IOWA CITY - Kirk Ferentz made it clear what his plans are for Thanksgiving.

"I'll go on record as saying I am going to take some time and relax, and I've encouraged our players to do the same things next week," the University of Iowa football coach said. "They've earned it. It's been a grind."

But while Ferentz is kicking back and taking time to reflect on an impressive season, it sounds as though other members of the school's athletic hierarchy will be working to sort out and perhaps influence the Hawkeyes' bowl fate.

"We'll be on the phone with all the bowls to try to get a sense of what all the different scenarios are," athletic director Gary Barta said after the Hawkeyes finished the regular season Saturday with a 12-0 shutout of Minnesota.

The scenarios probably were simplified slightly with the victory, which pushed Iowa's overall record to 10-2. But Barta said he still doubts anyone will know anything for sure before Dec. 6, when the five Bowl Championship Series games make their selections.

The Hawkeyes remain a viable candidate for two of the BCS games - the Jan. 4 Fiesta Bowl in Glendale, Ariz., and the Jan. 5 Orange Bowl in Miami. If neither of those happens, they will play in either the Capital One or Outback Bowl, both held Jan. 1 in Florida.

The Hawkeyes played in the Outback in Tampa last year and have been there three of the past six years, but Barta said he wasn't really sure what Iowa fans preferred.

"We've never been to the Fiesta Bowl, so I know there's some intrigue there," he said. "We've been to the Orange Bowl and our fans had a great time. We've been to the Capital One Bowl and had a great time. I don't know if we have a preference."

Many national projections continue to predict an Iowa-Boise State matchup in the Fiesta Bowl, but Orange Bowl scout Larry Gautier attended Saturday's game and made it clear that more than one BCS game is eyeing the Hawkeyes.

"They are definitely on our short list," Gautier said. "We loved having them in 2002. There's nothing quite like Hawkeye Nation.

"It seems to be a very special team with some very special players," he added. "From a chemistry standpoint, it's not a shock to us that they're 10-2."

Barta said his job between now and Dec. 6 is to make sure the various bowl representatives are fully aware of what Iowa has to offer.

"They know our fans travel well to bowls, and if you compare our television ratings this year they're sky high," Barta said. "If you go apples to apples and look at our television ratings against common opponents compared to other teams, we're going to win out.

"So, we have a great fan base, a great football team and high television ratings. My sales job is just to get that information out there, and the BCS people will make their own decisions."

Ferentz said he really didn't have any idea whether his team was deserving of a BCS berth.

"That's for the system to decide ..." he said. "I just know this: To win 10 games in any conference is significant."

Bowl possibilities

Fiesta Bowl

When: Monday, Jan. 4, 7 p.m.

Where: Glendale, Ariz.

Probable opponent: Boise State or Oklahoma State

Previous visits: None

Orange Bowl

When: Tuesday, Jan. 5, 7 p.m.

Where: Miami, Fla.

Probable opponent: Georgia Tech or Clemson

Previous visits: 2003, lost to USC

Capital One Bowl

When: Friday, Jan. 1, 12 noon

Where: Orlando, Fla.

Probable opponent: SEC team, possibly Mississippi, LSU or Auburn

Previous visits: 2005, defeated LSU

Outback Bowl

When: Friday, Jan. 1, 10 a.m.

Where: Tampa, Fla.

Probable opponent: SEC team, possibly Mississippi, Auburn or Tennessee

Previous visits: 2004, defeated Florida; 2006, lost to Florida; 2009, defeated South Carolina