The Utah Blockcast

Utah basketball showed some promise in its 79–69 exhibition win at UNLV. Can Alex Jensen’s new backcourt and improved defense give the Runnin’ Utes a foundation for a better season?

Steve Bartle breaks down Trey Campbell’s scoring, T.J. Burch’s defensive disruption and the biggest takeaways from Utah’s first outing before opening the Utah Blockcast mailbag.

On this episode:
• Basketball standouts, rebounding concerns and realistic expectations.
• Utah’s best football recruiters—and where Morgan Scalley ranks.
• How the offense is changing the conversation with receiver recruits.
• What Utah needs to improve against Kansas.
• Where this season’s start compares with the memorable 2019, 2021 and 2022 teams.
• Rock Caldwell’s role, getting Semi a touch and naming the Byrd Ficklin–Devon Dampier package.

What would count as a successful Utah basketball season? And what should Utah call its two-quarterback package? Drop your answers and next week’s mailbag questions in the comments.

Subscribe to Utah Blockcast for Utah football, basketball and recruiting coverage.

Morgan Scalley has needed just four games to change the national conversation around Utah football. What’s driving the Utes’ rise—and what could it mean for their Big 12 title hopes and recruiting momentum?

Steve Bartle opens with why Utah is answering preseason questions faster than expected, then welcomes two guests:

Michael Swain of Kansas 247 breaks down the Jayhawks ahead of Saturday’s whiteout at Rice-Eccles Stadium. We discuss Isaiah Marshall’s mobility, Dylan Edwards, Kansas’ improved defensive front and what must happen for the Jayhawks to threaten Utah.

Cam Mellor of Pro Football Network examines Utah’s standout secondary, Zereoue Williams’ emergence, Devon Dampier’s ceiling and Wayshawn Parker’s growing national case. Plus, how do Utah, BYU and Texas Tech stack up in the Big 12 race.

Has Utah’s start changed your expectations? Let us know in the comments and subscribe for more Utah Blockcast coverage.

#UtahFootball #GoUtes #Big12 #UtahBlockcast

Utah didn’t play this weekend, but did the rest of the Big 12 give Utes fans more reasons to believe?

Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett recap Week 5, update the Utah Blockcast Big 12 power rankings and discuss why their confidence in Utah continues to grow. BYU survives at TCU, Baylor makes a statement, Arizona shuts down Cincinnati, and Texas Tech wins without settling every question.

Then, the conversation turns to Utah: Did the road get easier, or do we simply trust the Utes more? From Devon Dampier’s leadership to an offense and defense equipped to win different kinds of games, we explain what separates Utah—and why continuing to raise the standard matters.

Plus, a quick look ahead to Kansas and the return to Rice-Eccles Stadium.

Subscribe to Utah Blockcast for Utah football analysis, Big 12 discussion and coverage throughout the season.

#UtahFootball #UtahUtes #Big12 #UtahBlockcast

Did Utah basketball do enough this offseason to take a meaningful step forward?

Steve Bartle and Andrew Crowley of the Runnin’ Hoops Podcast hand out offseason grades for Alex Jensen, Wes Wilcox and the Runnin’ Utes. Following basketball media day, they break down a roster built for more size, better defense and greater depth—and how losing Noam Yaacov changes the outlook.

The conversation covers:
• Transfer portal grades and why Jackson Holcomb could set the tone.
• The international additions and what they bring to Utah’s rotation.
• Returning players, health questions and Lucas Langarita’s opportunity.
• The pivot to Trey Campbell and the uncertainty surrounding his eligibility.
• Whether the nonconference schedule gives Utah what it needs.
• Overall offseason grades and why the next step has to show up in the win column.

There’s a clear vision for what Utah wants to become. How much confidence should fans have that this roster can deliver?

Subscribe to Utah Blockcast for more Utah basketball and football coverage, and leave your offseason grade in the comments.

Utah football is 4–0, but how much should expectations rise? Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett deliver a bye-week stock report on the Utes, examining who they’re buying, who they’re holding and what still needs to improve before the toughest Big 12 tests arrive.

Devon Dampier’s development and Wayshawn Parker’s playmaking have fueled confidence in the offense. The defense has been stingy, but can Utah generate enough pressure with four rushers against better quarterbacks?

In this episode:
• Rising stock: Cedric Jefferson, Cyrus Polu, Lance Holtzclaw and Utah’s running backs
• Why Dampier still has room to elevate his game
• Offensive line development and the biggest defensive question
• The different tests Kansas, Colorado, Houston and Cincinnati will present
• Why 10 or 11 wins feels increasingly realistic in Morgan Scalley’s first season

Plus, the Big 12 games worth watching while Utah is idle.

