The Utah Checkdown

Utah going big game hunting in recruiting; previewing Cincy, Baylor games

Utah football concluded official visits over the weekend for the 2026 recruiting class.
The staff loaded up the final weekend with several talented players, including five-star offensive tackle Felix Ojo and Lone Peak High twin receivers Jaron and Keenan Pula.
Host Josh Furlong recaps what is known about Utah's final week of official visits, as well as giving an updated look at the commits Utah has received for the class.
He also continues his schedule series breakdown with a look at Cincinnati and Baylor. If Utah is in contention for a Big 12 title, that road trip to Waco, Texas, could prove to be a pivotal and seismic game down the stretch.
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Looking for redemption amid a rivalry stretch of BYU and Colorado on Utah football’s schedule

We're back again to preview the two games that will start the back half stretch of Utah football's schedule. It's a rivalry stretch that has a lot of unknowns for the two opponents BYU and Colorado
Host Josh Furlong breaks down these two tough games, which includes a road game against in-state rival BYU and a home bout against a different Colorado team.
With the unknowns surrounding the QB position for both programs, there's a lot of questions going into the season about how good these two schools can be a year after improvement for both teams.
It's a tough stretch that could prove the mettle of Utah's team this season.
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Phil Steele ranks Utah football high; a preview of West Virginia and Arizona State

We're back again to preview the next two games on Utah football's schedule, with a road game against West Virginia and a home game against reigning Big 12 champion Arizona State.
Host Josh Furlong breaks down these two challenging games as Utah enters the halfway point of its season. Is a 4-2 record good enough for optimism for the remaining six games?
He also gives an update on Utah's official visits, a brief look at the House settlement and what it means moving forward, as well as a look at what Phil Steele had to say about the Utes for the upcoming season.
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From Wyoming to Texas Tech, Utah football will have its hands full in early, pivotal stretch

The final game of the nonconference schedule and the first game of Big 12 play will prove to be a pivotal early stretch for Utah football.
Host Josh Furlong returns with the next two games on Utah's schedule, with a road contest at Wyoming and home game against Texas Tech to start the conference slate.
The Cowboys are looking to bounce back from a poor season, while the Red Raiders are going all in on the 2025 season in an effort to win the conference. How Utah performs in these two games will be telling for the rest of the season.
Will Utah have what it takes to upend a Texas Tech squad with arguably the best roster on paper in the conference, or is Utah still a step behind after a dismal 2024 season?
Furlong also gives a brief update on the shifting College Football Playoff landscape, as well as an update on Utah's official visits.
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Devon Dampier vs. Nico Iamaleava on a national stage? Breaking down Utah football’s season openers

Utah opens up the season with a game against former Pac-12 foe UCLA on the road to start the 2025 season.
The game has the potential to get a little bit of national attention with Nico Iamaleava as UCLA's starting QB, but do the Bruins have enough to compete this season?
Host Josh Furlong begins his weekly schedule breakdown by looking at the first two games of the season against UCLA and FCS Cal Poly.
Utah and UCLA had very similar seasons, and each will have much to prove in Week 1. But which team is better suited for a potential bounce-back year?
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Changes to the College Football Playoff and the future of the sport

College football is evolving at a rapid pace, and already there's been too much to follow.
Host Josh Furlong jumps into the weeds to explain the recent news about the College Football Playoff structure and what the next steps are.
He also explains the recent talk to bind the schools together in an agreement that could force schools out of their current conference if they don't join.
What does it all mean to the sport's future?
Furlong also gives a brief update on some new players added to the official visit list for Utah football to watch for in the coming month.
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Will Utah football exceed 7.5 wins? And latest recruiting news

The over/under lines for the Big 12 are out, and it's another season of perceived parity in the conference.
Host Josh Furlong takes a look at the top eight teams, including Utah, who have the best odds to see where they stand going into the 2025 season.
As it stands, Utah is projected to win 7.5 games, but can the Utes bounce back and get at least eight wins? What about the other top teams in the conference?
Furlong also gives an introductory look at Utah's 2026 recruiting class and the official visits the school will be hosting starting on May 30. Welcome to the busy season of recruiting.
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Previewing (and grading) Utah football's offensive potential in 2025

Back for another week to talk about Utah football and other happenings at the University of Utah
Host Josh Furlong gives an updated look at Kyle Whittingham's contract (as it relates to his future retirement) and also gives a look back at Utah's offensive performance last season to see where they need to improve (Surprise: all of it!).
Furlong breaks down each position group to see who will be the starters, rotation players and depth pieces, and where Utah is most confident.
Can Utah have a bounce-back season on offense, or will a two-year trend move toward three years?
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Is Utah the best football program in the Big 12? Guest John Kurtz makes his case

Utah had a down 2024 season, going 5-7 in a year where the program was picked to win the Big 12 with Cam Rising under center, but are the Utes still the best program in the Big 12?
Special guest John Kurtz makes his case for Utah as the Big 12's best program. He and host Josh Furlong look at Utah and what makes them a strong candidate for that label.
The two talk Utah's status in the Big 12, Cam Rising's medical retirement, what the Big 12 race will look like in 2025 and how the conference can stay afloat amid constant changes in the collegiate space.
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Previewing (and grading) Utah football’s defensive potential in 2025

The transfer portal has closed, but Utah men's basketball and football continues to add players for the upcoming season.
Host Josh Furlong gives an update on the portal activity and who Utah has brought in for the 2025 season. He also gives a look back at Utah's defensive performance last season to see where they need to improve.
As part of that, Furlong breaks down each position group to see who will be the starters, rotation players and depth pieces.
Can Utah return to the top on defense with their current roster? Does Utah have the right pieces (and depth) to compete in the Big 12 this season?
Stay up to date with University of Utah athletics news and coverage from KSL.com Sports on social media platform X @KSLcomSports and on KSL.com.
Follow Josh Furlong @JFurKSL