Utah Utes move up to No. 5 in the national polls, but question is, who will be fifth in the next CFP rankings?
On Tuesday, the Utes, currently sixth — just two spots out of a berth in the national semifinals — and will likely move up to No. 5 in the wake of Alabama’s loss to Auburn
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Utah Utes wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25) receives a block from Utah Utes tight end Hunter Thedford (85) during the first half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. Colter Peterson, Deseret News
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah continues to climb in the polls. After capping the regular season with a 45-15 win over Colorado, the Utes (11-1, 8-1) moved up to No. 5 this week in both the Associated Press and coaches rankings. They’ll face 13th-ranked Oregon (10-2) in the Pac-12 Championship Game Friday (6 p.m., Ch. 4) at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
In repeating as Pac-12 South champs, Utah gets another crack at the conference crown. The Utes dropped a 10-3 decision to Washington in last year’s title game. Several seniors put potential NFL careers on hold to take care of “unfinished business” this season.
“It’s been a long time coming and a lot of us stayed back for this very reason,” said defensive end Bradlee Anae. “It’s just all about finishing and giving it our all.”
The Utes are riding an eight-game winning streak. They haven’t lost a game since dropping a 30-23 decision at USC on Sept. 20.
Wide receiver Demari Simpkins said they’ve been hungry ever since.
“It’s been a long time coming and a lot of us stayed back for this very reason. It’s just all about finishing and giving it our all.” — Utah defensive end Bradlee Anae
“I’d say we have been a lot more relentless during this stretch and we just didn’t want to leave any doubt,” he said. “Everybody doubted us after that loss and we just had something to prove.”
On Tuesday, the Utes will find out if it’s enough to move up in the College Football Playoff rankings. They’re currently sixth — just two spots out of a berth in the national semifinals — and will likely move up to No. 5 in the wake of Alabama’s loss to Auburn.
Utah’s CFP fortunes improved with the fifth-ranked Crimson Tide falling out of the picture with their second loss of the season. The cloudy picture is beginning to clear a bit. Conference championship games are all that remains before the committee’s final decisions are revealed on Selection Sunday.
Tuesday’s announcement (5 p.m., ESPN) is the second-to-last CFP rankings. Undefeated Ohio State, Louisiana State and Clemson occupy the top three spots and are expected to remain in place. Georgia is currently fourth, but faces LSU in this week’s SEC title game. As for No. 5, ESPN’s Heather Dinich noted that Utah may not be the team to replace Alabama.
“Don’t be surprised, though, if Oklahoma jumps Utah this week after adding another top 25 win to its resume” Dinich wrote on ESPN.com. “The No. 5 spot is the question of the week for the committee.”
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Utah Utes defensive end Mika Tafua (42) sacks Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez (12) during the first half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes linebacker Francis Bernard (13) celebrates after tackling Colorado Buffaloes running back Alex Fontenot (8) for a loss during the second half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) sticks a hand out to stiff-arm Colorado Buffaloes linebacker Carson Wells (26) on his way to a touchdown during the second half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive back Jaylon Johnson (1) makes a tackle on Colorado Buffaloes wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (2) during the first half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes tight end Brant Kuithe (80) catches a touchdown pass from quarterback Tyler Huntley, not pictured, during the first half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive end Mika Tafua (42) celebrates after getting a sack on Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez, not pictured, during the first half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive end Bradlee Anae (6) looks out from behind a pile of leis during senior night festivities before the start of an NCAA football game between the Utah Utes and Colorado Buffaloes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) walks out during senior night festivities before the start of an NCAA football game between the Utah Utes and Colorado Buffaloes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) walks out with family during senior night festivities before the start of an NCAA football game between the Utah Utes and Colorado Buffaloes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) makes a throw during the first half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25) receives a block from Utah Utes tight end Hunter Thedford (85) during the first half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Derrick Vickers (8) celebrates following the Utes' 45-15 win at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes tight end Bapa Falemaka (88) reaches over his guard to block Colorado Buffaloes quarterback Steven Montez (12) during the second