The Utah Checkdown

Off the top ropes, Utah delivers the blow ... again

The location doesn't seem to matter anymore to the University of Utah football program. Utah has USC's number.
After another instant classic between the two former South Division teams, the hosts breakdown how Utah was able to come out on top again against a USC team that was picked to win the conference in the preseason.
The hosts take a look at the Bryson Barnes situation and what has allowed him to be successful as the team's starter, as well as a look at the dynamic play of two-way start Sione Vaki.
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Previewing USC with Luca Evans

Saturday is the last iteration of the USC-Utah matchup, which always had a rivalry-like feel for more than a decade.
The hosts bring on USC beat writer Luca Evans of the Orange County Register to preview the game. He talks about the Trojans' focus coming into Saturday after a loss to Notre Dame.
Evans talks about Utah serving as a measuring stick to the future of USC's season and what it will mean as the program moves to the Big Ten.
The hosts then breakdown the USC game and what areas Utah needs to focus on to come out of Los Angeles with its fourth straight win. Can Utah handle Caleb Williams? Is Utah equipped to beat USC on the road?
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Handing out medical redshirts; Sione Vaki’s breakout game

Utah did what it was supposed to in a get-right game Saturday against the California Golden Bears. And while there is still more to see, Utah's offense was noticeably different.
But first, the hosts talk about medical redshirts and whether Cam Rising and Brant Kuithe should use them. Is Kyle Whittingham on board with it? Will we see either on the field this year?
Saturday was also a breakout game for safety Sione Vaki on the offensive side of the ball. The hosts talk about what to expect about Vaki's role on offense and whether it will continue as the season goes on.
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The drama around Cam Rising’s return

Coming off a bye week, there was only one topic of discussion surrounding the University of Utah football program, and that was, and has been, the return of quarterback Cam Rising.
When is Rising coming back? Is he coming back? What is happening?
The saga surrounding Rising's health took another turn this week when The Athletic talked to the quarterback's doctor to get understand what is needed for Rising's return to the game.
The hosts talk about where Utah is at with everything and whether everyone was duped into believing Rising would return earlier than expected. Was the messaging off the whole time?
And as Utah returns to action Saturday, the hosts look at what can be done to give everyone confidence about this team moving forward.
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Talking ball with Lynne Roberts; Cam Rising’s candid injury conversation

It may be the middle of the football season, but basketball season is just beginning as teams opened up their practices officially last week.
On today's episode, the hosts talk to Utah women's basketball coach Lynne Roberts as she previews the upcoming season and talks about the expectations placed upon her program a year after sharing the Pac-12 regular season championship.
The hosts then go in depth about Cam Rising's recent candid interview with ESPN 700's Bill Riley as he talked about the severity of his knee injury. What does it mea for Utah moving forward?
They also briefly discuss the Crimson Collective's new NIL opportunity that provided leased Ram 1500 trucks to all the football players on scholarship. Did Utah make a good move?
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Utah’s much-needed bye week

The first loss of the season is always the hardest. After a 4-0 start to the season, Utah left Corvallis, Oregon, with a 21-7 loss and many questions left to be answered.
 
In this week's recap episode, the hosts take a look at the Oregon State game to figure out where Utah went wrong (cough, cough: the offense). Is this a sign of things to come for the season, or just a bad one-game sample?
 
The hosts also take a look at where the bye week can help Utah, what the recruiting process looks like for Utah, and a brief discussion on Utah's change to day games recently.
 
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Previewing Oregon State with Nick Daschel, and #LetNateCook

Friday night games in conference play are as unpredictable as can be in the era of #Pac12AfterDark. But can Utah stay undefeated in a road test against Oregon State?
 
The hosts are joined by The Oregonian's Nick Daschel, who covers Oregon State, to preview the Friday night game. He gives his take on the Beavers and whether they're equipped to beat the Utes with DJ Uiagalelei under center.
 
The hosts also breakdown Utah's game plan and what the team can do to open up an offense that was lackluster against UCLA — #LetNateCook. Will Utah open up the playbook on offense, or does the team grind it out for another week?
 
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At 4-0, the sky is falling ... or is it?

At 4-0 on the season, Utah has everything in front of it, but frustrations abound.
 
In the latest episode, the hosts recap the UCLA game and what the biggest takeaways are from the game? Is it time to worry about Utah's offense? Is the offensive play-calling by design? Will the offense be better when/if Cam Rising returns on the field?
 
The hosts also take a look at Utah's elite defense and what it was able to do against a good UCLA team. Is the defense championship caliber or is it too early to tell?
 
Oh, and basketball season has begun, so the hosts briefly talk about the men's and women's return to the court.
 
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Is Rising back? Previewing Pac-12 with Jon Wilner

Utah opens up conference play with a Saturday afternoon showdown against a ranked UCLA team at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
 
The hosts are joined by the Pac-12 Hotline's Jon Wilner as they discuss the major storylines with the season shifting to conference play for potentially the last time. Wilner breaks down the teams, the Prime effect, and what UCLA could be this season.
 
The major issue at hand, though, is that of the health of quarterback Cam Rising. Is the two-time defending champion quarterback making his first start Saturday. The hosts break it down and look at the evolution of backup quarterback Nate Johnson.
 
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Living that 2-0 life as Utah nears end to nonconference play

With a 2-0 start to the season, Utah is one of only two teams in the country with both of its wins over Power Five competition, and the Utes have done it without several key players still in the lineup.
 
The hosts look back at Utah's win and some of the biggest takeaways from a come-from-behind win, which include a new backup QB being named and running back Micah Bernard lost for the season.
 
They also give a quick look at the injuries that dot Utah's roster and who could see the field soon. The hosts also discuss the future of FCS scheduling and what Kyle Whittingham believes will be what takes place. The hosts have some answers of their own.
 
Stay up to date with University of Utah athletics news and coverage from KSL.com Sports on Twitter @KSLcomSports and on KSL.com.
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