SALT LAKE CITY — Utah moved up to a school-record No. 6 in the College Football Playoff rankings. The Utes (10-1, 7-1) climbed one spot higher this week after a 35-7 win at Arizona and Oregon’s 31-28 loss to Arizona State. They trail just No. 4 Georgia (10-1) and No. 5 Alabama (10-1) in the quest for a spot in the national semifinals.
The news, though, was met with a businesslike demeanor after practice on Tuesday.
“There is still too much that has to happen with us,” said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. “And so same stance that I had since it came out — when was it three weeks ago? — we’ve just got to focus on Colorado.”
Quarterback Tyler Huntley had a similar response, noting that it didn’t mean anything right now.
“We’ve got to win,” he said.
The Utes need a victory over the Buffaloes Saturday (5:30 p.m., Ch. 4) at Rice-Eccles Stadium to reach the Pac-12 Championship Game and a date with Oregon on Dec. 6. The Ducks fell eight spots and out of the top 10 in this week’s CFP rankings.
Undefeated Ohio State (11-0), Louisiana State (11-0) and Clemson (11-0) occupy the first top three positions. After Georgia, Alabama and Utah, the remainder of the top 10 includes: 7. Oklahoma (10-1), 8. Minnesota (10-1), 9. Baylor (10-1) and 10. Penn State (9-2).
The rankings are rounded out by: 11. Florida (9-2), 12. Wisconsin (9-2), 13. Michigan (9-2), 14. Oregon (9-2), 15. Auburn (8-3), 16. Notre Dame (9-2), 17. Iowa (8-3), 18. Memphis (10-1), 19. Cincinnati (10-1), 20. Boise State (10-1), 21. Oklahoma State (8-3), 22. USC (8-4), 23. Iowa State (7-4), 24. Virginia Tech (8-3) and 25. Appalachian State (10-1).
“If we just continue to focus on one day at a time and the task at hand, then we’ll be able to accomplish the things to accomplish. We’ll just let fate take the wheel and we’ll see what happens.” — Utah linebacker Francis Bernard
Despite the potential implications involved with the CFP rankings, Utah linebacker Francis Bernard said the Utes are focusing on other things, specifically practices leading up to game day.
“If we just continue to focus on one day at a time and the task at hand, then we’ll be able to accomplish the things to accomplish,” Bernard explained. “We’ll just let fate take the wheel and we’ll see what happens.”
Even so, Bernard admitted it was cool to see the team move up in the rankings. However, he added, it’s not affecting them at all. They’re worried about every single day and what needs to be accomplished in the moment.
“We’re worrying about Colorado and Thanksgiving before that,” said running back Zack Moss. “No, but we’re definitely worrying about Colorado though. That’s our No. 1 main goal. We understand that. If we come out there and we do our thing — if we go out and prepare the right way and come out Saturday and have the game that we want to have — everything else there will take care of itself.”
Defensive end Bradlee Anae explained that the Utes don’t really follow the rankings and such.
“It doesn’t really matter to us,” said Anae, who emphasized the importance of Pac-12 play. “This is our first and foremost goal. We’ve got the Buffaloes next first so that’s our main focus going forward.”
The next CFP rankings come out Tuesday (5 p.m., ESPN). Then comes Selection Sunday (Dec. 8, 10 a.m.) when the national semifinalists and New Year’s Six bowl berths are awarded.