The Utah Checkdown

In this episode of The Utah Checkdown podcast, host Josh Furlong breaks down the debut College Football Playoff rankings, where the undefeated Utes locked in — and why the national media reaction from ESPN has Utah fans buzzing.
Here's a look at what's on today's episode:
 
Initial College Football Playoff rankings: A breakdown of the newly released CFP rankings, focusing on Utah landing at No. 3, the overall standing of five Big 12 teams, and the perceived push toward SEC-heavy favoritism.
 
National media reaction & Utah skepticism: Analysis of ESPN analysts (including Rece Davis) questioning Utah’s top-three ranking, comparing Utah's resume against UCLA and Alabama, and addressing the team's need to prove doubters wrong under head coach Morgan Scalley.
 
Big 12 officiating scrutiny: Insider Jon Wilner joins to discuss back-to-back officiating and replay controversies across three consecutive BYU games (Notre Dame, UCF, and Arizona State) and the Big 12's proactive meeting to address mechanics and avoid a "Category 5 storm".
Playoff bids & future conference landscape: An assessment of the Big 12's chances of securing multiple playoff spots, the search for the next Big 12 commissioner after Brett Yormark's exit, and potential national impacts from the upcoming Miami vs. Notre Dame matchup.
Rivalry preview: Key factors for Saturday’s showdown at Rice-Eccles Stadium, including BYU’s ability to win on the margins and what outcome best benefits the conference postseason picture.
Follow Josh Furlong on social media platform X @Josh_Furlong or on Instagram @jfurksl.

On this episode of The Utah Checkdown podcast, host Josh Furlong is joined by BYU insider Mitch Harper in the first part of a rivalry crossover edition.
The two discuss the following ahead of the top-10 matchup between schools:
Blind ranking: Mitch tests Josh by blind ranking legendary BYU players
Game importance: Who needs to win the rivalry game more?
Rivalry toxicity: A look at how the rivalry game has changed with Morgan Scalley as Utah's head coach
Follow Josh Furlong on social media platform X @Josh_Furlong or on Instagram @jfurksl.

Host Josh Furlong breaks down a statement weekend for the No. 3 Utah Utes following their 49-25 blowout win over Cincinnati.
From extending their historic 23-season pick-six streak to Devon Dampier’s record-setting performance, the Utes are firing on all cylinders.
Here's a look at what's on the show:
The AP Top 25 ballot: Where things stand in a chaotic college football landscape and a preview of the upcoming College Football Playoff rankings.
Big 12 implications: Dissecting BYU’s recent struggles, Texas Tech’s win, and how the conference title race is shaping up.
Rivalry week is here: Initial updates on Saturday’s showdown against BYU, kickoff details on ABC, and injury news on offensive lineman Kelvin Obot.
A business trip: A look back at Utah's trip to Cincinnati and how the team came away with a big win.
Giveaway & tailgate alerts: How you can win tickets to Saturday's game and details on our live tailgate on Guardsman Way.
Follow Josh Furlong on social media platform X @Josh_Furlong or on Instagram @jfurksl.

In this episode of The Utah Checkdown podcast, Josh Furlong breaks down everything you need to know ahead of Utah’s road game against a Cincinnati team who just upset a top-10 team the week prior:
Brett Yormark leaving: The Big 12 announced Friday that commissioner Brett Yormark is stepping away on Jan. 31, 2027. Josh highlights what that means to the conference and how the Big 12 needs to get it right on the next hire.
Trap game nonsense: Coming off a big win, Cincinnati is seen as a trap game for Utah. But is it really a trap game? Josh gives his reasons as to why he doesn't believe that's the case.
Previewing the Bearcats: The Cincinnati offense is a three-headed monster that could spell trouble for Utah, but Josh breaks down the stats to show how Utah is poised to contain what the Bearcats are doing.
Big 12 Hotline with Jon Wilner: The Bay Area News Group's Jon Wilner joins the show to discuss the outlook for the Big 12 after two of the top teams dropped a game, and where he sees Utah finishing out.
Follow Josh Furlong on social media platform X @Josh_Furlong or on Instagram @jfurksl.

It was a wild few days on the hill, and we’re breaking it all down! On this week’s episode of The Utah Checkdown podcast, Josh Furlong dives straight into the chaos:
The Pat McAfee saga: What actually went down with ESPN College GameDay, the University of Utah’s viral Instagram video, McAfee’s Monday rant, and the school’s apology. Is the drama blown out of proportion, or does McAfee have a point?
10 a.m. kickoff for Utah vs. BYU: The Holy War gets the dreaded morning time slot. Why fans on both sides are frustrated, why the petitions won't move ESPN, and how the national TV window actually dictates the decision.
AP Top 25 ballot & Big 12 race: Where Utah sits at 7-0 (and No. 5 on Josh’s ballot), BYU at No. 6, and what the latest conference shakeups mean for the College Football Playoff outlook.
Houston recap & defensive dominance: Utah took away Houston’s explosive offense, held them to just 13 points, and leaned on Devon Dampier and a lights-out second-half performance. We break down the game-changing Jackson Bennee play, the Rice-Eccles atmosphere, and Kelvin Obot's injury update.
Follow Josh Furlong on social media platform X @Josh_Furlong or on Instagram @jfurksl.

