The Utah Checkdown

Utah football is inside the 100-day window before games are played again, but the offseason remains in full force. Host Josh Furlong goes over some of the typical offseason stuff, like grading the Big 12 transfers, as well as what the win totals for each program are for the season. He also talks about how June will be a busy month for Utah in the recruiting front and breaks down some top names taking official visits to Utah. 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

The spring season concluded over the weekend with the annual 22 Forever Game at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Cam Rising was back in action, and fans also got to see Brandon Rose and Isaac Wilson battle it out on the field. Host Josh Furlong is joined by 247Sports' Steve Bartle to recap the spring game, and to talk about the highs and lows of camp, and what Utah should be looking for in the upcoming transfer portal session. Bartle also breaks down what the summer will look like for Utah recruiting as it gears up for the 2025 class. 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

The college basketball season ended for the Utah women Monday in a second-round loss in the NCAA Tournament to Gonzaga. The Bulldogs were on fire, and the Utes had no answer to cool them down. As part of the NCAA Tournament experience, though, the team had a troubling situation in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, where racial epithets were directed toward the team. The host breaks down what happened and how the team is moving forward. The host also takes a look at the NIT quarterfinal for the men's basketball team and what's ahead, as well as a brief look-in at spring football and what the team is focused on midway through camp. 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

There was a game played Saturday on the road, but Utah fans would rather talk about something else. Fortunately for Utes fans, starting quarterback Cam Rising announced Sunday his return to the program for "one more year." The hosts take a look at his announcement and what type of ripple effect will result based on his return. Will it bring back several players? How will it impact recruiting? What about the transfer portal? The hosts also talk about Saturday being the last game of the Pac-12 era, as well as some of our favorite Thanksgiving treats. 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

Coming off a close loss to Washington, Utah now turns its attention to a final road game against a tough Arizona team still in contention for a Pac-12 title. Is Utah in risk of an emotional letdown? Or does Kyle Whittingham have his team ready to leave the desert with a victory? The hosts take a look at the Arizona game to see the potential pitfalls. They also recap the race to the Pac-12 title game — one in which Utah still technically remains a part of — a look at the transfer portal, and what the season could look like the last couple games (including a bowl game). 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

Utah is officially out of contention in the Pac-12 title game race — the first in five full seasons — following a close loss to No. 5 Washington on the road. The hosts take a look back at the weekend — including key Pac-12 games and the TV ratings Utah has gotten this season — to see where Utah went wrong. The game itself was a tale of two halves, but Kyle Whittingham said he doesn't know where it went wrong. The hosts breakdown why Whittingham believes that, what the players are saying, and what it means going forward. And if you stay to the end, the hosts make a bit of a guess at what the future looks like for Utah's roster. 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

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. 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

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. 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

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 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

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. 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

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? 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

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. 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

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? 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

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. 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

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. 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

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

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. 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

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? 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

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. 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

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. 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