The Utah Checkdown

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.
 
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Previewing Baylor with CBS Sports’ Shehan Jeyarajah

The first game of the season is in the books, and Utah is off to a 1-0 to start.
 
But the first road test of the season is on deck in a matchup against a future conference foe in Baylor. To help breakdown the upcoming game, the hosts are joined by CBS Sports' Shehan Jeyarajah.
 
Baylor will be without starting quarterback Blake Shapen and will need to improve its defense as it prepares for Utah. Jeyarajah gives a look at how the Bears will look to rebound after a Week 1 loss to Texas State.
 
The hosts also take a look back at what did and did not work against Florida, and what to focus on as the team travels to Waco, Texas.
 
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Welcome to the season, Utah

Game week has arrived as Utah prepares to welcome Florida to Rice-Eccles Stadium Thursday night. It's the first-ever SEC opponent to play at Rice-Eccles Stadium and the first time in 32 years Florida has left its state for a nonconference game.
 
But the biggest question waiting to be answered is that of who will be starting at quarterback for Utah. The hosts give an update into what Utah will do at quarterback with Cam Rising not expected to play.
 
The hosts also break down Utah's season-opening depth chart — who are the standouts and surprises — as well as a look into how the game will be won or lost for the Utes.
 
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Previewing the Florida Gators with On3’s Nick de la Torre

Utah is in the final stretch of the offseason. In a week's time, the Utes will welcome the Florida Gators to Rice-Eccles Stadium on a Thursday night matchup to open up to the 2023 season.
 
Joining the podcast to preview the Florida Gators is On3 senior writer Nick de la Torre. He breaks down the 2023 Gators and their expectations coming into Utah, as well as some talk about Graham Mertz at QB, injuries, and the players to watch.
 
The hosts then give an update on Utah's ever-evolving quarterback situation, as well as a preview to what Utah's initial depth chart will look like going into the Florida game.
 
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Utah’s QB drama continues 2 weeks out

With two weeks to go before Utah opens up the season at home against Florida, the quarterback situation hasn't gotten any clearer. If anything, it's only seen more drama.
 
The hosts talk about an injury that took Brandon Rose, at least for some time, out of contention for QB2, as well what Utah's options are at the position should Cam Rising not be cleared for the season opener.
 
Should Utah switch up its offense scheme depending on who is at QB? How is the running back room shaping up, and should they carry a larger load for the offense?
 
The hosts also look at how Craig Smith found out about Utah's move to the Big 12, what it means to the program, and if they're in a good position for the transition.
 
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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Welcome to the Big 12, Utah

After a wild 24 hours last weekend, Utah Athletics is officially a member of the Big 12 Conference, starting in the 2024 season. The hosts breakdown how it went down, what Utah says about it, as well as what fans can look forward to in a new conference.
 
The move will have implications on the future of Utah Athletics, but Kyle Whittingham is focused solely on the Florida Gators as well as settling his depth chart. The hosts give an update on the QB situation and when a backup needs to be named.
 
The hosts also give an update from Week 2 of camp and look at other positions on the team that could have an impact on the field this year.
 
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