The Utah Checkdown

Pac-12 survival hangs in the balance

A week after Colorado defected for the Big 12, the latest round of conference realignment may be happening as Arizona, Arizona State and Utah are rumored to be the next to leave to the Big 12.
 
This comes on the heels of the Big Ten beginning "exploratory discussions" about the possibility of expansion, which could bring at least Oregon and Washington into the fold under a reduced share capacity.
 
The hosts break down the latest rumblings around college football and look into Utah's state in this world.
 
Oh, and there's football to talk about, too. Utah has several practices under its belt as part of fall camp, and the hosts breakdown what they've learned and look ahead to Week 2.
 
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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The future of the Pac-12 is ... messy

Just days after the Pac-12 held its annual media day event in Las Vegas, the University of Colorado looks to move back to the Big 12, immediately sending shockwaves into the college football landscape.
 
The hosts talk about what led up to Colorado's decision, how it will impact the longevity (if there is one) of the Pac-12, and Utah's potential future. Is this good for Utah? Can Colorado be replaced in the conference?
 
The hosts also recap a bit of media day before looking ahead to Utah opening up its fall camp for the 2023 season next week.
 
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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Back-to-back champs; Utah smelling the roses ... again

The narrative was already written: USC would represent the Pac-12 in the College Football Playoff ahead of the Pac-12 championship game. But someone forgot to tell the defending conference champs, Utah, that the Trojans were the team to take the Pac-12 to the playoff.
 
Utah erased a 17-3 USC lead, reeled off 24 straight unanswered points and claimed back-to-back Pac-12 championships to set up another Rose Bowl appearance for the program.
 
Host Josh Furlong is joined with Utah wide receiver Solomon Enis to talk about the championship game and how the team never felt like they were going to lose the game. He also offers his perspective on the Rose Bowl against Penn State, a team he was heavily considering when he was recruited.
 
The two also talk about the transfer portal, NIL and how it all shapes the life of a college athlete and the decisions they make.
 
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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Recap of a chaotic weekend; championship week begins

Utah needed everything to go its way last weekend to return to its fourth Pac-12 championship game in five seasons. And despite the odds stacked against the Utes, they're back in Las Vegas.
 
The hosts are joined by University of Utah wide receiver Solomon Enis in another edition of the podcast. He shares his thoughts on the crazy weekend and how Utah found out it was back in the title game.
 
Enis also talks about how he's one of a handful of players on the team that have been to all four Pac-12 championship games for Utah and what it means to him.
 
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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Disappointment in Eugene, expectations at Utah, where the teams goes now

Utah had three late chances to beat Oregon on the road in a pivotal Pac-12 matchup, but the team's offense was "out of sync" throughout the game and the Ducks held on for a 20-17 win.
 
The hosts are joined today by University of Utah wide receiver Solomon Enis, who breaks down the game and the problems Utah faced in its effort to get a win. They talk about the team's expectations and how the loss changes the season, as well as how the team handles a difficult loss.
 
Utah still has an outside shot to make the Pac-12 title game, but it only happens if Utah can shake off the road loss and closeout the regular season with a win on the road against a one-win Colorado team.
 
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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Utah’s path to the title game, and a look ahead to Oregon

Utah closed out its home season at Rice-Eccles Stadium on Saturday night with 42-7 win over Stanford — a perfect 6-0 at home on the season and an unbeaten streak over the last two seasons.
 
The hosts are joined by Utah wide receiver Solomon Enis, who breaks down the Stanford game and the emotions of his last time playing in Rice-Eccles Stadium, as well as his early look on a good Oregon team that lost over the weekend to Washington.
 
It will be Enis' first and last trip to Autzen Stadium, where a hostile crowd awaits in a pivotal game that will help decide the Pac-12 championship game. How is Utah preparing for this big game, Enis and the hosts share in the podcast.
 
Also, be treated to some hot takes about Elon Musk and a brief look at Utah's men's and women's basketball teams.
 
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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Follow Solomon @SolomonEnis

Senior night, injuries piling up and Pac-12 championship aspirations

Utah got a convincing win against an improving Arizona team, and yet the team still fell back in the Associated Press Top 25 rankings — all while battling injuries.
 
The hosts are joined, once again, by wide receiver Solomon Enis to break down Utah's win over Arizona, the worst weather elements to play through, what senior night looks like, and how Utah keeps its Pac-12 championship aspirations alive.
 
There's also a look at life after college football and how that process plays out for athletes at the end of their career who may or may not have NFL opportunities.
 
And then the hosts give a brief look at the men's basketball season and what to look for in Craig Smith's second season as head coach as the team opens up the regular season Monday night.
 
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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Halloween, Washington State recap, and Cam Rising out

With the last-minute surprise of starting quarterback Cam Rising ruled out of the road game against Washington State due to injury, Utah used a full team effort to get a win on the road.
 
The hosts were joined by wide receiver Solomon Enis to talk about the win and how it was to learn about Rising not playing. The three break down the game and all that went into a Utah win, the upcoming Arizona game, as well as a little bit of talk of Halloween.
 
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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Bye week, chicken wings and prep for Wazzu with Solomon Enis

The University of Utah had its bye week after an emotional win at home against USC. So what did the week look like for the team and how are they getting ready for a road game against Washington State? The hosts were joined by Solomon Enis to break it all down.
 
But first, they settled the always necessary chicken wings vs. chicken tenders debate. Is there a right answer?
 
They take a look at the state of the program and where the team can go in their final five games of the regular season. And then there's the situation of the other local teams in the state.
 
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 @JFurKSL
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Follow Solomon @SolomonEnis

Breaking down Utah’s upset of USC with Solomon Enis

Facing a high-powered USC offense that seemingly scored at will, Utah faced a 14-0 deficit at home before pulling off a 43-42 win over the Trojans to keep their conference title chances alive.
 
The hosts were joined by Utah wide receiver Solomon Enis, who gave his insight from the game, what it means for the program going forward and how honoring their fallen teammates was a big factor in the win.
 
They also talked about the career nights for both quarterback Cameron Rising and tight end Dalton Kincaid, and what it took to come away with a win.
 
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 @JFurKSL
Follow Rob @rojackKSL
Follow Solomon @SolomonEnis