The Utah Checkdown

Should Utah fans feel confident going into Washington?

Is Utah truly a contender for a three-peat in the Pac-12?
That and many other questions will be answered Saturday as the Utes travel to Seattle to battle it out for the last time with Washington before the two part ways next season.
The hosts jump into the upcoming game and break down how the game could be won for Utah — or can they team even get a win? They answer that and more as they look into Washington's high-powered offense and less-than-stellar defense.
The hosts also chat a little basketball as the women's team enters a difficult stretch of the young schedule. They also give an injury update to some of Lynne Roberts' players.
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Utah unleashes on ASU; basketball szn begins

It was the wrong week for Arizona State to play Utah after its humiliating loss to Oregon the week prior at Rice-Eccles Stadium.
Utah took out its frustration in a 52-point win over Arizona State and showcased an offense that hasn't been seen much for the 2023 season. The hosts recap the big games in Pac-12 play, as well as give their thoughts on how Utah won the game.
Is the offense in better hands now with Andy Ludwig opening up the playbook and Bryson Barnes looking more comfortable under center?
The hosts also give their thoughts on the season-opening wins for the men's and women's basketball teams. 
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Big 12 schedule release; Utah moving forward with season

The Big 12 released a scheduling matrix for the 2024-27 seasons, giving Utah football a look its future opponents in a new era for the program.
The hosts jump into the schedule and take a look at what the Big 12 will be life for Utah, including a look at who the toughest opponents Utah will face on the road. Is the schedule favorable for the Utes in their first season in the Big 12?
Then the hosts look at the upcoming Arizona State game and what Utah is saying going into the game.
The 2023 season has not concluded yet, but the future of Utah 
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Recapping a Utah game that didn’t exist

Utah's 18-game winning streak at Rice-Eccles Stadium has come to an end after Oregon showed no mercy and handily beat the home team on a day when ESPN College GameDay made its appearance in Salt Lake City.
The hosts take a look back at the game and where it all went wrong for Utah, as well as a brief recap of the Pac-12, Halloween and anything else that was on their mind about the game.
They also discuss whether there's merit to move redshirt freshman quarterback Brandon Rose off the sideline and onto the field for meaningful minutes over the last four games of the season.
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Talking Utah-Oregon matchup with John Canzano

Everything still remains on the table for Utah as it returns home to Rice-Eccles Stadium to take on eighth-ranked Oregon in another entertaining matchup.
The hosts are joined by John Canzano to discuss Saturday's matchup, College GameDay coming to town, the end of the Pac-12 era, and other random musings about college football.
The hosts take a look at whether this is a game Utah can win or if Oregon is too good to leave Salt Lake City without a win. Can Utah slow down and put pressure on Bo Nix?
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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?
Stay up to date with University of Utah athletics news and coverage from KSL.com Sports on Twitter @KSLcomSports and on KSL.com.
Follow Josh Furlong @JFurKSL
Follow Josh Newman @Joshua_Newman