The Utah Blockcast

Has Utah become the team to beat in the Big 12? Brett Ciancia of Pick Six Previews joins Steve Bartle to explain why he has the Utes favored in every remaining game—and why he sees Utah and BYU meeting in the Big 12 championship game. We break down Utah’s offensive line, Devon Dampier’s development, Wayshawn Parker’s emergence and the defensive improvement driving a 5–0 start. Plus, Brett identifies the key advantages against Colorado and weighs in on Notre Dame–BYU, Houston–Oklahoma State and the proposed 24-team College Football Playoff. Then it’s time for the Blockcast Mailbag: Steve updates his season prediction, discusses Parker’s Heisman potential and tackles questions about Utah’s pass rush, forcing turnovers, NIL and playoff expansion. And yes, there’s room for chicken sandwiches and one questionable business proposal. CHAPTERS0:00 Welcome to Utah Blockcast1:52 Brett Ciancia joins the show3:52 Why Utah has exceeded expectations8:03 Devon Dampier’s growth and Wayshawn Parker’s rise10:54 Utah’s defensive improvement12:53 Utah–Colorado: Key matchup advantages15:26 Is Utah the Big 12 favorite?18:39 Big 12 risers, fallers and contenders22:36 Notre Dame–BYU and Houston–Oklahoma State25:56 The 24-team playoff debate29:34 A Utah–BYU Big 12 championship game?33:27 Mailbag: Updating Utah’s season prediction35:50 Parker’s Heisman potential38:30 Pressure adjustments and pass-rush concerns44:36 Punching the ball out and avoiding an upset46:11 NIL payments, revenue sharing and taxes49:07 What playoff expansion could mean for Utah55:36 Chicken sandwiches and “Remains to Be Seen” Send your mailbag questions to [email protected]. Subscribe for Utah football analysis, interviews, game previews and postgame reactions with Steve Bartle and the Utah Blockcast. #UtahFootball #UtahUtes #UtahBlockcast

Utah football is undefeated, but the Utes still have room to grow. What needs to improve for Morgan Scalley’s team to turn a strong start into a special season? Steve Bartle opens with a look at Utah’s bigger picture: balancing legitimate concerns with the progress, adjustments and responses that shape a season. The Kansas win offered examples of both—and Utah now has to show it learned from them. Then, Bill Riley, the voice of the Utes, joins the Utah Blockcast to discuss: • Kevin McGiven’s versatile offense and Devon Dampier’s development• Wayshawn Parker’s emergence and Utah’s growing collection of playmakers• Jordan Gross and an offensive line exceeding expectations• Utah’s improved run defense and the next step for its pass rush• Byrd Ficklin’s unique role and Nate Ritchie’s valuable presence• Colorado, the road ahead and the potential stakes of Utah–BYU Plus, Bill explains why he’s sticking with his preseason prediction of an 8–0 Utah team heading into the rivalry game. Subscribe for more Utah football and basketball coverage from Steve Bartle and KSL Sports. #UtahFootball #UtahUtes #GoUtes #Big12Football #UtahBlockcast

Utah beat Kansas 41-24, but what did we learn after further review? We break down Wayshawn Parker’s impact, Devon Dampier’s uneven performance, and the defensive tradeoff between containing Isaiah Marshall and creating pressure. Plus, how should we weigh Utah’s week-to-week mistakes against its development over the full season? The Utes keep winning, but where do they need to get better? We also recap Week 6 around the Big 12 and update our Utah Blockcast Power Rankings, debating the contenders, biggest movers, and Utah’s place at the top. Drop your take in the comments: After the Kansas win, do you feel better, worse, or the same about Utah? Subscribe for more Utah football analysis, Big 12 discussion, and Utah Blockcast episodes. #UtahFootball #GoUtes #Big12 #UtahBlockcast

Utah football is 4-0, ranked No. 12 nationally, and looking like a legitimate Big 12 championship contender. Coming out of the bye week, can the Utes keep rolling against Kansas? Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett are LIVE to preview Saturday night's whiteout matchup at Rice-Eccles Stadium. We'll break down Kansas' biggest threats, Utah's offensive line, how Devon Dampier and Wayshawn Parker can attack the Jayhawks, and what to expect from the Utes' defense. Plus, reactions to Utah's new hand-painted helmets, a look around the Big 12, and rapid-fire over/unders and score predictions. Join the conversation LIVE and let us know what you expect Saturday night! #UtahFootball #GoUtes #Big12Football #UtahBlockcast

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

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.

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 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

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

Utah football improved to 3-0 with a 33-0 shutout of Utah State, but the final score doesn’t tell the entire story. Steve Bartle and Josh Bennett break down Devon Dampier’s impressive decision-making, Braden Pegan’s breakout performance and why Utah struggled to generate consistent movement in the run game. Was the offensive line the problem, or did Utah State’s aggressive defensive approach deserve more credit? They also examine another dominant performance from Utah’s defense, the emergence of Rabbit Evans and a linebacker group that continues to exceed expectations. Then, it’s time for the Utah Blockcast Big 12 Power Rankings. Utah, BYU and Texas Tech lead the championship conversation—but which team has earned the No. 1 spot through three weeks? Topics include: • What Utah learned from its uneven running game• Dampier’s throws and rapid decision-making• Pegan’s emergence as a featured target• Rabbit Evans and Utah’s defensive depth• The Big 12’s contenders, risers and frauds• An early look toward Utah’s trip to Iowa State #UtahFootball #GoUtes #Big12Football #UtahBlockcast

Utah football’s 2–0 start has supplied reasons to believe the Utes can contend in the Big 12. Which early developments deserve the most confidence—and what still needs to improve? Steve Bartle breaks down what Utah has shown against Idaho and Arkansas, starting with an offensive line that has exceeded expectations and an offense giving Devon Dampier more help. Wayshawn Parker’s emergence as a complete offensive weapon, Noah Bennee’s breakout and Kevin McGiven’s emphasis on creating space have made the Utes a different kind of challenge. On defense, Johnathan Hall and Jireh Moe are providing important answers, a deeper rotation is helping Utah up front, and the secondary is giving Steve a reason to buy in. In this episode:• Why the offensive line has changed Utah’s outlook• How Utah is creating more yards after the catch• What makes Wayshawn Parker’s start so impressive• Hall, Moe and the encouraging run defense• Why Steve trusts Utah’s secondary—even with tougher passing offenses ahead• What Utah needs from its wide receivers against Utah State Which Utah player or position group has earned your confidence through two games? Leave your answer in the comments, and subscribe for more Utah Blockcast coverage from KSL Sports. #UtahFootball #UtahUtes #UtahBlockcast

Utah’s offense is off to an explosive start, and the Utes believe there is still plenty more to come. Wayshawn Parker, Byrd Ficklin, running backs coach Mark Atuaia and tight end Noah Bennee met with the media Monday as Utah turns its attention toward an in-state matchup with Utah State. Parker discussed his six-touchdown start, his growing role in the passing game and the promise he made to Ficklin before their 51-yard connection against Arkansas. Ficklin broke down Utah’s versatile offensive packages, his relationship with Devon Dampier and why the Utes are so comfortable moving quarterbacks, running backs and receivers all over the formation. Atuaia discussed Parker’s development, Daniel Bray’s growing role and Utah’s talented running back room, while Bennee reflected on his breakout performance against Arkansas and what it means to play Utah State as a lifelong Utah fan. Subscribe to KSL Sports and Utah Blockcast for more Utah football coverage throughout the 2026 season.