SANTA CLARA, Calif. — All Bradlee Anae wants for Christmas is a ring, a Pac-12 championship ring that is. The Utah defensive end is determined to get one Friday night when the fifth-ranked Utes (11-1) face 13th-ranked Oregon (10-2) in the conference title game at Levi’s Stadium.
“That’s all I want for Christmas,” Anae said. “That’s it.”
Anae, who is one of several Utah players opting to put NFL careers on hold for another crack at the crown, added that going out with a bang is a priority.
So, too, is taking care of “unfinished business.” Utah came up short in last year’s Pac-12 Championship game, dropping a 10-3 decision to Washington.
This quest, Anae explained, was about the team being the greatest it could be.
“Because we’ve got something special and we’ve got some great guys,” said the Hendricks Award finalist.
Getting back to being one step from a Rose Bowl berth — or possibly beyond in Utah’s case with the College Football Playoff — has been a long journey. It took eight straight wins to complete.
“It’s been a while,” said running back Zack Moss. “I’m happy that this team was able to put itself in position to get back here and be ready to go Friday night.”
After coming oh-so-close in 2018, Utah receivers coach Guy Holliday spoke about the opportunity to erase that memory with another opportunity to win the Pac-12 title.
“It’s like any other sport. Once you get to the championship you want to win,” Holliday said. “And unfortunately you remember the ones you lose more than the ones you win. If you look at the NFL, how many teams lose Super Bowls and never get back. So I think we’re really fortunate and now we’ve got to capitalize on our opportunity.”
Utah coach Kyle Whittingham is predicting this one might be decided in the trenches.
Oregon returned all five starters this season, providing highly touted quarterback Justin Herbert with time to operate. Former Utah prep star Penei Sewell is the left tackle. The sophomore from Desert Hills High School is 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds.
“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,” Whittingham said.
Utah defensive ends coach Lewis Powell acknowledged that Oregon has the most experience that the Utes have faced up front this season.
“We’re excited for the challenge,” Powell said. “All we hear is that it’s a really good offensive group and I’m pretty sure that the guys are fired up.”
Practices have gone well, as they have throughout the year. Powell said they can’t wait to see what happens on Friday. Defensive tackle Leki Fotu noted that the Ducks are disciplined, do their job and should be a good matchup.
“It’s going to be a battle in the trenches and whoever dominates the most up front, I think, is going to win the game,” Fotu said.
Whittingham doesn’t think it’ll be so much about schemes as it will be physical play — getting the push, blocks, separation and things like that.
“It’s just fundamentals and technique,” he said.
When it comes down to it, Anae is betting on the Utes to prevail in the battle. Anae, Fotu, John Penisini and Mika Tafua should present quite a challenge for the most veteran of offensive lines.
“I would go with our guys. I’d go with them more. I trust them,” Anae said. “We’ve been playing together for a long time. I love my guys. So I’ll always roll with them.”
It’s a matchup that could be even more intriguing in the rainy, muddy conditions that are in the weather forecast.
PAC-12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
Oregon (10-2, 8-1) vs. Utah (11-1, 8-1)
Levi’s Stadium — Santa Clara, Calif.
Friday, 6 p.m. (MT)
TV: ABC, Ch. 4
Radio: ESPN 700AM