ESPN's "College GameDay" is back in Salt Lake City, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.
In this episode of the Utah Checkdown podcast, Josh Furlong breaks down everything you need to know ahead of Utah’s massive top-15 showdown against the Houston Cougars:
GameDay spotlight: Former Utes standout and current Buffalo Bills tight end Dalton Kincaid returns to campus as the celebrity guest picker.
Matchup breakdown: With both offenses putting up nearly identical numbers, can Utah’s pass defense exploit Houston’s secondary vulnerabilities? Josh examines third-down efficiency, red-zone conversion, and what the Cougars' RPO attack means for Morgan Scalley’s defense.
Injury & roster updates: The latest availability reports heading into kickoff, including the impact of starting offensive lineman Kelvin Obot’s absence.
Big 12 Hotline with Jon Wilner: The Bay Area News Group's Jon Wilner joins the show to discuss the Big 12's College Football Playoff outlook, the ripple effects of BYU’s win over Notre Dame, and why he thinks Utah’s undefeated run is in serious jeopardy.
Follow Josh Furlong on social media platform X @Josh_Furlong or on Instagram @jfurksl.

On this edition of the Utah Checkdown podcast, host Josh Furlong breaks down a wild week in college football and dives into the state of the Utes:
Surviving Boulder: A recap of Utah’s gritty 27-24 win over Colorado, the offensive stagnation and communication hiccups, Isaac Wilson’s revenge game, and why ugly wins still count.
The pass rush debate: Addressing the frustration around sack numbers and defensive pressure, featuring insights from head coach Morgan Scalley on disruption versus pure sack totals.
Playoff landscape & Big 12 reshuffle: What BYU’s upset over Notre Dame, Texas Tech’s surge, and the AP Top 25 chaos mean for the Big 12’s path to the postseason.
College GameDay comes back to Salt Lake: Prepping for ESPN’s arrival ahead of Utah’s showdown with No. 14 Houston — plus the frustration surrounding recurring late-night kickoffs.
Ticket giveaway trivia: Your chance to win four free tickets to Saturday's matchup against Houston by answering Josh's celebrity guest picker trivia question.
Follow Josh Furlong on social media platform X @Josh_Furlong or on Instagram @jfurksl.

Host Josh Furlong breaks down everything Utes fans need to know heading into Saturday’s road tilt against Colorado — from Isaac Wilson leading the Buffaloes' offense to the defensive keys in the trenches.
Plus, a dive into the growing buzz around a 24-team College Football Playoff, Morgan Scalley’s mission to lock down in-state recruiting, and a visit from Jon Wilner to unpack how big the weekend's games are for the Big 12's postseason fate.
In this episode:
Houston kickoff window: Why the network broadcast schedules put Utah-Houston on a six-day hold and what time slots are on the table.
The 24-team playoff scenario: What a potential bracket expansion means for college football, conference championship games, and why historical metrics suggest Utah would be among the biggest winners.
In-state recruiting priority: Morgan Scalley's vision for keeping top local talent home and building a pipeline in Utah.
Colorado preview: Dissecting the Buffaloes' struggles, former Ute Isaac Wilson under center, and the defensive keys to securing bowl eligibility in Boulder.
Hotline Update with John Wilner: Breaking down the College Football Playoff at-large implications of BYU vs. Notre Dame, CFP selection committee dynamics, and the current state of Deion Sanders' program.
Follow Josh Furlong on social media platform X @Josh_Furlong or on Instagram @jfurksl.

The Utes are 5-0, but are they getting will they get national respect they deserve, especially with the team's strength of schedule? In this episode, host Josh Furlong breaks down several points:
The Kansas recap: Dissecting the 41-24 victory, Wayshawn Parker’s dynamic night, Devon Dampier’s steady second-half recovery, and the defensive secondary’s response to big plays.
Morgan Scalley’s milestone start: How Scalley became the best first-year head coach in Utah history.
Moving week in the Big 12: Why top-tier separation is finally hitting the conference and where Utah stands in ESPN's efficiency and game control rankings.
The Holy War dilemma: BYU faces No. 2 Notre Dame this weekend, so should Utah fans ever root for their rivals to boost the conference resume? (Spoiler: Josh says absolutely not).
Beef of the Week: Big praise for the revamped Utah offensive line taking home Big 12 honors.
Follow Josh Furlong on social media platform X @Josh_Furlong or on Instagram @jfurksl.

Football is back at Rice-Eccles Stadium after a two-week break, and the Utes are preparing for a "whiteout" matchup against the Kansas Jayhawks.
Host Josh Furlong breaks down whether Kansas’ top-10 offensive and defensive metrics are legitimate threats or just paper stats padded by weak nonconference opponents.
From bottling up dual-threat quarterback Isaiah Marshall to Utah’s defensive dominance in the red zone, get the complete breakdown of what Morgan Scalley’s squad must do to avoid an upset.
Plus, John Wilner of the Wilner Hotline joins the show for an inside look at the biggest headlines across college football:
The AP poll factory: How voters evaluate wildly unbalanced early-season schedules.
Playoff expansion fallout: The looming expiration of ESPN’s exclusive CFP negotiating window and what a potential jump to 24 teams means for the Big 12’s access and revenue.
Week 6 Big 12 matchups: Why Texas Tech might be vulnerable, the fallout of ASU’s London trip, and a hypothetical "midpoint" showdown between Utah and BYU.
Follow Josh Furlong on social media platform X @Josh_Furlong or on Instagram @jfurksl.