Which Utah player are you buying stock in—and how many games do you expect the Utes to win? Drop your picks in the comments and subscribe to Utah Blockcast for more Utah football analysis.

#UtahFootball #UtahUtes #Big12

Devon Dampier is giving Utah football a more dangerous passing attack—but what still needs work after a 4–0 start? Steve Bartle answers your questions in this Utah Blockcast bye-week mailbag, using Hudl IQ charts and film observations to examine the Utes’ progress.

We break down Dampier’s downfield improvement, Kelvin Obot’s push for a starting role, Cedric Jefferson’s encouraging play and why Byrd Ficklin had fewer opportunities against Iowa State. Plus, how concerned should Utah fans be about third-quarter slowdowns, blitz protection and generating pressure with four?

Also in this episode:
• Coaching grades for Morgan Scalley, Kevin McGiven and Colton Swan
• Early returns on Utah’s recruiting changes and Otro Capital partnership
• Whether the Big 12 has college football’s best running backs
• Big 12 fanbase rankings and Ames vs. Morgantown
• Favorite road-trip destinations, barbecue and an unexpected grape obsession

What has encouraged you most about Utah through four games—and what’s your biggest concern? Drop your answers and future mailbag questions in the comments.

Subscribe to the Utah Blockcast for Utah football analysis, Big 12 discussion and coverage from KSL Sports Utah Insider Steve Bartle.

#UtahFootball #GoUtes #Big12

Utah football is 4–0 after beating Iowa State 31–17, but another sluggish third quarter leaves plenty to discuss. Wayshawn Parker powered the win in Ames—so how close are the Utes to putting together a complete game?

Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett break down Parker’s standout performance, the offensive line’s progress and Devon Dampier’s improvement as a downfield passer. They also examine Iowa State’s second-half adjustments, Utah’s need for more pressure from its four-man rush and what the Utes should address during the bye.

Plus, our updated Big 12 Week 4 Power Rankings: Why Utah holds the top spot over BYU and Texas Tech, what Cincinnati’s win over Kansas State changes, and how Oklahoma State and Houston fit into the contender conversation.

In this episode:
• The Ames experience and Iowa State’s welcoming fans
• Parker’s big day and Big 12 weekly honors
• Kelvin Obot, improved run blocking and the work still ahead
• Dampier’s deep-ball growth and Utah’s third-quarter struggles
• Defensive adjustments, tackling and the pass rush
• Our full Big 12 countdown from No. 16 to No. 1

Who belongs at No. 1 in the Big 12—and what is Utah’s biggest bye-week priority? Leave your take in the comments and subscribe to Utah Blockcast for more Utah football analysis.

#UtahFootball #Big12Football #UtahBlockcast

Utah is 4-0 after a 31-17 win at Iowa State, and Wayshawn Parker was the difference. He piled up 239 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns, from a 54-yard run on Utah’s first snap to the fourth-quarter score that put the game away.

In this postgame Utah Blockcast, we break down Parker’s performance, the offensive line’s progress, Devon Dampier’s sharp first half and Utah’s run defense against Aiden Flora. We also get into the uncomfortable part: how a 24-3 halftime lead shrank to 24-17, what Iowa State found against Utah’s man coverage, and why the offense went quiet in the third quarter.

Morgan Scalley said the Utes needed to face adversity. We discuss what their response showed and what they need to clean up heading into the bye week.

Subscribe for more Utah football coverage, and tell us your biggest takeaway from Ames in the comments.

#UtahFootball #UtahUtes #Big12Football #UtahBlockcast

From a rainy, empty Jack Trice Stadium the day before kickoff, KSL Sports' Steve Bartle previews Utah's first true road game under Morgan Scalley — a Big 12 opener against Iowa State — where a mist-and-drizzle forecast, a hostile 61,000-seat whiteout, and two coaches in their conference debut push the game onto the details.

The preview develops in the order Bartle takes it: the setting, then the Utah offense (Dampier and the run to the edge), then the Utah defense against Jaylen Raynor and Iowa State's edge run and shot-play passing, closing with his rapid-fire over/unders and a final score.

Utah opens Big 12 play in Ames for its first road game under Morgan Scalley. Alec Busse of CycloneAlert joins the Utah Blockcast to break down what the Utes will face against Iowa State.

We discuss Jimmy Rogers’ first three games, the Cyclones’ more aggressive defense, their emerging run game and the questions surrounding their passing attack. We also look at how Iowa State’s front matches up with Utah’s rebuilt offensive line, what Devon Dampier could see in coverage and how the weather might shape the game.
For Utah fans making the trip, Alec shares his Ames food recommendations and what to expect at Jack Trice Stadium—including the “Juicy Wiggle.”

 #GoUtes #UtahFootball #UtahBlockcast #KSLSports