Three days after his Iowa team was stunned at home against FCS-powerhouse North Dakota State, Kirk Ferentz was asked to assess the mood of his players.

"It was pretty quiet on Sunday, as you might well imagine, and it should be,'' Ferentz said. "I mean, everybody invests a lot and everybody works hard, and our fans are disappointed certainly, a lot of people were disappointed. Nobody is more disappointed than the players and the coaches. It's what we do, or at least that's a big part of what we do.

"You're affected by it, but then the big thing about any time you get disappointment in sports or life you've got to move on at some point, and in sports and football, that starts Monday morning. You've got to push through it and start your preparation for the next team because we're all on the clock. Everybody is on the clock, and if you're wasting time having a pity party, it really doesn't help you much more moving forward.''

The Hawkeyes will look to bounce back Saturday, when they arrive at Rutgers for a 12 p.m. kickoff. Ferentz has his own opinion on how his team handled the adversity that comes with falling out of The Associated Press Top 25, but we went looking for more insight on what kind of Big Ten squad will be heading to Piscataway on Saturday.

So we reached out to Jeremiah Davis, a sports reporter who covers Ferentz and Co. for The Gazette of Iowa. He was receptive enough to answer a few pressing questions, so give him a follow on Twitter and read his advance coverage on the Rutgers-Iowa game.

Q: The old adage is a good team is always more dangerous coming off losses. Should Rutgers expect an Iowa team that's loaded for bear so to speak? What is the mood of the team coming off the North Dakota State upset and is this still one of the Big Ten West Division contenders?

Davis: I don't think there's any question Iowa will come to Piscataway with a sense of purpose - one that will feel very different than had they beat NDSU. Having to watch the NDSU film and answer questions as to why they didn't make easily makeable plays is frustrating, and I'd expect them to play in a way that proves to themselves last week was the exception. Iowa certainly is still a contender for the Big Ten West, but the Hawkeyes have to fix the run-stopping and pass-blocking issues to do it.

Q: Chris Ash is an Iowa native. Growing up in Ottumwa, he says he rooted for Hayden Fry's Hawkeyes teams as a kid. Is Chris Ash a known entity out there? What is the reaction to him coaching against Iowa, and is he a storyline heading into this game?

Davis: I wouldn't say he's "known" in the sense that Hawkeye fans are well-aware of him, but he is a familiar name across the state given his time on Dan McCarney's staff at Iowa State. His time with the Cyclones, as well as his other two Big Ten stops means Iowa coaches know him well, though. I think people are interested in the connections he has to Iowa, but also his staff. Jay Niemann coaching against his son is a cool storyline people have paid attention to in addition to the Ash angle.

Q: Chris Ash has said Iowa is one of the Big Ten programs he wants to model Rutgers after. To many observers, Iowa is perceived to be a perennial bowl-qualifying program that is capable of producing a magical season every few years. Many Rutgers fans would sign for just that. Why do you believe that Iowa has been able to produce consistently good results through the years?

Davis: I think there are many programs currently struggling whose fans would absolutely sign on for that, too, so Rutgers fans aren't alone. I think Iowa has been consistent because of its continuity. Kirk Ferentz has been in charge since 1999, and has had Phil Parker as a defensive coach that entire time. He's also had strength and conditioning coach Chris Doyle that entire time as well. And for better or worse (depending on the Iowa fan you ask) Ken O'Keefe was offensive coordinator from 1999-2011 before Greg Davis took over. Common agendas in philosophy and, most importantly, recruiting, brought players in that fit what they've wanted to do.

Q: C.J. Beathard seemingly came out of nowhere to become one of the Big Ten's elite quarterbacks last season. Was that ascension expected and what kind of quarterback should Rutgers expect on Saturday?

Davis: I wouldn't say "expected" but the flashes he showed when splitting time with Jake Rudock two years ago certainly pointed to some outstanding potential. I think what was surprising was the consistency he showed while dealing with multiple injuries. His toughness was on display many times. And while that might sound like a cliche, it speaks to the mentality he plays with - a reckless abandon, of sorts - that makes him the player he is. Rutgers should expect a consistent and heady player who doesn't make a ton of mistakes, and won't hesitate to put his body on the line for a big play.

Q: Akrum Wadley was a two-star recruit out of Newark who was recruited to Iowa as part of the 2013 recruiting class by Darrell Wilson -- who, incidentally, became a Rutgers assistant not long after -- and he clearly has out-played his recruiting rankings. How has he grown through the years and what kind of improvement has he shown after averaging 6.0 yards-per-carry and scoring seven touchdowns in limited action last season?

Davis: There's a lot that goes into feeling looked over, right? When the school in your backyard doesn't want you or doesn't think you're worthy, that's a powerful chip on your shoulder. He ran with that kind of purpose last year, and did in the first two games of this season. He's worked into being more than just a speed back, too. His ability between the tackles has greatly improved, as has his vision. For whatever reason (a sore knee, the way the game played out) he didn't see many carries last week, but should have plenty on Saturday.

Q: Let's face it: Iowa is a two-touchdown favorite for a reason. What would need to happen for Rutgers to upset Iowa?

Davis: For Rutgers to pull off the upset, it would have to drastically improve its pass rush and throw C.J. Beathard off his rhythm and into turnovers. On the flip side, an all-world day running the ball, and some (more) big plays and a big day from Janarian Grant are likely a must. When Iowa gets to set the tone and the pace, it takes a stranglehold on the game. Throwing that off would be goal No. 1.

Keith Sargeant may be reached at ksargeant@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @KSargeantNJ. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.