in the Citrus Bowl.

My hope is that he plays to win and not to lose against Tennessee on New Year’s Day in Orlando, Florida.

My hope is that he convinces his father, Iowa head coach Kirk Ferentz, to be less fearful about making mistakes from aggressive play calling.

My hope is that he takes more chances down field against a Tennessee secondary that will be without six players, including three that have made significant contributions.

My hope is that if starting quarterback Deacon Hill struggles, Brian Ferentz can convince his father to give freshman Marco Lainez a chance, maybe just a series or two to see if it could provide a spark.

My hope is that Brian Ferentz makes it a priority to get the ball to emerging receiver Kaleb Brown in space.

My hope is that if Iowa fails to complete a pass on first down that it doesn’t automatically mean that a running play will be called on second down.

If ever there were a time for Brian Ferentz to think outside the box, this is it, his final game as his father’s offensive coordinator.

What does Brian Ferentz have to lose besides a game that will have no impact on whether he keeps his job because that decision already has been made?

This could be wishful thinking since Kirk Ferentz has the final say on everything.

But with how poorly the offense has performed while using a conservative and safe strategy, why not change things up a little bit?

Because really, could it be any worse?

Kirk Ferentz probably would say yes from a turnover standpoint because he believes that taking too many chances on offense is risky and dangerous.

But there have been times this season when Deacon Hill has been a turnover machine, especially with fumbles in the pocket.

It just seems that with nearly a month to prepare, and with how poorly the offense has performed, that a different approach might be the way to go against a depleted opponent.

That defies everything Kirk Ferentz stands for as a head coach, but this is also a unique situation.

This isn’t to say that Iowa should come out in a spread offense and throw 40 to 50 times because that just isn’t realistic or necessary.

But to just keep doing the same things over and over on offense and hoping for different results is Iowa’s version of insanity.

Kirk Ferentz believes strongly in playing complementary football in which offense, defense and special teams feed off each other.

And while that approach has worked for him over a long period of time, the offense hasn’t come close to doing its part this season.

Many would say that Iowa has won 10 games this season in spite of the offense.

So again, let her rip.

Now of course, it would sure help if Iowa could run the ball because then everything else becomes easier on offense.

Kirk Ferentz met with the media on Thursday in Orlando and said he appreciates that Brian Ferentz has stayed the course since learning that he would be fired once the season ends.

Kirk Ferentz said his son has been fully invested and a great staff member, and that being with the team for one final game is important to Brian Ferentz.

However, Kirk Ferentz also has said that he would encourage his son to move on if another job were to become available prior to the bowl game.

But with the Citrus Bowl in just four days, it appears that Brian Ferentz will finish what he started this season.

Brian Ferentz is 40 years old and has spent nearly half of his life either as an Iowa player or assistant coach.

So, for it to end this way is obviously devastating for the Ferentz family.

But there is one last chance for father and son to make a statement and show that the offense can do its part.

It’s just hard to believe it’ll happen by continuing to use the same play-not-to-lose approach.

That approach has worked for the most part against average to mediocre opponents, and maybe Tennessee (8-4) is just average due to so many personnel losses.

But this is Brian Ferentz’s last stand as a Hawkeye and he should treat it that way by being more aggressive as a play caller.