The Utah Checkdown

Utah can win the rivalry game, but ...

The week is finally here, where BYU and Utah will battle it out on the field in the annual rivalry game — back together in the same conference.
Host Josh Furlong is joined by Bryan Brown to breakdown the rivalry game, while previewing how this game should go. The two look at Utah's keys to success, while highlighting why BYU has been so good this season.
Can Utah win this game? That's the question the two will attempt to answer as you prepare for Saturday's game.
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Does Utah have a plan ahead of BYU game?

After a much-needed bye week, Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham feels confident in his plan going into the in-state rivalry game with BYU on Saturday.
Host Josh Furlong reacts to Whittingham's decision to keep things quiet on the QB front — who is starting this week? — as well as looking at the team's identity and where everything went wrong.
Can Utah use the bye week to regroup and return to its winning ways, or will the last part of the season fizzle out like the middle part?
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Isaac Wilson and the true freshman dilemma for QBs

Utah is on its second bye week, and Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham is using that time to determine whether Isaac Wilson should remain the team's starting quarterback, or if backup Brandon Rose should get the nod.
Host Josh Furlong looks at this QB battle ... that is happening again ... and gives his take on the situation using some numbers.
He also breaks down the true freshman experience to compare Isaac Wilson with his true freshman peers around the country — a small group of quarterbacks entrusted with leading their team's offense.
It's a lot of numbers, but it paints the picture Utah is currently facing with its offense.
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Houston, we have a problem ... a lot of them

A road game against Houston was supposed to help Utah get out of a rut and return to its winning ways. But none of that happened.
Host Josh Furlong recaps Utah's loss to Houston and where it all went wrong on Saturday. It's a team looking for answers, but nobody has been able to get the team out of its rut.
He also debates the decision to bench Isaac Wilson for Brandon Rose, and gives his insight on why that may be a good or bad decision for the team.
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Changes in store with Mike Bajakian, and a preview of Houston

As Utah prepares for a road contest against a bad Houston team, the focus turns to a Utes offense that has failed to produce the last few weeks.
Host Josh Furlong takes a look at interim offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian and what he can do to help the offense move the ball. Will the offense get a spark from a change at OC, or will it be more of the same.
He also talks about Utah's defense this season, and what it all can mean on the road against a Houston team that hasn't been all that effective this season. But it's a team that beat TCU, which beat Utah last week.
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Andy Ludwig out as Utes OC

Utah's defense held TCU to 13 points, and still the Utes found a way to drop their third straight contest of the season.
As a result, Utah offensive coordinator Andy Ludwig has stepped down and will no longer be the team's play-caller.
Host Josh Furlong recaps the weekend game, what the Ludwig news means for Utah and how the team will move forward with a new play-caller.
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A 'fresh start' as Utah turns to Isaac Wilson at QB

With the news that Cam Rising has sustained another season-ending injury, Utah has turned the full offensive playbook over to freshman Isaac Wilson.
Host Josh Furlong talks about what this permanent shift from Rising to Wilson will look like for the Utes, and what the players and coaches are saying about the change.
He also previews Utah's upcoming game against a TCU team that is potent on offense but has struggled to put it together on both sides of the ball this season.
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The Cam Rising era at Utah likely comes to an end

After a dreadful night in the desert, Utah football announced that Cam Rising is out "indefinitely" with a lower-leg injury sustained in the Arizona State game.
Host Josh Furlong breaks down the situation and how Utah even got in this place to begin with. Though Rising has meant a lot to Utah football, it was time to make the move when he was clearly not 100%
He recaps the Arizona State game and helps provide clarity into the whole night.
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Things trending up for Utes ahead of Arizona State game

A loss going into a bye week can do one of two things for a team: add fuel to the fire or add despair.
As Utah prepares for its Friday night tilt against Arizona State in Tempe, the general vibe around the Utah football program is an upward trend. But can that translate on the field?
Host Josh Furlong gives an update on the quarterback saga and looks at what the team is saying ahead of the game.
He also breaks down an Arizona State team that is 4-1 and is much improved from last season. It's a Sun Devils team that could give Utah its second loss of the season if the Utes aren't careful.
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Utah nears a crossroads at quarterback

After a loss to Arizona and a bye week to settle some frustrations, Utah football is back on a game week as the team prepares for a road tilt against Arizona State.
But the situation surrounding Cam Rising and his health continues to be a mystery. Host Josh Furlong provides an update on where everything is at with the quarterback position.
He also weighs in on whether Utah is at a point where Isaac Wilson simply remains the starting quarterback regardless of Rising's health. Utah head coach Kyle Whittingham touches on the subject.
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