half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive end Bradlee Anae (6) and linebacker Devin Lloyd (20) reach around their blockers to stop Colorado Buffaloes running back Alex Fontenot (8) during the second half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive ends Hauati Pututau (41) and Mika Tafua (42) tackle Colorado Buffaloes running back Alex Fontenot (8) for a loss during the second half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes running back Zack Moss (2) runs around the Colorado Buffaloes defensive line during the second half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Demari Simpkins (3) returns a punt for a 66-yard touchdown during the second half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham, left, and Colorado Buffaloes head coach Mel Tucker shake hands following the Utes' 45-15 win at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25) makes a diving attempt at a pass in the end zone during the second half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. Dixon couldn't haul the ball in but the Utes scored later in the drive. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes defensive end Bradlee Anae (6) is shoved back by Colorado Buffaloes offensive lineman Arlington Hambright (51) after a pair of Utes sacked the Colorado quarterback during the second half of an NCAA football game at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. Several players began to scuffle following the play triggering offsetting personal fouls. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes head coach Kyle Whittingham, left, and Colorado Buffaloes head coach Mel Tucker shake hands following the Utes' 45-15 win at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes tight end Thomas Yassmin (87) catches the ball on a route during warmups before the start of an NCAA football game between the Utah Utes and Colorado Buffaloes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes offensive lineman Orlando Umana (50) jumps off the line after snapping the ball to Utah Utes quarterback Tyler Huntley (1) during warmups before the start of an NCAA football game between the Utah Utes and Colorado Buffaloes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Utah Utes wide receiver Jaylen Dixon (25) runs the ball during warmups before the start of an NCAA football game between the Utah Utes and Colorado Buffaloes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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A worker removes snow from the stadium stairs before the start of an NCAA football game between the Utah Utes and Colorado Buffaloes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. The workers were removing snow from the stairs for safety, but ticket holders will have to clear off their own seats for the game. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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A worker removes snow from the stadium stairs before the start of an NCAA football game between the Utah Utes and Colorado Buffaloes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. The workers were removing snow from the stairs for safety, but ticket holders will have to clear off their own seats for the game. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Snow blankets Rice-Eccles Stadium before the start of an NCAA football game between the Utah Utes and Colorado Buffaloes in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
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Snow blankets Rice-Eccles Stadium before the start of an NCAA football game between the Utah Utes and Colorado Buffaloes in Salt Lake City on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. | Colter Peterson, Deseret News
The seventh-ranked Sooners (11-1) knocked off Oklahoma State on Saturday and take on No. 9 Baylor (11-1) in the Big 12 championship game.
Utah, meanwhile, is in an obvious “must win” situation as far as the CFP is concerned. At the very least, a victory would send the Utes to the Rose Bowl.
Quarterback Tyler Huntley has repeatedly said they’ve got to keep winning when asked about the postseason.
The Utes are all about Oregon at this point. Preparations began quickly.
“We’ll have some meetings (Sunday) night to get ready for that. We’ve done it before, so we have a plan for it,” said Utah coach Kyle Whittingham. “Oregon is on the same schedule. It’s equal footing for both teams.”
Although Utah hasn’t played Oregon this season, the Utes are familiar with the Ducks and their strengths.
Whittingham said Oregon is an explosive team that plays good defense.
“They’ve got a lot of athletes in the secondary. I believe they lead the Pac-12 in interceptions, which is usually a pretty good barometer of your athleticism on the back end. They’ve got some tremendous athletes,” he continued. “Obviously, (Justin) Herbert is a big-time player and is very skilled. They have an offensive line that will be a great matchup because they have one of the best offensive lines in the country and we have one of the best defensive lines.”
Utes on the air
Pac-12 Championship Game
Oregon (10-2, 8-1) vs. Utah (11-1, 8-1)
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Levi’s Stadium — Santa Clara, Calif.
Friday, 6 p.m. (MT)
TV: ABC, Ch. 4
Radio: ESPN 700AM
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